Me and my husband will be celebrating 10 years of marriage next year and want to renew our wedding vows in a wedding ceremony in a church that we never had before. We are on a very tight budget and can only spend like $2500 on this wedding. I've gotten help on the dress and tuxes and other things, but I'm worried about decorations and accessories. Has anyone out these had a wedding on this budget and it was beautiful just like if u had thousands of dollars to spend on it? Please help me!
2007-03-23 13:14:34 · 10 answers · asked by Friendly 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
First of all, many people think that because a couple managed to beat the odds and stay together that they should not celebrate by having the greatest blow-out they can afford.
Especially, if you didn't have one when you got married.
But isn't it interesting, that no one makes a peep if the marriage breaks up, and a person can have as many 'new' marriages that they get themselves into because the previous one didn't work? they often get the entire big thing all over again, and people are happy that they got it right at last, and continue to support them not matter how many times they repeat the action.
I say, celebrate! If you want the whole (affordable) enchilada, knock yourself out! I didn't have a large wedding the first time either*.
What type of event do you want?
How many people do you want to invite?
I had a lovely ceremony and sit-down dinner at a hotel, Prime Rib, Cake included, Champagne for the toast for $3500. This was for 35 people. It was in a lovely open atrium, I had a few problems with this location, but others may have a different experience.
Other places offer similar deals.
You might be able to have your event catered at a hall for less, depending on the rates.
If you want to see a lot of locales at once, Get a Wedding Guide for your area (I am not certain they are available everywhere, but check online. Type in Wedding Guide your location in the search engine.) This magazine will cover most vendors and locales for about every wedding feature imaginable. There is a Wedding Guide for almost everywhere!
As for flowers, bouquets and boutonnieres: Your attendants can carry a single flower or small arrangement of 2 to 10 flowers (10 for the years you have been married). You can make these yourself if you have few attendants, or enlist help, or get a quote at a florist. You should be able to find the instructions online, and you can get flowers in bulk from a local florist, call around and get quotes from florists in your area. Boutonnieres can be a single flower, a bud, just a few baby's breath, or whatever appeals to you.
You can buy tulle or organza at a fabric store, such as Hancock's or online; these fabrics are reasonably inexpensive for large quantities. Therefore, they are perfect for decorating.You can make bows to decorate the aisle side of seats, and then accent with one or two live or a small bunch of artificial flowers (available at Michaels or a crafts store or online). Centerpieces can be equally lovely if they are artificial, unless you get a fabulous deal on bulk. If you like roses, there is a great place to get them in bulk online (www.freshroses.com). This is a wonderful site to have a look at; they have roses and many other varieties of flowers at great prices because they are the growers, so no middle men.
If you decide to make your own bouquets, boutonnières,
and centerpieces, you can't beat this site for non-costly live flowers.
Email me if you have any other questions, and I will try to help.
You may also be able to get ideas at www.theknot.com and www.brides.com
And I repeat, email me if you have more questions.
Have fun, and congratulations!
Hope this helps!
2007-03-23 15:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by 1985 & going strong 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, just so you know a renewal of vows is NOT another wedding. You were married ten years ago!
A vow renewal is blessing or ceremony done at church or another location, usually followed by dinner at your home for family and close friends. Cost of this will be totally minimal, because you just need to wear a pretty dress, your husband his best suit - and decorations don't cost much - maybe streamers and some flower arrangements if you want but they aren't really necessary. Get your family members to help you make the meal - and there you go! Should be able to do for a few hundred dollars! Good luck and have fun!
2007-03-23 14:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When doing a vow renewal ceremony sometimes smaller is better. Planning a larger wedding when it is just a vow renewal is always a little harder. Having your attendants purchase their dresses and get their tuxes that is always the easy part. Getting decorations is always easy since you can go to a local liquidators or even to a WalMart and sometimes that has decorations that you need. Making decorations is easy and can be found on most websites.
2007-03-23 14:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by WI Wedding Lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2500??? Are you kidding?
This isnt a wedding. You already are married. You can not expect to have a big huge "pay attention to me" party. This should be a small ceremony just to pledge your continuing love to your spouse, in front of the people you are closest to.
Listen, if you are really on a tight budget, I would recommend doing this renewal of vows like one of my girlfriends did. Send out invitations to your closest friends. Have the renewal of vows in a church where the clergy know you. Wear your best dress, have your husband wear his best suit. Renew your vows and afterwards go out to dinner, just you, your husband and your closest friends/family. There is no way you should have to spend that much money.
2007-03-24 01:22:14 · answer #4 · answered by Kat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The great thing about churches is that they are already so beautiful and unique in their own ways that you dont really need any decorations. If you wanted some pew bows that would probably be nice, but honestly I dont think they are necessary. I just dont think there is such a thig as an ugly church. Maybe if you would like to put an altar arrangement of flowers you could do that. Also, be sure to check ebay for things like your unity candle and such things, you never pay full price on ebay.
You can definitely do it, remember simple and understated is always classy!
Good luck!
2007-03-23 13:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by kateqd30 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Man you are SET!
The church decorations can be found by looking on freecycle or even asking around & finding another bride in the church--once she's married she doesn't need them. My friend did that for her wedding, there was another bride in the same church with similar colors & she offered the woman $20 for the entire decorations after she got hitched--& they were worth a LOT more than that.
Or get married around a holiday say Easter or Christmas as the church is automatically decorated for you!
MOst churches have halls & have your friends bring you desserts & have the ladies' auxillory cater if they don't & buy paper plates, and stuff.
Spend most of your $$ on photographer or get a friend who is talented to do it for you.
Good luck.
2007-03-23 14:15:51 · answer #6 · answered by belligerent assistant 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am all for couples renewing their vows, but to have a big church wedding with decorations, tuxedos, wedding dresses, cakes, receptions, and your friends and family showering you and honoring you with gifts? NOT what I would call appropriate. If you want to do it in a church privately and with those closest to you followed by a nice dinner afterwards and a weekend spent in the honeymood suite, then go for it. Better yet.....take the $2500 and go on a vacation and renew your vows on the sand AS A COUPLE. But I don't think it's appropriate to have a great big giant church wedding for a 10 year anniversary. But hey, that's just me.
2007-03-23 13:21:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow that's not exactly a 'tight' budget! This isn't a REAL wedding so you don't need most of the paraphernalia a bride needs.
You don't need a bunch of attendants... I think your children would be great for that! And bridal garments.. phooey.. get a beautiful outfit that you CAN use again, and a new suit for hubby!
Throw a nice party in your home... and use the rest of the money for a second honeymoon!
Congrats on your anniversary :)
2007-03-23 13:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by endorable 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you belong to a church...it shouldn't be much if you do all the foot work...My Husband & I had renewed our vows on our 25th anniversary 4 years ago....Our church paid for almost everything for us, family made the cake and brought the food...we origalnally were married by the justice of the peace and we wanted a "Real Weddding" It was awesome , we're soon to cellibrate our 29th in April
2007-03-23 13:27:39 · answer #9 · answered by K F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU CAN FIND ALOT OF THINGS AT THE RESALE SHOPS TO DECORATE WITH. CANDLE HOLDERS, ECT. GARAGE SALES ARE ANOTHER PLACE TO LOOK. EVEN ASK AROUND FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD WEDDINGS TO BORROW THEIR THINGS. IT CAN BE DONE.
2007-03-23 13:22:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋