My boyfriend and I are not technically engaged yet, but are planning to be engaged very soon. We are both wanting to keep it fairly low budget and simple, but don't want it to be tacky. Any bright ideas? I already have dresses, and don't want a dance-type reception, just nice dinner. But am having trouble envisioning it all. Please help.
2006-12-11 12:46:40 · 15 answers · asked by Cuppycake♥ 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Well, a home wedding can be very lovely, if your or your boyfriend's parents' house can accommodate it. Fireplaces make a wonderful backdrop, as does a nice garden spot in the yard.
You might also think about an outdoor wedding at a nicely-kept state park. Most have pavillion areas that can be decorated simply, yet tastefully, and cost very little to rent.
Finally, a number of hotels will provide you with a banquet room and homeymoon suite for free if you allow them to cater the event. You can go with a cash bar, but provide the champagne for a toast.
Use artificial flowers, and have a flower arranging party a few weeks before the wedding. (Look for ideas in magazines, and get some easy how-to books from your local library.) It's a fun time to spend with girlfriends and the women in your family, and cuts the costs of your florist bill dramatically.
I've known couples who save on photography expenses by placing disposable cameras on each table at the reception. They get some great candid shots that wouldn't normally have been caught by a professional photographer.
When I got married, I talked to a woman who's cakes were highly desireable (and very expensive!) She let me and my husband look through magazines and pick out pictures of cakes that we liked. Then, she sketched a composite picture of a custom cake based on those pictures, and gave us the sketch along with her estimate. We thanked her, told her we'd let her know, then took the sketch to the Publix (grocery store) bakery and asked if they could make a cake like it. They said they could, if we ordered the special Wilton pieces and cake topper. So we did, and got our beautiful custom cake for half the price!
Finally, you can find kits to print your own invitations from your computer in any mega store or stationary store. They are less expensive, yet are great quality invitations.
2006-12-11 13:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by LadyJag 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, when my daughter go married, we didn't have alot of money and she wasn't into a big fancy wedding either. So both families pitched in and we made all of the table decorations and church decorations. We had the reception at the American Legion Hall and everyone made a dish of food and friends of the groom played music. Everyone bought their own drinks and had a wonderful time. We also passed out those inexpensive one use cameras to everyone and asked them to take pictures. We have some pretty funny pictures to look back on. We also enlisted a friend of ours to video tape the wedding and we had copies made at the local photography studio.They did that pretty cheap. So you see if you just use your imagination and your friends and family, you can have a beautiful wedding. The main thing is that you and your fiance' are there, the preacher is there and you love one another. The rest is gravy. Good Luck and Be Happy!!!
2006-12-11 12:55:56 · answer #2 · answered by Bren 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't spend big bucks on the small stuff. So many people spend like $5-$10 per person on wedding favors and the like, which most people are going to throw out anyway. At my wedding I bought these pretty sachet bags for about ten cents apiece and filled them with fancy mints. I bought candles and glass holders and shiny gems to go in them at the dollar store, and made all my bouquets out of silk flowers. I scattered silk petals on the tables and found these wonderful love quotes on translucent paper and I put one at each spot, then saved the leftovers and put them in my photo album. I think everything I just mentioned cost me less than $100 and looked beautiful. Decide what you want; don't be afraid to Google things and find them cheapest on the Web. If you want a cheap wedding it's better to do crafts yourself than buy premade items. It will also be more meaningful to you and your guests in the future.
If you don't want dancing, you can probably save on a DJ by just getting the biggest audiophile in your family to haul out the sweet stereo system and mp3 playlist. That way you get to pick all your songs. If you want a professional photographer or DJ, don't just pick a big name. Look in the classified ads or if your area has a penny pincher type circular call people who advertise in there. I had the most wonderful photog, minister and DJ ever and I found them by calling out of the ads and the phone book randomly, and they were cheap.
Also, find a reception hall that's not where *everyone* has their weddings. It will be cheaper and way more unique and memorable.
2006-12-11 17:24:27 · answer #3 · answered by idontlikeusernames 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We found a nice venue and had a dinner only- no dancing. It cost us about $4000, but we had about 150 people there. Our reception was rather elegant.
Go visit some venues and talk with see the rooms they hold dinners in. That will help you to envision it.
2006-12-11 12:57:41 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
talk to your local churuch (or equialent, or justice of peace if you don't plan on a chruch ceremony) get that booked. use a pretty prom dress for your dress and a tiara for your hair .(prom dresses are usually cheaper than wedding dresses. or if you wanted, you can make yor own bridal dress using one of the many patterns out there) have the men wear suits (again, less expensive than tuxes, but still formal) and carry bundles of roses. book the restaurant with the number of people you want to attend ahead of time. that way you know you won't have to squabble with someone else for a table!
my sister an brother in law did this, and it was really quite nice! it was small, simple and sweet!
2006-12-12 00:01:25 · answer #5 · answered by Duelen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I was in the exact same boat when I got married 2 years ago. We got married at the city park in May. Our city park is very pretty with a big white gazebo and green grass and tons of petunias around it. But since I don't know how your park is maybe you can think of a similar place. Anyways, I bought every single decoration and accessory on ebay. (aside from clothing and shoes) I bought ivy, rose garland, rose petals for the flower girl, mini-roses for my frech twist hair style, ivory runner for the walkway, the music cd's, flower arragements for myself, my bridesmaid, flower girl, soon to be hubby, parents, and grandparents, dress clothes for my twin boys, table centerpieces, gift card wishing well, confetti, streamers, place card holders....virtually everything...on EBAY...I spent $1500 on my wedding...including rings, my dress (which i bought at a bridal shoppe, tux/shoe rentals, and all supplies for the wedding)
We spent $250 for a dinner for the guests. (about 25 or 30) at our local Moose Lodge(not sure if you have those there) Those type of places usually charge a per plate fee and it depends on how many meats you want served. Its nothing fancy, but a meal everyone enjoys..especially at a casual inexpensive wedding.
Good luck!!!
2006-12-11 17:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Purchase in season or on sale meals best. Stick with fresh produce (frozen veggies are a good alternative when on sale) and bulk grains and beans. Meat dishes usually run extra high priced, so lean toward more vegetarian dishes for your cooking repertoire. Steer clear of packaged convenience foods as they are able to cost extra and on the whole are not that healthful for you. Some low-priced meal suggestions: Veggie stir fry with rice Pasta with contemporary roasted veggies Vegetarian chili stuffed baked potatoes Omelets with cheese and salsa investigate out the web sites listed within the sources for pleasant affordable meal recommendations.
2016-08-10 01:04:48 · answer #7 · answered by jarod 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got some great ideas from this book:
Simple Stunning Weddings: Designing and Creating Your Perfect Celebration by Karen Bussen and Ellen Silverman
2006-12-11 19:53:07 · answer #8 · answered by gwenlyn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi ...there much better if you'll have it in a simple but lovely wedding in an old church like Barasoain in Malolos, Bulacan,and a dinner delight at the grooms house,with all of the closest family relatives and friends.....my aunt spend 25k,for a simple but elegant wedding together with the reception...perhaps thats the best advice i could give...
2006-12-12 01:41:10 · answer #9 · answered by mushy lingo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to the answer "Me" gave.... You don't have to have alot of money to have a nice wedding... There is nothing wrong with you asking this question.... Go to the dollar store and you can find ALOT of stuff there.... Also Walmart.... Have it in a park or back yard, buy a bunch of disposable cameras and hand them out to people you trust and have them take the pictures, ask your family to make something to eat and have a BIG potluck. CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK
2006-12-11 13:57:18 · answer #10 · answered by Ranchgirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋