How do I plan a nice wedding that's not soooo expensive?

Question

Location: Back yard (it's really huge) But then I have so far a guest list of 100+, I do not own any credit cards, so everything is out of pocket.
Date: December2007
Advice, personal stories, and help needed and much appreciated! TY

Answer 1

Being as I do not understand expensive weddings, I applaud your question.

If you live someplace that's warm in December then you have additional options. The other thing to consider is the formality of the wedding.

If it's an informal wedding, there's nothing wrong with an extended BBQ. for one thing any kids who are along will actually have something to eat and you can actually schedule folks to help cook. Additionally, if your guest list consists of close friends, mainly, don't be shy in asking them to bring a special dish. I'd avoid a general pot-luck thing but asking folks to bring extraordinary dishes is both a compliment and a time-saver. If you go that path, make up cards explaining the dish, the people responsible, etc.

Now, if you're in a more formal environment, you'll have to consider a level of catering. In that case I'd go more the appetizer route rather than a sit-down meal. this encourages people to mingle and opens your catering options.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Give yourself a lot of time to plan and save up money. Buy things like favors and decorations a little at a time. I'm having a wedding in October and instead of buying expensive flowers as centerpeices I am using these really beautiful vases with floating candles.
Look around at several different caterers. Some will let you work on a payment plan where you can pay a little each month instead of paying one large sum the day of the event. Keep your menu simple. Instead of getting deserts from your caterer set up yopur own desert table. Buy a chocolate fondue fountian and offer things to dip in it. I.e strawberries, pound cake, pineapple, bananas, cherries ect.
Instead of hiring a Dj use an ipod and rent a sound system and just make a playlist to last as long as the event.
You can add embellishments to your invitations yourself to keep cost down. If theres an invitation you like, tie a ribbon of a coordination color around it yourself, instead of paying an extra couple to have the factory do it.
String lights outside would be beautiful and inexpensive. You can get there really really cheap around christmas time.
Tea light candles are also very romantic but very inexpensive.
EBAY CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND. I bought so much stuff off e-bay in bulk for prices far less than other retailers.
If you have any other questions or would like any other ideas ot have any ideas and want to know how to cut the cost feel free to e-mail me!

Answer 3

Backyards are great! And so are the suggestions so far!

I am having mine in the backyard as well. BUT, prepare for weather, if at all possible. Maybe consider making your guests comforatable under a heated tent? I am renting a 40 X 40 wedding tent and that is my biggest expense (It's costing me $500.00.) Chairs and tables can be borrowed rather than renting them. Churches do let you borrow them, smaller firehouses and "Legions or VFW's" usually will as well.

To cut cost, I am having a "moonlit" wedding. Since I'm getting married on a Saturday, I am having mine AFTER dinner. I am writing it up on the invitations as a cocktail and dessert reception.
(That way you don't have to worry about feeding people-big expense eliminated.)

Another money saving tip is to buy a lot of things early and on sale. Pick your colors now and keep your eyes open! I just bought a ton of fabric for decorating at Wal Mart for $1.00 a yard. It is a polyester/rayon blend that looks JUST like satin! Tulle costs $1.00 a yard, and, in my opinion, fake satin looks more elegant for the same price! There are numerous Wal Marts EVERYWHERE, so make a WMart day and go from one to the other scoring deals!

If you have a Hobby Lobby or Michaels near by, watch their website for the flowers to go on sale! Also, once a week you can print a coupon for something like 40% off one regular priced item. Do this once per week and you have stocked up on some good stuff at awesome prices!

Dollar stores are an unexpected source of bonus deals! You can get favors and candles that are inexpensive.

Check out stores like JCPenney or go to JCrew's website and find really good deals on dresses.

Since you have so much time to plan your wedding, and you are starting already, I think you are on the right track! Start collecting things now and by the time December comes around you will have a nice, elegant wedding for your budget! It can be done! You'll just have to go on a treasure hunt to find the things you need!

Good Luck to ya and Congrats!

Answer 4

Is no one else helping you with the wedding expenses? Usually, if the parents are unable to help, the bride and groom work together on the expenses.

The huge back yard is great -- now you need a great cook who can make a lot of the food -- that could be their wedding gift to you. The same goes for a clean-up crew--their gift to you!

Borrow the chairs you need from relatives and friends, rather than renting them.

In case of bad weather, I hope that the indoors is as large as the yard.

If their will be alcohol at the wedding, start buying it now--each week most stores have various brands on sale. The same goes for decorations (other than flowers, of course)

Answer 5

The best advice is to do most everything yourself. Check around and go to Borders and buy a book on how to have a wedding on a shoestring. Rent tables; cater the food, making sure you have a variety of meats combined with pasta; or rice or potatoes; two veggies and a huge salad. If you want to save money, use only a variety of cold cuts with cheeses and cold salads and great breads. But have it served buffet style; serve only wine, beer and soda. No hard liquor. Make your own floral arrangements for tables; hire a local band that is just starting out. You can find out about these from your local college's music department; they will steer you in the right direction. Hire a private person who is a cake decorator and works out of her home to do your wedding cake. Work with her, telling her that you will place a little card next to the cake advertising her business. She will be way less expensive than if you go to a bakery. Tablecloths can be rented and also china can be rented. If you want to really save money, use a good quality paper or plastic dish with silverware instead of plastic. These are just a few ideas you can use, but I advise you to get a book out of library or buy on How to do a wedding economically. The books are out there. Best of Luck on your wedding.

Answer 6

My Husband I were married in a church field by his parents ranch. (probably sounds redneck, but it was very beautiful. We had deer in the field, sunny day, everything was green.) I think we paid $900 for the whole thing. That said...

My brother bought my wedding dress as my gift: $100
We had a cake made by a family friend and she also made the additional cakes for $100
My parents did the reception food (finger sandwiches) I think about $150
We rented a tent, arch and flower stands for $120
Photographer was $400 ( that included his travel, film and photos. he also gave me the negatives)
Pastor was a family friend $50
Gifts for our wedding party $100 (2 bm and 2gm)
Flowers were silk and I did the arrangements $100
Other misc. stuff probably $200.

Just on a side note we were married outside, in September, in Wyoming. We were lucky and the weather was beautiful. However, that isn't always the case. Be sure if you get married outside that the weather is not going to cause problems.

You can do it on a budget, you just have to take time to check around for deals. Good luck and congratulations.

Answer 7

HOpe you live in the south, people would be pretty pissed if I planned an outdoor wedding in Michigan in December! I had an outdoor wedding in the fall it was beautiful and rather inexpensive, I had my family guests bring a dish to pass to a VFW hall I rented for a reception, and the bar I had the guests pay for 50 cents a pop or 1.00 a beer.

Answer 8

A family member of mine did this, she set up a huge pole awning and strung white Christmas lights all over the top. got one of those arches and covered it with ivy and flowers I thought it was very beautiful. Got married just before sundown the sky was very beautiful.
To keep the food bill down you could ask people to prepare a dish, grandparents and hubby's family love to do this. don't ask me why?

or you could just buy like meat trays and stuff in bulk go to like Sam's club or Gordon foods they have every thing you need there remember buy in bulk much cheaper

You can make your own wedding cake also they sell the pans at wall mart decorate it with little artificial flowers and Ivy you could get a picture cake done at Walmart for the grooms cake

Just remember it's not how much you spend it's how much you love that makes it a beautiful moment so don't get your self to stressed out.

Answer 9

I am doing mine for 10k, 100 guests. I took alot of time searching vendors and working with them on deals. www.craigslist.org is a great resource for finding affordable photographers and vendors. I was able to negotiate with my photographer to get him to lower his cost and not charge travel.

I am doing my own flowers which are purchased from an online hwolesaller. You can also scout out local flower markets that the florists go to to get their stock.

Limit the bar, serving only beer and wine will make everyone happy. Try to locate a caterer that wont charge you a fee to serve your beverages and also wont charge a cake cutting fee.

Answer 10

depending on where you live, i wouldnt do a backyard wedding in december. otherwise, use an ipod hooked up to speakers for music. that way you can download the music you want and have a friend play it. make your own flowers. use votive candles for centerpieces. (you can find cool candle holders at the flea market for very cheap, along with other things to use for decorations.) have a friend take pictures, or buy a ton of disposable cameras for everyone to take pictures. as for food, if you have any good cooks in the family, have people make food instead of shelling out a ton of money for a caterer, or have a cocktail party instead. go to bevmo and buy any alcohol and just get appetizers instead of having a sitdown meal for everyone.