I am getting married next year..how can I do it cheap?

Question

I am getting married next year date not set...but I am starting the planning now...it is my second marriage...and my only concern for cheap is bridesmaid and bridal dresses...my dress will be a champagne color, and the girls a hydrangea blue or champagne with accents...where can I go for cheap..I live in texas...1.5 hrs from dallas! thanks

Answer 1

Look for Bridal "trunk shows" GREAT deals on designer wedding dresses.

Do you have a date? Friday weddings are cheaper than Sat. weddings.

Answer 2

The first way to cut your wedding cost is to get married in the "off season" (Nov - March). Next, find photographer who will give you the film rolls undeveloped and let you do the developing yourself. Let the bridesmaids pick their own champagne colored dresses, so you can be assured that they will look great and be affordable. Or, look for a seamstress who can make your dress and the bridemaid dresses from scratch and at a flat rate.

Get a "wedding web site" (they're free at www.weddingchannel.com), and use it to send out email save-the-date cards and as a place for guests to RSVP. This will save on postage and RSVP cards. You can also notify guests where you are registered at on this web site without putting that information into an invitation (and equating the guest with the gift).

For your wedding cake, get a nice two or three layered cake from a good bakery and take your pictures around that one. Then, serve the guests sheet cakes from your local grocery store. It's all done "behind the scenes" so no one will know the difference.

Don't do favors, no one needs almonds.
Opt for an Italian Soda bar instead of alcohol.
Have a pot-luck rehearsal dinner.

Have a great wedding!!!
Susie

Answer 3

Here are the tips I tell almost everyone I know (everyone loved our wedding so we get lots of info requests). You asked about just dresses, but these can help almost anyone:

1) Spend your money where it counts! Book your venue (often with in-house caterer), photographer and flowers as early as possible. If you have extra money after that, THEN buy little extras such as favors (which are not necessary!) Don't let people talk you into useless stuff you do not need!
2) Go to a smaller, family-owned bridal shop with a fair selection. I found that these smaller bridal salons won't pressure you as much to buy everything from them, and even though some of the gowns aren't "this season" who cares, and who will know???
3) EBay is your friend! I bought most of my decor that way.
4) Go with a venue that will stand alone without a lot of decoration. We got married at a nature preserve--lots of white votives and some potted ferns were really all we needed!
5) Get a package deal and have it all in one place! Trust me, it is easier on you and your guests. Your guests can have drinks while you get your photos taken and you don't have to travel to get to yur reception.
6) Look for a photographer who will just give you your proofs on cd with full rights and doesn't make you buy their prints, which are often expensive.
7) When looking for venues, look beyond the typical banquet halls that are often overpriced. Check out nature preserves (ours was at a nature center on the grounds of a historic house) and parks, civic centers, museums, historic houses, etc.
8) Use in-season flowers--they are cheaper and don't have to be imported from far-off locations. Also, sometimes hand-tied bouquets are less labor intensive and therefore cost less.
9) Give your bridesmaids a color swatch and let them choose their own style dresses in that color. It looks really cute and they can get something they can truly wear again. It sounds funny, but try the end of prom and homecoming season at department stores for off-the-rack dresses!
10) Start buying attendant and parent gifts early to spread out the cost.
11) Keep your bridal party small if possible...don't feel like you have to include all your friends and family. I had one bridemaid and my husband had two groomsmen and it was great--so simple and fun.
12) Skip the limo. We rented a Lincoln Towncar, which was a lot less expensive, but still looked nice. We simply dropped it off at the airport when we left the next day for our honeymoon.


That is all I can think of for now! Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The dresses can be very expensive. When I got married, I found a dressmaker. We selected a pattern for my dress and another for the bridesmaids', then I purchased the fabric when it was on a good sale.

My dress cost about $85, and the bridesmaids paid $35 each for their dresses. The reason they paid for their dresses was that I involved them in the color, fabric, and pattern selection to ensure that it'd be a dress they would wear for other occasions. Or you might consider making the dress their bridesmaids' gifts, and saving yourself money that way.

Answer 5

search on ebay for your dresses and decorations and such...try an outside wedding at a location that is free...we got married outside my mother-in-law's house (beautiful country yard). We borrowed the chairs from a local church and the tables. You can have a cookout and have some of your guest bring their "most famous" dish and have them include the recipe where you can put together a little cookbook and maybe send out as a thank you. After our wedding we planted a wisteria bush on the spot that we got married. You can start freezing meat now for your cookout instead of buying it all at once...if you have a large enough freezer or know somebody who does.

Answer 6

Look around online...I went to eBay and got my gown for $150 with shipping (I've seen cheaper ones too.) My bridesmaid dresses I got at David's Bridal on clearance for $39.99 each on clearance. My advice...don't jump in to something (unless if its a great deal.) look around. Be patient.

Answer 7

David's Bridal has a huge selection of dresses starting at 100.00 dollars.

Answer 8

David's bridal
Ebay

Check out stores like JCPenny's and different chains to save your girls some money on a dress....if it's their second time being in the wedding!!

Answer 9

I too married with a BUDGET (do not say CHEAP). My girls bought their dresses at SEARS and DEB'S. Especially look AFTER Prom or Homecoming...they have a large assortment. Also.....find people to help with MAKING the INVITATIONS...FLOWERS....CAKE....MUSIC at RECEPTION.... and of course the FOOD. This WILL save you a lot of money and time. GOOD LUCK to you......(oh.....I borrowed my sisters old wedding dress too).

Answer 10

My first response was to elope. cheapest thing to do.

try eBay, Freecycle, any resale shop in town. Do you know someone who can make the dresses? How about normal cocktail dresses for the bridesmaids so they can wear them again?