I am doing it all by myself. Boyfriend and bestfriend are both helping but that is it. We have a small pay as you go budget and we are doing everything we can ourselfs but we don't want our wedding to look trashy. Any suggestions on where to find things cheeply or how to stretch a dollar will help a ton!
2006-08-22 13:03:47 · 14 answers · asked by Sarah G 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I planned a beautiful, low cost wedding in five weeks.
Dress - White formal $180.00
Bridesmaids dresses - Had them wear pretty formal dresses they already owned. No one matched.
Flowers - Roses from Costco. We made the corsages the night before.
Pictures - Had friends take photos. Black and whites a must as well as color.
I say splurge on the honeymoon if you have any cash at all!
2006-08-22 14:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to stretch your dollar is by doing just a bit of research.
Save your weekends for estate sales, also known as yard sales. You can purchase many items that may still be new at a fraction of the cost. You can find everything from candles, flowers, and even wedding dresses. Also look in the paper for different items for sale. When couples break up (Sorry to bring that up but it does happen) the savings is passed on to you because they just want to get rid of the items.
Check your local thrift stores they are always receiving items on a daily basis.
Talk to your local vendors and see if they will give you a discount if you advertise their company. Some might even give you the service free of charge or next to nothing if you are having a larger wedding.
The most romantic weddings that I have attended have all been outdoors. I am a Wedding Officiant and the beach, lakeside, or even a backyard garden make for the most romantic places to become husband and wife.
Talk to your friends and family see what ideas they have and where they can help. You will never unleash the hidden talents of others if you don't ask! We once had a ceremony where the aunt baked the wedding cake, who knew many years ago she worked in a gourmet bakery and used to design wedding cakes?!?!?!
You may also want to check your local college/trade schools to purchase your wedding cake or even hire a photographer. Some of the students do it as a "side job" for a fraction of the cost and most likely because they are learning the latest techniques their photos are going to be top quality. If you cannot afford to hire someone I've found those little disposible cameras that you purchase at Wal-Mart turn out some beautiful photos.
Be careful of any online auction site if you are going to purchase fabric because of one word "ODORS". Sellers do not always and may not be able to smell an odor lurking in the fabric but someone that has a sensitive nose does. If you are considering purchasing online ask every question that you need to and don't feel like it is a stupid question. The seller is there for customer serivce and you get what you pay for. Ask if it has any odors, any holes, burn marks, ripped stitiching - go the extra mile on your questions. I've learned that from purchasing online.
My last piece of advice, spend as little money as possible on your wedding and save it as the down payment on your house! You'll be happy that you did because your investment will only grow and will last a lifetime along with your marriage.
2006-08-22 21:56:46 · answer #2 · answered by weddingsforall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you should do is work on major details: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Who: Who is going to be in your wedding party?, who are you going to invite?, who is going to officiate? Who is going to pay?
What: What is the theme? What level of formality? What is a must and what can you live without? What is you budget?
Where: Where is the ceremony? Where is the reception? Where is your honeymoon?
When: What date? What time?
Why: Why do you want to get married? This is the premarital counseling stuff which I highly recommend. Don't get so excited about your wedding that you forget about your marriage.
Then start looking for deals. Ebay, Target, and the dollar store are great for favors, dresses, and decoration. If you are talented, buy flowers wholesale and do them yourself (or get your bridesmaids to). For a cake, go to your supermarket bakery and get a 1/2 sheet cake, 1/4 sheet cake, and 1/8 sheet cake. Have them layered on each other and they will decorate them for free. Make sure you explain what it is for and bring a platter to put it on. You can always put flowers on it for decoration.For a 100 person wedding you can get the cake for $50 or less.
For a dress see if you can borrow one or jazz up a prom dress (I saw a bunch of white ones at Fashion Bug today). Bridesmaids don't have to match, just be nice.
Food is the least expensive when you get it take out from a local restuaruant or make it yourself and serve it buffet style. Ziti and a salad with garlic bread can be less that $1 a person.
Print your own invitations if you have a high quality printer, or get them made at Kinkos.
Congratulations again and Good Luck!
2006-08-22 20:31:57 · answer #3 · answered by emp04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey the only thing needed for a wedding is ur guy and the ring lol. As for the extras, priest if u know of 1 maybe since childhood ask if he can do u the favor after mass, and i recommend u say ur own vows, makes it more special and memorable. even though u don't have the money it can still be the happiest memory ever. ur b/f can b ur M.O.H and wear a really nice dress she already has and with $10 u can buy a bouquet of red roses which always speaks elegance :). Reception, invite only who you must family n closest friends. Maybe though an outdoor bbq u cook or every1 brings a plate.Oh and balloon and a couple of bouquets of roses can dress ne place up.ivory and gold r very elegant.as for honeymoon go from fri-sun,the first night is usually the most important. it's not trashy it's simple. just remember there's always the renewal of vows....a way to really go all out and make up for whatever u feel u missed out on.but honey wats more important is just hoding the man of ur dreams n knowing thats where he'll always b,good luck 2 u both. if having a big wdding is really important to you than i say wait,u have the rest of ur lives,but i say go simple and look forward to the honeymoon and ur new furture bye.
2006-08-22 20:27:47 · answer #4 · answered by Princess M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can have a beautiful simple wedding, that is affordable. Here are some ideas, I hope they help:
Check around the town you live in & find someone who will bake your wedding cake, don't go to a bakery or to a store, they are always over priced. If you can't find anyone, maybe you have a friend who would be willing to make you a nice wedding cake.
Go to a $1 store and buy your paper plates, plastic silverware, and cups.Possibly even your table clothes, if they have something you like.
Check local thrift stores for flower vases, some stores have quit a variety of glassware & it is so cheap.
Visit several flower shops for your flowers. Ask around in your family and find out if anyone knows anyone who works in a flower shop or even owns a flower shop. You could get your flowers half price or even free.
Buy all your decorations yourself and have your family and friends help you decorate...if you use colors you like, you can even re-use the items in your first home. I know places like Michaels, and Walmart have a nice variety of swags and flower arrangements at reasonable prices.
Hope this helps. Good Luck!
2006-08-22 22:21:21 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I did with my sister. Look thru some wedding books to get some ideas.
On your computer create you own invitations, Thank you cards etc. Buy some good paper & envelopes. (wedding supply store) Use the fancy cut shears.
You can get the little gold rings for the thank you cards at http://www.ustoy.com
Ask someone in the family or you can make your own table decorations. Something simple and cute that is along your theme. Check the books to get some ideas.
You can also make your own bouquets or have someone in the family to do it.
The key is looking at examples and copying as close as possible or to your liking.
2006-08-22 20:15:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of hiring a band, try to find someone you know that's in one or maybe you can get someone to play for free. Don't rent a place, have it outside or someone you know should be able to get a place for free. Have your family make the food and cake. Walmart has some cute wedding stuff for pretty cheap. For flowers, maybe someone you know has a garden and would give you some, or if you have enough time you could grow your own. Feel free to IM me and I'll try to give you more ideas as they come along.
2006-08-22 20:11:47 · answer #7 · answered by renee1724 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bride, Groom, Justice of the Peace, and then the money you save can to for a little trip! The honeymoon is the most important part of a wedding after all! :-) Congratulations, by the way!
2006-08-22 20:07:08 · answer #8 · answered by sweetpea 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would try and do alot of the little things myself.Like makeing the wedding cake or do wedding cupcakes. they are cheap and you can do them yourself.use silk flowers instead of real ones because they cost less than real ones do.go do a dollor store and get some things cause you can find nice things there.and get more there for you're dollor.good luck and i hope this helps
2006-08-22 20:17:18 · answer #9 · answered by Angel sent from heaven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as you love each other you have it all right in the palm of your hand you don't have to be rich to have a nice wedding you can look in your local news paper for wedding dresses and suits sometime you may luck up and tell someone your situation and they may even give you the dress ,craft shops are cheap places to buy flowers for your bouquet good luck and i am sure your wedding will be perfect
2006-08-22 20:10:46 · answer #10 · answered by sclady62001p 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋