im trying to plan my wedding dose anyone have any advice on how to save money or cut conners?

Answer 1

Students, students, students. Go to local colleges and scout. You can find an amazing music student to act as a solo violinist, pianist, etc. You can also find a photography student to photograph your wedding day. Additionally, you can self-cater. It seems daunting at first, but, if you have a guest list under 100, it's very doable. Go to a local culinary school and scout for student waiters and cooks. Set up a team, set up a menu, and delegate responsibilities. You can have the amazing food of a sit-down dinner you want for a much cheaper price. You can pay 5-15 dollars ahead instead of 50+ dollars. Seems like a given to me! College students are desperate for money, so they're dirt cheap, and they're much more experienced than you think. In addition, to save big bucks you really have to resort to this and you really have to be a do-it-yourself bride. There's many ideas out there, so just find them on the web! Or talk to me for more details!

Answer 2

There are a bunch of ways you can do this. In fact, entire books have been written. (lots of them). Some off the top suggestions are: Cut as many people from the guest list as possible. (This is one I have yet to be able to achieve, because my fiance has a huge family), DIY flowers and favors and decorations, hire a local art student instead of a proffessional photographer (make sure you get to keep your negatives), culinary schools for catering, sample sales or ebay for your gown, and most of all - learn to negotiate. Don't tell all of your vendors right away that you are planning a wedding. Tell them its a big party and see what they quote you. If they try to change the prices once they learn its a wedding, call them out on it. Lots of people will try to rip you off just because they know most people aren't experts at planning weddings and don't know any better. There's a great website you can try that's helped me a lot already and I didn't even buy the book. Just sign up for the e-mail newsletter. Its full of tips.

Answer 3

If you aren't a flower person, then go for more of a romantic look during the reception by using candles instead.

Never underestimate the dollar store!!! Great centerpiece ideas can be found there that aren't going to cost you a fortune!

Try hiring a local student photographer from a university ... they love adding pictures to their portfolios and some are even better than the pros!!

You can print your own invites instead if purchasing them pre-made. It will save you money and will allow you to put your own special touch on the day!

Take the time to make the flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow yourself!! That way you are certain they are exactly what you wanted!!!!

Answer 4

Figure out a realistic budget and then figure in a little fudge margin. It's recommended, just from a romantic getaway standpoint, to choose a location as far away and different from hometown as can be afforded. A bed and breakfast in California, an island in the Caribbean or the dream romantic wedding in Hawaii, wherever the heart and imagination may call, find a local wedding coordinator to help with the details.

Answer 5

Cut down on your invitation list, the more people you invite the more money for food and drinks, have somebody to prepare the dinner, family members, friends, instead of hiring a caterer. And if you could find someone to d.j. or to perform at your wedding, a cousin that sings or play the piano, a brother that can DJ, or any other relative with talent. And instead of a hall to have reception in why not have an outdoor wedding if you live on a large property or know someone who does. And you could have a early morning or early afternoon wedding and instead of a drawn out ceremony have a quick ceremony and at reception serve only refreshments and champagne or punch and serve the wedding cake. Look for discounts on wedding dresses, or just wear your mothers and you could have it altered. Look for places that the groom could get a rented tux for free with the purchase of the groomsmen tuxes, and have the groomsmen and bridesmaids pay for their own tuxes and dresses. Also don't overspend on decorations, simple tulle and flowers and candles can go a long way. And look around for the prices of flowers for discounts and ask florist for special discounts on the brides/bridesmaids bouquets. Or you could make them yourself or some crafty person you know can help you with them. Don't buy unnecessary items. Create a budget and live by it. You could also make your own invitations on your personal home computer. Have a friend or family member do your hair, or ask beautician for a special discount especially if you had been a customer for years, work that in. Look online for cheap decorating ideas.

Answer 6

Right off the bat?? Well, it really depends on what type of wedding you want...
Cater is $$$$
Flowers?? Mums vs Rose ect...
Top shelf booze

I mean it depends... I had to have a cater because no one had a house or backyard nice enough for a wedding. So we had to do the hall with the cater. I just tried to find a cater that included as much stuff as possible- like the cake, DJ and hall fees come free. She also includes little things that help like table numbers, fake flowers ect... for free. She was the cheapest I could find in Nj for $65 a head (include tax on all the fees). I skipped the place cards and just am typing up and framing the sitting card to save a almost $100 there.....

but as you can see, my goal is to have a fancy wedding as cheap as I can but I am still paying $20,000. It really depends on your budget and what type of wedding you want. Backyard or cater it yourself is always the cheapest... Oh and cutting the guest list back saves lots of money!! We are having 150 and I am hoping say 50 can't come :) cause that will cut out $3,000 off the catering bill.

Answer 7

Well you didnt mention what type of wedding you wanted. We did and outdoor wedding last year in our back yard. We rented a tent, tables and chairs. We hung white light all around the tent. We had camaras on all of the tables for our guest to take pictures. We did not hire a photographer. All of my wedding favors I got from www.orientaltrading.com. We put a Gerber daisy plant all in different colors on each table. We used our own cd player for music. We had kids so we bought a moon bounce from toys r us for the kids. We had a keg of beer, and alcohol table and soda. We hired someone to do a pig roast for us. He also brought macaronni and potatoe salad and roasted potatoes. We made baked ziti and Meatballs. We did all of our own party trays. We had a beautiful three tier wedding cake. Our wedding was informal. The guys all played horseshoes. It was a blast. I wish could go back and enjoy it all over againg. Good luck to you and congratulations.

Answer 8

1.make your own invitations
2.If you don't mind not being married in a church then find a venue that will do the ceremony & the reception afterwards which is still pricey. But then all you have to pay for is the priest fees instead of the church donation & priest fees which are seperate.
3.Find centerpieces that don't have so man y flowers in them there are alot of pictures of differnet kinds shown on the knot.
4.Have a buffet instead of a sit down dinner

Answer 9

Do your own catering if you can. That can be time and energy consuming, but it does cut costs for feeding your guests.

When I was married, I used my grandmother's wedding dress. And except for being a little tight across the shoulders, it was as if it had been made for me! If you can, consider doing that: Dresses can be expensive, and your grandmother would be tickled to see her gown being worn again.

Consider using disposable table clothes: I've seen some very nice ones.

Marbles in clear bowls with floating candles in the water are very pretty decorations. Consider using them.

Congratulations on your wedding!

Answer 10

http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI990406150125&keywordID=156&keywordType=2&parentID=527

this link has a list of the biggest ways to cut costs.
remember food and drinks are the biggest money hogs- so having a buffet style meal instead of 5courses seved will save you losts! also just serving beer and wine will be better than an open bar of everything. You could just have champaign or take out alcohol all together too.

check out www.theknot.com it has a ton of planning tips and advice - they also give you a list of vendors in your area.
God Bless