We Have been togeather 5+yrs, have 6 children between us and as you can imagine almost no money. Our Love may be infinate but our wallets are near non existant.
As we are still as deeply & madly "In-Love" with eachother now, as the day we realised our love was true...more so even... We want nothing but the best for eachother, but the basics of providing all we can for our family makes planning even a small wedding look more and more like a pipe dream. Some one out there must know a way to have a great wedding for pennies (so to speak). All thoughts and sudgestions are welcome.
2006-10-24 15:47:06 · 25 answers · asked by bdm_2k2 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Choose only the aspects that are important to you, but be sure not to commit any fatal etiquette errors.
2006-10-24 16:02:41 · answer #1 · answered by treday25 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This will sound crazy, but my wife and I didn't have a whole wad of cash to spend on a big wedding and wouldn't have even if we had been rich. We loved the idea of a small wedding, so we gathered 5 of our best friends, headed to a vineyard and got married outside in our parkas on a sunny Saturday morning. The minister cost us about $70, the flowers $50, and dinner... well, that was pricey, but for 7 people, didn't put us in debt forever. Of course, all this took some advance planning, but it was dirt cheap compared to the $25,000 events some of my family members have had and which I was not interested in. The point of this is that you can make the most wonderful wedding happen in the unlikeliest of places with the people you love most and it doesn't have to cost much at all. In fact, consider a potluck meal and a silly theme: everyone has to wear a tutu instead of an expensive gown or tux. The possibilities are limitless. What's important is you, your spouse-to-be and sharing an incredible moment with those you love. It has nothing to do with money or impressing people. Trust me: you will remember it forever, and so will your guests. In fact, mine keep reminding me how our wedding was the coolest they'd ever attended!
Good luck and go for it!
2006-10-24 16:33:03 · answer #2 · answered by Kwyjibo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, been there done that and only had two months to plan it too.
Look at your local library for these books.If they don't have them, ask if they can borrow them from another library They are great!!
1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding
by Sharon Naylor
The Everything Wedding Book:
The Ultimate Guide to Planning the Wedding of Your Dreams
by Shelly Hagen
How to Plan an Elegant Wedding in 6 Months or Less: Achieving Your Dream Wedding When Time Is of the Essence
by Sharon Naylor
The Everything Weddings on a Budget Book: Create the Wedding of Your Dreams and Have Money Left for the Honeymoon.
by Barbara Cameron
2006-10-24 16:22:12 · answer #3 · answered by merrymeet2005 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you both want is something special you can remember, right?I planned my own wedding. Michaels has all kinds of really cheap fun things like the little bottles of bubbles with doves and other things as decoration. Have people blow bubbles at the end instead of throwing rice which isn't good for birds anyway.Having other people bring the food is a good idea.You can make your own invitations or find someone you know who would be willing to do calligraphy for invitations as a wedding gift.Craft stores carry a real nice variety of paper that would be elegant and not nearly as expensive as ordering pre-made invitations. I even found gold sealing wax and stamps with our initial for like $10 to seal our invitations.You can make small packets of candy wrapped in colored saran wrap with colored ribbon or cord as small gifts for the guests. Designate a few people you trust to take pictures throughout the ceremony so that between them all,you'll get most of the important stuff,even if you use disposable cameras. You could use pictures of the two of you or even the whole family as centerpieces.If you have a supportive family..ask them for ideas and help. They would probably love to be involved and they know you better than anyone here. A park by the water might be nice as long as there's a covered area in case it rains. That way the kids won't go crazy with boredom as it starts to wind down. Belive it or not...the expensive extras won't be missed.All you really need for a celebration is people you care about to be there. Most of the great memories will be the way you looked at each other when...and what so and so said after a couple of drinks,or what one of the kids did right in the middle of it. I pray that it ends up being everything you both hope for and more.
2006-10-24 18:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by madame_emperess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get married as a family.
You, your fiance, and your kids. Oh and the minister, of course! Get married in a church, on a beach, on a mountain side, by a river, etc.
THEN instead of having a huge party, have a nice get-together with friends and family to celebrate. You can even celebrate at a park and ask a few key people to help you provide food.
Basically, it's not about the money. You could elope, but you also could just do something personal for YOUR family.
2006-10-24 16:30:34 · answer #5 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make it a very intimate gathering (close friends and close family), at your home, or the home of someone close. Have a pot-luck, and if someone is a great baker in your family, ask them to bake the cake. Flowers can be purchased inexpensively at the local grocery store (I know that sounds tacky, but you don't have to have an elaborate bouquet to be romantic), music can be provided by CD's (and you and your hubby to be can choose the songs--very romantic), An evening ceremony with candles glowing around the house (safely) can make the atmosphere really intimate. Use your imagination....not your wallet!
And remember the most important thing of all: It is not the wedding day that makes the marriage...it is all of the days and years after!
2006-10-24 16:26:39 · answer #6 · answered by littleflower_57 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is plently of ways to have an inexpensive wedding without having to rob the bank. Do you have a church that you attend? Have the cermoney and reception there. If you don't does someone have a home that would host the wedding for you. A park, the location of the wedding is one the most expensive things that you have to be concerned with. If you can find just the right spot for zero dollars or every little you got yourself a wedding.
Friends and family members can help with the food. I did a wedding for a friend of mine in Apirl. It was both their 2nd go arounds, so instead of presents and gifts, people brought food and wine. Her boss made the most awesome cajun dish. The lady that works with her brung meatballs. Her mother made relish trays. I gave her wedding glasses and wedding napkins.
We borrowed tents and had everything in her backyard. I took Christmas lights that were purple and wrapped them around the tent legs, and strung them from the tent rafters. We used flowers left from another friend's wedding to decorate with. We borrowed tables and chairs. It was beautiful. She got married right at dusk, and when the sun went down we all danced under the purple stars. You can do this and have a beautiful wedding without all the money that people just throw away. It takes some hard work, because you are going to be doing most of the work yourselves, or share it with good friends. Honey, it was so romantic, we actually spent less than $300 that included her dress, license, preacher, drinks, and rings. Oh, her new hairdo and nails. To me it was just as lovely as any other wedding I had done when I use to do weddings for a living.
Good luck, and with 6 kids, they can be your little wedding helpers. Just have fun with it, and with all that love around you, it's going to be just a perfect day for you all.
God bless us all.............
2006-10-26 04:11:23 · answer #7 · answered by totallylost 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have any friends with cabins/cottages? Getting married outside is a lot cheaper than a church and reception. Its also a lot more informal so you dont need the tuxes and 10 foot train on your dress. :) We got married on a lake and it was gorgeous. We had a back up plan for rain just in case. (tents are expensive btw)
Ebay is awesome...but buy FAR in advance. That way if the wrong colour flowers or tulle come in, you can do damage control. You can also resell your items on Ebay
Consider cupcakes rather than a wedding cake. Its the new "trend" too. ;) We paid about $50 for 100 cupcakes that a friend who did baking on the side did for us. Just 3 flavours and our initials on them. :) You dont need a cupcake tree...just a tiered cake stand looks good.
If you go to church, ask your pastor about them marrying you outside the church. a justice of the peace is also a good option. Watch out....here the average cost was $250-400 to have a JP!!! The churches said they would charge us $40 if we attended church for 8 weeks and attended a weekend retreat for couples. We arent religious so that want an option for us...but may be for you. Weddings on Fridays or Sundays are cheapest (or in the middle of the week) Pick a date WAY ahead of time (at least 6 months) for a nice sunset wedding....watch for bugs outside.
For your kids to get involves, have a sand ceremony. You can get sand at Michaels for cheap. And normal vases too. No need for the fancy ones. A search under "sand unity ceremony" will bring up some verses for you
Dont always assume a florist is the best place for flowers. Safeway here gets the SAME flowers as the fancy places and does just as good or better job. Wildflowers that are in season are a great inexpensive choice. Or carry a single rose or calla lilly, very classy and inexpensive.
I know Miss Manners will get me for this...dont pay for your guests booze. If you need to, only wine. Its great they came, but its an additional expense and worry. Here if you have alcohol at a reception they require wedding insurance in case something happens. (on top of the liquor license)
Buy all your things with some kind of credit card that gives airmiles. Pay it off right away. Then you can use the points to go somewhere.
Above all....remember why you are getting married and stick to your guns. :) Congrats!
2006-10-24 20:17:16 · answer #8 · answered by Cariad 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some EXCELLENT answers
someone already suggested a ""theme type" event.
if you want a **wedding dress** then even check out goodwill stores; or store sales for just a really nice outift that you can wear again- it is NOT necessary to spend big $$$ to still look fantastic; maybe a friend has a nice outfit that you can borrow.
when I married almost 30yrs ago we had just immediate family- siblings;parents- ceremony at court house ( city hall) & a picninc lunch in a park - total 15 people - still a memorable day & I would still do something similar if I were to re-marry;
my daughter got married 6 years ago & asked guests to pay for their own meal instead of giving them gifts. I paid for her fabiric & made her gown as well as her sisters ( bridesmaid)- they had about 50people
there are many options open to you - just think outside the square
2006-10-24 22:08:19 · answer #9 · answered by fairypelican 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can have a beautiful wedding very cheaply if you are willing to do alot of it yourself (with 6 children, you already have alot of helpers).
Utilize thrift stores and yard sales to the maximum!!! Seriously, they can be a total life saver!! You can find things that you would never have imagined being able to afford anywhere else.
Go online and find ideas for different things you want and then re-create them yourselves. Enlist family and friends to help when they go to thrift stores and yard sales...especially in different towns from where you are.
I have been helping my daughter plan her wedding renewal ceremony and we have done excellant on things!! Her wedding is going to be fabulous and we haven't spent that much money on it at all. We have only been planning it since September and it is scheduled for October 31st.
If you will email me, I can help you out alot with ideas! My address is lildragonlexiatyahoodotcom.
Perhaps we can even give you some things she has left over.
Good Luck!!
2006-10-25 16:12:22 · answer #10 · answered by lildragonlexi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did this at my wedding. Get some candles, votives or really skinny tapers. Then go to the thrift shop or garage sales and buy stemmed wine glasses. They are usually around a quarter a piece. Don't worry about matching. Then get a bag of aquarium rocks. I used black, but I think you can get them in about any color. I wouldn't recommend the multi color flourescent ones, though! :) Put those in the bottom of the glass, making sure you have enough to hold the taper candles if you use them, and you have a nice, cheap, centerpiece for tables. when the wax runs onto the rocks, it looks REALLY neat.
2006-10-24 20:34:45 · answer #11 · answered by mothermaggie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋