How do i have a great wedding for cheap?

Question

I am getting married next year, but i am having to pay for it myself b/c my father passed away in march and neither of my parents were saving up for me. if anyone knows of any really good deal or places to have a great wedding please let me know. anything, from wedding dresses to the ceremony and reception itself. i really dont have much help so need as much as possible

Answer 1

SECOND HAND STORES!!! I had a BEAUTIFUL wedding, can send you pictures if you want. We had no money either and were on a very very tight budget. I can send you pictures if you'd like to show you just how beautiful my dress and bridesmaids dresses were. I went to second hand stores all over, found the dresses AND tuxes. As for my invites, i printed them all on the computer and they looked awesome. I did buy the special paper for it though to have them printed on. i think all otgether for the dresses, tuxes, and flower girls dresses which were 7 dresses all together including mine, and 5 tuxes i spent right at 130.00
My cake was done by a friend of a friend, and my boquet i did myself, i also bought silk flowers at Goodwill for almost nothing same with the lace and beads i used in it i can send you all the pics of the things so you can see. And i by NO MEANS had a clue as to what i was doing when i started it either! I now do it for others whoa re getting married. My attendants carried single stem flowers which were real but you don't have to have real ones. The flower girls had baskets which i got at a second hand store and i put ribbon on them for some accent and shredded up the flower petals i had left from making the boquet.
As for food, at our reception we just made up a bunch of meat trays, vegetable trays, chips, drinks. There are tons and tons of ways to cut corners money wise. If you are interested at all feel free to mail me and i will help as much as i can!

Answer 2

Keep the guest list small, first of all. That will open up more venues for ceremonies and receptions. If you aren't very religious, considering having the ceremony and the reception in the same location and either have guests sit at pre-set tables while the ceremony occurs, or have friends assist in setting out tables and chairs for dinner.

Cut back on flowers, decorations and see what you already have around the house. Keep the number in the bridal party small, and keep an eye out for sales at bridal stories in your hometown. Consider buying something off the rack, which is cheaper than ordering it brand new.

Anything from hand-made invitations to handmade decorations to making your dinner potluck are all ways to cut back on money but still have a wonderful wedding. Original ideas for your reception and ceremony will more than make up for the lack of money you are obviously concerned about.

Answer 3

I am having to pay for alot of my own wedding so I completely understand. I got ideas from the bridal magazines and then just really shopped around. I found the dress at a bridal shop but the lady took $100 off because I told her how much I loved it but that it was little too much for me. Get your shoes at Ross or Marshalls. Make your own bouqets and the bridesmaids can pay for their own dresses. To save $$ on the reception just have an cocktail reception with appetizers and punch (you can do yourself or go to sams). Also, ebay can be your best friend at this time. Good Luck and congratulations!

Answer 4

I just got married in March and was in the same situation. I found nearly everything I needed on eBay for super cheap. You can even have your invites made on there. There are wedding dress consignment shops or you could rent. Enlist all the help you can get. I even made my wedding CD and just put the songs in order to what was happening at the time ie walking down the isle, reception, first dance etc.

Answer 5

- check out hobby lobby when their wedding stuff goes on sale!!
- if possible keep the wedding party small (this saves on $ for gifts, bouquets etc.)
- rent your dress. If you're set on buying one and don't mind try getting it online. Designer dresses are often half the price than in the bridal shops
- enlist as many family friends as possible to help with food. Get the food at Sam's and have someone prepare it for you.
- as far as location, do you know someone who's home is on a beautiful piece of land? They would let you do it for free and you could rent chairs.
- decorations: use silk flowers and lots of candles. Candles are cheaper and still make the wedding look elegant. Also for the reception try finding small some clear glasses fill them half full of water and place a fstemmed slower in the glass
- cheapo favors: bubbles
- invies: walmart and hobby lobby have pretty ones you can do yourself
- cake- sams? i am having a friend from church make mine...paying for ingredients only
- tuxes- afterhours

good luck!

Answer 6

do not get a wedding planner or director, you know what you want and how you want it.get family members and friends to cook the food for you. try places like the american legion or a family members yard. yard wedding are nice because you don,t have to have really ant decorations especially in springtime.wedding favors and decorations go to ebay you will be amazed by all the items you can get. Also dresses, go to jcpenney.com or chadwicks.com click on clearance. or either pick out your color give a piece of fabric to all the bridesmaid and let them find there own dress. RENT YOUR TUXEDOS! Make your own invitations on the computer.(microsoft works can be your best friend)

Answer 7

Well I think u have to plan every tiny little detail to get it cheap!! Make your budget first, then make your wish list going with your budget! If it is in the summer, a nice backyard would do nice, wedding dresses ...well if u don't have to order them in they are a LOT cheaper!! mostly on sale after Christmas!! Depends on where u live. Best of Luck.

Answer 8

I am getting married in March, and doing all of my own flowers. The knot.com shows you how to assemble boquets and boutineers, arrangements, and centerpieces!

http://www.freshroses.com/

Register for groomsmen tuxes at afterhours, they have a 2 for 1 special on honeymoon cruises if you use them for groomsmen. Odd but true. There's a hawaii one that looks pretty good.

Michael's craft store has wedding DIY books for all the extras. Use a friend's backyard, and haggle for prices on everything. The vendors are used to it so don't be afraid.

Answer 9

If your area has a nice park ( with a pavillion ) you can see if you can get it for the day of your wedding & have it there, You have to ask in advance though, alot of these places are booked way in advance. If you have a friend whose a volenteer fireman or auxillery member, they usually allow members the use of their hall, for free.Prepair the food yourself ( with the help of your family & friends ) I did this I had a buffet type dinner & a disc jockey, champagne, beer & wine A wedding cake, & pleanty of family & friends & it cost about $1200.00 ( for everything)

Answer 10

The best thing you can do is make most of the things yourself...from favors to decor, just be creative! You can get a dress from David's Bridal fairly cheap, under $1,000, and your bridesmaids can get their attire there as well! Good luck!