I need help finding a way to make a cheap wedding. Advice NEEDED DESPERATELY. Date of Wedding :02/24/ 07?

Question

I'm living in FL and I need to find a way to make this wedding nice, comfortable, fun, but CHEAP. I don't have a wedding dress or location... basically I don't have a clue where to start. I want this to be memorable but I don't want to end up having a flabby last minute thing because of lack of money. I need this to last me a lifetime (the memory, not the bills!).

Answer 1

just get married with you and your fiance, then get your parents and his parents as witnesses.

Answer 2

I would start looking for your dress and the location first. Maybe the city you live in has a park that you could rent? I know that some cities don't even charge to rent parks or gazebos. Then, for your dress, I'd try a store like David's Bridal (not sure if they have those there) but they have sales where you can get a dress for next to nothing. If not there, then maybe even Dillard's or a department store. If you have a friend that can take nice pictures and/or video, you might ask them. You'll need to figure out how many people you want to invite too. Because you have to get the invitations out at least 6 wks in advance. I would suggest keeping it small...that cuts the cost too. Fake flowers are always cheaper than real flowers, and you can ask that your bridesmaids pay for there own dresses. Maybe even choose a color or style & then they could choose their own. If your fiance has a nice suit, that would cut the cost on a tux. Also, if you could have the reception at a friend's or parent's house, then that would save money too. You might be able to convince your family to provide the food. Then, all you'd have to do is get the cakes. You also might get a wedding planning book from the bookstore. It might keep you on track.

Answer 3

Most importantly, cut that guest list! About half of your total bill will be for feeding those guests, so cut as many of them as you possibly can, and then cut a few more.

Plan a less formal wedding. The dresses, accessories, flowers, etc. are all cheaper for less formal weddings. Go for a flowy chiffon dress with a chapel train instead of a puffy princess gown with all the bells and whistles. It will still be elegant, but keep in mind that the more people you have, the more formal the event should be.

Do some legwork and compare prices for the different vendors. Have only one or two attendants to cut back on the amount you need to spend on their gifts. Make your own programs, favors, and invitations. Have a cocktails and cake reception instead of a full meal.

Finally, be realistic about what you want to cut. It might save a lot of money, but cutting the bar is a bad idea. Wedding guests expect to be given alcohol, even if it is just wine and beer.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

You don't say where in Florida, but if near a west side beach and the weather permits a crab/seafood boil and a sunset wedding is always nice. Great photo opportunities, with a fire and the sunset! Casual dress is expected.
Key West had (been years, may Still have) a boardwalk where performers and visitors gathered each evening... saw a good many casual and fun weddings and their wandering street parties there.

Depends on your location and how much is "cheap", but theme park weddings can be fun too... married on the roller-coaster, at a killer whale show, at the coral castle.... the list is near endless!

Modify the date by a few days and incorporate the wedding into a Mardi Gras celebration... Huge wedding, ready made party and the attire would be costumes!

Just think creative! What is something you both like to do and how could you incorporate it into a wedding?

Answer 5

Why are you freaking out like your house is burning down? It's only a wedding and you have half a year to plan.

One major way to save is to have your ceremony and reception at a non-meal time of day, so you don't have to serve a meal. You can have just cake and champagne, or cake and punch, or cookies and cocoa, or danishes and coffee, or just a fruit and cheese platter.

Also, try to get a bridesmaid's dress in white or ivory instead of a bridal gown. No one will know the difference and you'll save a ton of money.

You need to talk to people who are local to you and can give advice. Go to theknot.com, click TALK, then find the LOCAL discussion board for your area and ask the brides their advice on the venues and services that may fit your budget.

Also, see if you can find a cheap secondhand copy of the book Miss Manners on Weddings-- it really helps a great deal with planning and making sure all your etiquette is done right (which is very important-- you don't want to be remembered as a rude or ungracious bride!).

Answer 6

1) buy a cheap dress that is white everywhere like an all white spring lacy dress that a bridesmaid would wear.
2) go t Micheals Craft Store and buy an Archway, roses, flowers and create
3) Go to a fabric store but white netting and lace it around the archway and on white pole that are spaced out with the top of each white pole have floweres on top.
4) Have it at a really nice park, garden, or on the beach....
5) with other fabric that is white but not netted like a very long yet narrow table cloth and that is the isle.
6) use same looking chairs and put same type of cloth around it if chairs don't look nice.
7) find a good friend that can get a license to wed you.
8) Have both mothers from bride and grooms side each bake a rectangulr cake but not to big and have one bigger that the other but not taller, and tier them by placing the small on top of the bigger one in the middle, then just add frosting or coolwipe, and take reall pettles and sprinkle on and around cake, add the figurins on top of cake first.
10) bare feet

Answer 7

I personally lent my wedding dress to three other women who got married with great pleasure. Maybe you could find a preword dress or one that a friend used - this would really help. Instead of limos, after the ceremony try an old fashioned car that maybe a friend has or can be rented. They are usually cheaper and may actually be easier to get in and out of with a dress! Also, you could have your wedding at an odd time so that dinner isn't required for the reception. Good luck!

Answer 8

Try the beach if your near one. If not try finding a nice Bed and Breakfast. Alot of times they a have a garden area and not too expensive. Or try finding on the wedding chapels. They do all inclusive things. It includes flowers cake minister everything. Lots of different packages to choose from. You don't need an expensive dress either. Find someone who can sew and have it made. But keep it simple. If all else fail go to the courthouse and get married by a JP and then have a party at your place or somewhere else that's nice.

Answer 9

Start by doing some brainstorming. Write down all the things that just scream wedding to you. Then, go thru and rank them in order of importance. Jot down how much you'd like to spend on each item. (If you need help finding things in a price range, post a question to help find sources) After you have that done, start brainstorming on things both you and your fiance love. This will help you develop a theme and colors. Once this brainstorming is done, start looking for the dress. Your dress will start the whole ball rolling and help you decide which theme is best. Once you have your dress, pick your bridesmaid dresses. Find out what colors they come in pick from those colors for your wedding colors. Then you need to decide on a locale. I'd check out several of the local wedding chapels in your area. They are used to planning weddings, they have all the supplies needed and the packages usually start out quite inexpensively. If you opt to find a location, get started on it now by gathering ideas and prices. Look at botanical gardens (you'll spend less on decorations), local parks and smaller conenvention venues. Then start booking the officiant, photographer, muscians and florist. When you visit your florist take a picture of your dress, the bridesmaid dresses and pictures of the site you've chosen. They will help guide you to the flowers that will work best. Give them a budget of the max you are willing to spend and see what they can do for that price. Surf the internet for pictures of cakes. Call your local community college and ask for them to refer alumni (you can do this with the photography as well to save some money) Move on to your invitations - pick something that conveys the spirit of the wedding... After that, things should begin to roll for you. I'd suggest posting more specific questions as you go eg: "help with inexpensive centerpieces" and list your theme and colors, "help with inexpensive favors" and list your theme and colors, etc. You've got a lot of help out here, just be specific about your needs.

Good luck, sweetie! You'll do a great job!

Answer 10

Most of the landscaping in Florida is nice. My sister lives in Miami and she decided to marry in like 24 hours no dress or anything... We just went to the beach. One of my uncles got his license to ordain online and he did the wedding, she had like a really nice white tube top spring dress, her husband wore some khaki shorts and a dress shirt.. they were both barefoot just as the sun was going down. VERY ROMANTIC! At the most they spent like $300 bucks and that was for the certificate, and my uncle to be ordained. To have your wedding on the beach is free. Hopes this helps... If all else fails you can go to the courthouse.

There's this book called the "Stress-free Guide to Wedding Planners" by Judy Allen.. It costs about $20 bucks but I use it now and you can stick clipping and stuff in it.. very helpful.

Hope this helps.

Answer 11

first you better find a place to have the reception. club house somewhere that you can rent?? we made most of our own food so the cost was minimal. how about a park and do a bbq have a softball game. of a jpark with a gazebo for dancing. use a dj alot cheaper than a band or else have someone you know dj for you. serve just beer and pop and coffee anything else they bring there own. do early afternoon wedding at the beach.