Anybody got any advice on a wedding on a budget?

Question

Hi,

were getting married next year in the summer and we want a summer garden party wedding, so a BBQ and a live band etc.. We did on for our Engagement party in a pub and it was great we had the seating in the beer garden, but for the wedding id like something a bit more classy for the venue. Any ideas??

Thank you

Answer 1

Some good suggestions in some of the answers here. Good idea to use parks or family members yards, but you have to have a rain plan, and tents cost mucho moola. Try to find a place with an alternate setting, just in case.

Ask your friends and family what they have that you could borrow to use for the wedding. People have all sorts of beautiful linens, fancy candlesticks, silver, dishes and serving pieces just stashed in a drawer. They would be happy to see their nice things used for a special occasion, and it will add personality to your wedding. Everything doesn't have to match, you can be as eclectic as you wish!

The more you can do yourself, the more you can save. Get your flowers from Costco or the supermarket. Borrow vases, or get nice ones from the thrift store (Thrift stores are always full of flower vases.) Buy some ribbon at WalMart and tie your own bouquets and boutonnieres.

Your dress can be one you already own, or you can look for bargains at sales, thrift stores, classified ads, and department stores and outlet centers. JCPenney has nice wedding outlet stores, and they have a wedding catalog as well. Your dress doesn't have to be a big white gown, You might find a prom gown or bridesmaids dress instead.

Use white Christmas lights and candles for decoration. Tulle is cheap and elegant and easy to work with. Get in the habit of checking the $1 store for decor. Sometimes they have some amazing things for one dollar.

The reception food will be the biggest expense. If you have family members who will help, that is a cost cutter. You'll need people to cook, and keep the buffet table supplied. Maybe some family members can do the side dishes as a gift.

For the photography: Please don't rely on disposable cameras on the tables for your wedding photos! If you can't afford an established professional, then ask the family or friend shutterbug with a decent camera to take pictures of the important stuff, the ceremony, group photos, bride & groom photos, and the cake cutting. Check Craig's list, photographers advertise there all the time for cheap, or even free, to build portfolios. If you go that route, ask to see some pictures they have taken, even if they aren't wedding related.

Good luck with your wedding!

Answer 2

For 50 people we had our bar-b-q plus catered. It was over $1000 with the tip, but we had help paying. We kept the leftovers, didnt have to worry about cleanup and didnt put anyone out. If you decide to do more yourself remember to check Cash & Carry or CostCo for Largew ready made favorites.

Also, some thrift stores have an excellent selectionof clothes you can take to the cleaners. Bridesmaids could even wear matching sarongs and each bring a white blouse and white or brown sandals, flip flops.

Ask everyone whose hair you like when it's put up... ask if they would do it for you the same way. Buy shoes at payless shoe source. Get a wedding planner magzine that has a check list in it.

Start interviewing bands now. Ask everyone whose wedding had the bes tdancingin your area. Consider your friends family estates. Maybe someone has a ranch with shade and good parking or an aunt with a couple acres and a green thumb. Offer professional cleanup or post gardening services, ask family churches for chairs that won't dig into the ground.

Remember, if you are having a good time, or can brush off the stuff that's not perfect and enjoy the day, then the res of the guests will probably have a blast too. Ask caterers how to figure drink counts. Consider tapes and violinist friends who might play thewedding march or pre-ceremony music.

Breathe. smile. repeat.

Answer 3

Try to keep it elegant but simple for the ceremony, and then try to go with more of a theme for your reception.
If you want a garden party wedding in the summer, make sure that you have tents and necessary cooling fans so that guests are comfortable and out of the sun if choose.
The garden theme will be easy to do on a budget over the summer and flowers will add all of the color that u need,

Answer 4

We did ours on a budget, and it cost just £500. This was 11 years ago though so would cost more now.

I hired my dress, it only gets shoved in a cupboard anyway! But bought my shoes, bouquet and head piece so I had some bits to keep.

We got a friend who was a keen photographer to do the photos and as a prezzie he developed for free.

A friend with a nice car was our chaffeur, and the chaffeur of the couple after us took pity and lent us his rolls for photos (and let's face it that is one of the only reasons you have a posh car).

We got family to all donate some food. If you get everyone to bring a plate of something then you will have plenty of food.

Shop around at florists, we saw a big difference in prices. We ended up getting my bouquet, one for bridesmaid and ones for family and groom etc for under £30.

Don't go for anything fancy for reception place. If you can't afford a marquee, or haven't the space then check out local village or school halls.

And remember at the end of the day, the only thing you will remember is the wedding night!!

Answer 5

Congratulations!

No, if your on a budget it doesn't sound cheesy!

Having a marque in a garden, with a BBQ, sounds lovely! Try and change it from your engagement party, with by using white lights, pretty wedding decorations, bring out the floral theme into your invitations, etc.

Im doing a wedding on a budget (summer 2008), and we decided to go abroad and do it on the beach, with all the family attending, its definately cut the cost with it being a romantic time for us also.

Answer 6

I would stay classy and formal for the wedding and then for the reception I would say do have the BBQ party you can have so much fun with a reception like this depending on how you want to set up the theme depends on what you could do...I have several ideas for the reception...email me and I will give you more...
BTW when my husband got married we had a formal wedding very classy and nice....We paid under $1,000 dollars for the wedding and the reception.

Answer 7

We went for a marquee in a pub garden near the Norfolk coast, with a BBQ and finger buffet, my buddy DJed for us. The marquee was draped in 2 coloured puffs and we had a dance floor installed in case the weather turned on us. The pub garden is surrounded by a wall on 3 sides so you can see the coast but no-one can wander in.

Answer 8

Try not to listen too much to what other people want,it snowballs into lots of money. Don't worry too much about trying to impress people.Remember guests are coming to see your special day not how much it's cost you. Put an ad in the paper a lot of bands starting out would be glad to help for a small fee

Answer 9

depending on your location, check in to local national parks, lakes, beaches, etc. Mine was at a local park right next to the lake at sundown, the "venue didn't cost a dime. Rented chairs from a local company that also was able to provide tables, a red carpet, and a very nice archway for around $350.00. Congratulations, wish you the best

Answer 10

The phrase on a budget and live band clash slightly live bands are v expensive
Either go abroad or book a nice restaurant for just a few close family and friends