Wedding planning, small budet...?

Question

I am planning my own wedding and we have no money. How can I save money on things like invitaions, flowers and reception? Please, anything will help.

Answer 1

invitations
-make them yourself, make them on the computer and print them out on some "pretty" paper.
-Handout as many as you can instead of mailing them
-Buy cheap ribbon at any store like walmart ect, to tie the invitations up.(same colour as the dresses) makes it look more expensive
- Take a picture of you and a your man and put in on the computer to put on the invitations.

Flowers
-Buy a bundle in a local grocery store, they look nice and they are cheap
-use the left over ribbon from your invitations to wrap around the flowers
-Try to have larger flowers so you dont need as many, than use greenery, which is cheaper than the actual flower to fill the bouquet.
-Have some fake if not all flowers for your bridemaids

Reception
-Dollar stores will come in handy, centre pecies, table cloths
-get a close family member just to use a regular camera to take pictures all day so you dont have to hire a proffesional
-Have your wedding girls and guys to make and bring food for a buffet

Answer 2

I would definitely have an outdoors wedding. I see someone suggested a tent, but tents can get pricy.
Tents are great for setting a mood, but they are not essential to have a great outdoor wedding. If you do have money for a tent, rent a pole tent instead of a frame tent. It looks better and if the rental company knows anything then it will also be cheaper.

Depending on where you live, I would find a place such as a public park near a beach or onthe beach. If you do not live near a beach then any public place that has a nice looking environment. Ideally you want the place you are having to have at least one angle that has a good background for pictures.

As far as the reception, I have seen countless weddings where these are held at the home or some other cost free place.

Also when you go to rent chairs, ask them for a lower grade chair. If you are doing white chairs then a lot of times rental companies have different grades of chairs at different prices.

With an outdoor wedding you can get away with older chairs as people are less likely to notice a scratched up chair outdoors rather than indoors.

For items such as an aisle runner, these usually comein 50 or a 100' rolls. There are instances where Rental Companies will use some of this off of a roll for display in their store. They are then left with a used roll that they cannot sell as new, so they will sell it to you at a discount. There are also many other reasons they would have a partial roll, but listing them is not necessary. Just ask, because chances are you do not need all 50 or 100 feet anyway.

This can apply to other items also, do not be afraid to ask your local wedding company and rental company about discounted items. They have them, and it is not something to be embarrased about asking either. I have had the richest of the rich asking for used this an that to save a buck.

Also, to avoid being redundant I will just say that I would closely follow the previous suggestions by other posters about making your own invitations, etc....

If you have any further questions or more detailed questions shoot me an email, I have dealt with weddings for going on 12 years. I will be happy to help you out.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Get really unique, and not go for the norm.. formal gala. Have a backyard bbq or a weekend camp trip or a barefoot hippy wedding. IF you go for the camping trip: make invitations out of paper that look like tents & when you open the flaps it gives the info., you wouldnt need a lot of flowers or decorations. The reception could be held at a local restauarant?

Answer 4

I am into the same problem tho! im getting marry within 3 months and still i havent decide were start! i know my basic idea of how i wanna make it... but gosh.... it would be over 3000 dls!!!! and im talkin about makin a simply reception. what im gonna do for an elegant wedding is:

* i already picked up the flowers which is gonna be white irises and lilies. as long we alrady decided the hour, the place and the date :april 5th - 7pm. http://www.firstcaribbeanhotels.com/NewFiles/e%20patio.JPG (which at that place we rented alrady, the arcs have like candle supports that for extra money, you can turn on them [ i think it will look fantastic] I love it!!!! my godmother picked it for me and she will gift me the cake. Im sending you some pics of my idea for decoration in the patio for the wedding :


2- I will buy around 5 or 6 paper lanterns *i think they are cute* and i will put instead of eletrict bulb i will put a candle inside. i will look classy for sure

3- i will buy also... crystal flower base, which im gonna put some water inside and the flowers i told you. it will be like 6 crystal in big size [ this is for the irises] and 4 small size for the roses and lilies. i wanna put some white Sheers in this transparent textile [ this is not at all expensive here!] and i will make like this shape http://www.touchofclasscatalog.com/shopping/product/zoom.jsp?iProductID=3410&count=2

Answer 5

Have small wedding. Borrow a dress or rent a dress or buy a used dress. Remember, they are only worn for a couple of hours, once.
Simple, simple,simple.
Download your invitations, lots of websites. Have the reception at your house, in the backyard. Rent a tent.

http://www.yourethebride.com/

http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cheap_Bridesmaid_Dress

http://www.usabride.com/centerpieces/a_cheapchic.html

http://www.canada.com/topics/lifestyle/weddingguide/story.html?id=9c364f67-7ba4-4970-a0b1-06b9e164fefd&k=52375

Lots of ideas. I got married at a Bed & Breakfast, the reception was on the terrance under a tent. My entire wedding, everything included, dress, tux, gifts, sitdown dinner, accomodations, rings, pictures, flowers, booze, etc... was under $10,000.00

Answer 6

Hi

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Answer 7

You have lots of opitons, for invitations you can always got to Target, Micheals, or Online and get some printable ones. Flowers I would try to find a flower warehouse where they sell them to you wholesale. As for a reception, you could have it outside in someone's back yard(must be large) and just rent chairs and tents in case of rain.
I hope this helps! Good Luck!

Answer 8

depending on on how many quest you plan on inviting i've found that its almost the same price to have my invitations printed professionally than doing them myself..but i have a large wedding and its cheaper in bulk always.
as for pictures, digital camera's are a godsend nowdays..you have a friend take the pic and if you don't like it you can do it all over again
i'm doing a themed wedding so my girls aren't having flowers...i'm getting them all masks to carry down ..i found them on ebay...don't always have to use flowers there are many options out there.

Answer 9

the flowers- http://cgi.ebay.com/Wedding-flowers-Bridal-Bouquets-Roses-by-the-Dozen_W0QQitemZ290073560118QQihZ019QQcategoryZ26380QQcmdZViewItem
easily you could make this, find flowers that are on sale at michels or hobby lobby. there are websites that tell you how to make boquets.

invitations- at wal mart or target, they have the invitations, and you can just print them out. i think they have detailed instructions on how to print them and suggested wording of your invite.

reception- your rec. site, make sure that your site includes the linens and the placings(silverware and plates and glasses) in the pricing. if you have alcohol, find a place where you can bring your own, if you are not allowed to, make it a cash bar, where your guest will have to pay for their drinks.

any other questions email me- [e-mail]