How to throw a nice but cheap wedding??

Question

I have actually been married for 4 years but we never really had a wedding. I want to renew next year and I want it to be special and intimate for our families but we are trying to save money for a house. Any suggestions? He also does not want to do it just yet because he just got a new job and does not want to spend anything! How do I talk to him and tell him my ideas without him just shutting me down before I even open my mouth (which has already happened)? Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

What I've done in planning my wedding is network!! Sit down and think of who you know and the talents they possess! Most people love to help with weddings and are just waiting to be asked and some just volunteer when they learn of the upcoming nuptials.
We're getting married in his sister's backyard under an arbor, which will be decorated with tulle(bought leftover from a friend's recent wedding for dirt cheap!), red heart lights and sunflower garlands. She attends a local church and is getting tables and chairs on loan for free. We've bought two simple canopies from Walmart to shade the guests and in case of bad weather, they were $15 each. All our lawn furniture will be cleaned and repainted for the event also. Tiki torches and citronella candles were bought on sale for the bug problem.
My dress was bought by a dear friend so that was free. I'm making my own hair garland from fresh baby's breath and I've made all my florals myself, such as my bouquet, corsages and boutineers. I used silks so I could go ahead and complete them, sunflowers.
I've had two friends volunteer to do all the photography, one does it as an avid hobby and the other as a side job.
I've downloaded all my own music and burnt the cds and have the cd player ready.
We did buy our wedding cake but found someone who works at a professional bakery and does it on the side, 3 tier cake that feeds 100 for $100, delivered and set up the day of the wedding.
My brother in law is a preacher and is marrying us for free.
As I said, I've done all the florals myself, all the decorations for the tables and other decorations I'm using throughout the yard. Centerpieces are mason jars with red crystals in the bottom with glass votives sitting down in the middle and raffia tied around the outside top. Little terra cotta flower pots with raffia tied around them with a small sunflower glued on the outside filled with red and white peppermint candies.
The food for the reception is potluck and is being furnished by different friends and family members only too happy to help. I started out with a basic finger food menu and let them pick what they wanted to bring or add to it so basically the only thing we're providing are the drinks and ice. I bought all the paper goods at the Dollar Tree and had a friend donate the cutlery left over from her recent wedding.
Favors came from a variety of places, bride and groom rubber duckies from Oriental Trading Co. Bottles of bubbles recycled from the same friend's recent wedding. Fans for guests to use since it will be an outdoor wedding were made by me and two of my girlfriends.
I don't blame you for wanting to celebrate and have your special day regardless of how long you have been actually married! It's a day that every girl dreams of! I hope that you can find a time when your husband will be more open minded about the idea!
Best wishes on your special day!!

Answer 2

Every woman deserves a day in the big white dress. Men just don't get it. The question is how much money do you have to work with? I would do a brunch in a restaurant. You can pay per person. I do not know what State you live in but the most it should be is $14.95 see if you could get a group discount. See what they can offer you. Do not say it is a wedding say anniversary since you are already married you can get away with this. Once they hear the word "wedding" the price goes up. Once you get the bottom line price tell your husband this is important to you when you give him the price make it more so you have room to negotiate Good luck and have a great day.

Answer 3

Cupcakes, if you have a table of ten people you put ten cupcakes on the table. have someone make frosting flowers for them. have a bring a dish to pass picnic type reception. you provide the meat and papergoods and drinks. make it BYOB for alcohol or stick to beer by the keg. A dress can be bought anywhere. But really consider a shorter very nice dress something pretty that you could wear again? Ask around for a photographer. There is always someone wanting to make money at their hobby, Make sure a family or friend takes pictured also. You can also have a small cake made for the bride and groom to cut. and have sheet cakes made at walmart for the guests. There are also schools that teach cake decorating. you or a friend could take a class to learn the basics and order plain white sheet cakes and dress them up. a small plant would be nice for the tables. Or use a small fish bowl, go to dollar tree and get a garter and put a candle floating in water in it. Hobby lobby runs great sale ads for wedding and floral stuff. Good luck

Answer 4

I was 17 when I got married and my husband was 20 and we had to work on the budget for our wedding. The most expensive thing bought for the wedding was my dress and it was only $500. The best thing to do to have a cheap wedding is make all the food yourself. Have a couple of friends or family members help with that. We had a full pickup spread at my wedding and the food only cost about 200. There were little sandwiches, a fruit tray with dip, veggie tray with dip, creme puffs, quiches, etc. My wedding cake however was free because my aunt makes them, but you can check out places like Wal-mart and get a cake for 130. As for the clothing for your wedding party. Rent the tuxes {it usually costs about 100 for the basic tux} and for bridesmaids try to the after prom sales. I got my bridesmaids dressed for 16 dollars because it was a 75%off sale after the prom. Also, if you are still wanting to go cheaper, try consignment shops, the Goodwill, etc, they have great prom/bridal dresses cheap cheap cheap. And you could possibly even find a really nice wedding dress for about 50 dollars. If you have an idea of what you want for your wedding just send it to me and I could probably have it planned for about 2000-2500 dollars depending on where you live. So just email me at [e-mail]

Answer 5

Rent the town hall or park pavillion (usually costs between $200-500), ask the mayor or judge to renew your vows on the spot and ask what their fee would be, you can hire a DJ for about $500, wear a simple dress, and have a buffet dinner, order a sheet cake from your bakery or make your own cake, rent chairs, tables and linens if you have to. You can make your own invitations (they have very nice kits for this at Staples). Buy decorations in bulk or on Ebay. Depending on how many people you are inviting, you can keep your budget between $2,000- $5,000 doing it this way. If you start putting aside some money out of your paychecks each week, it's doable! Tell you hubby that this would mean a lot to you, and that you aren't expecting an expensive wedding. Best of luck!

Answer 6

There are all kinds of way to cut the cost of a wedding.

* Get married on a day other than a Saturday (some sites offer discounts for Friday or Sunday weddings).

* Consider a close friend or relative's home & grounds (someone who has a large yard or home that can accommodate your guests)

* Make your own programs, invitations, placecards, etc

* Get married during an off season - early spring, late fall and winter are less popular times for weddings and you may find better prices

Good luck and have FUN

Answer 7

A beach wedding, have the justice of the peace renew your vow's if you are near a beach, the only cost you would endure would be the reception, meaning drinks, an a buffet. If you are not near a beach do a backyard wedding at either parents house, hire a friend to dj. This is when the parents would love to help and pitch in for the cost. I searched at a beach wedding in Jersey and found that the most out of pocket that we would pay would be 1200.00 that is for the open bar and buffet and music. Use your imaginations as far as the party, don't have a dinner have a party that is much cheaper and romantic.

Answer 8

Easy. renew you vows in your NEW house! So it will serve a double purpose, a vow renewal and a housewarming party. have a minister marrry yu in the backyard of yoru new home and host a casual bbq, or you can get your favorite restaurant to cater the wedding. Get a cake from Walmart (yes, they have weddding cakes), wear a simple dress (vow renewals do not require an elaborate dress and is in poor taste to wear white, a veil or an elaborate gown). Print your own invites at home and rent a tent and chairs. Decorate with white christmas lights.



Good luck

Answer 9

If you belong to your local church, you can probably be able to get everything you need from your fellow parishioners. A lady I go to church with renewed her vows with her husband at the church for free. The cake was made by a person who also went to the church. The reception was a buffet in the fellowship hall. Her dress was a cute short (knee length) dress from Macy's. There was a punch that was made by one of the ladies of the church that was juice, sprite or mt dew, and other ingredients including a chopped up block of ice cream to float on the top. The flowers were arranged by the same lady and were beautiful. I don't think they spent anything for their wedding. Networking with people you know is a great way to save money.

Answer 10

You have already had your wedding if you are married! Even if the circumstances were not that of your dreams, you are still married and hopefully happily.
People usually do vow renewals at their 25th anniversary, but some have it for their 10th. If you want to do it earlier, I guess that's up to you. It's not expensive, because it's not a wedding! You would just plan to have a vow renewal ceremony at a church or another location, then have your family and close friends for a dinner at your home. Just wear pretty clothes, a simple menu, and have a great anniversary party! Good luck!