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easiest things you can do yourself and not pay someone else to do? If you have a catering service what are the things you need to pay them for and what are the things you can do yourself? If you purchase some sort of package do you get a discount for doing some of the things yourself? I am trying to plan my own wedding and I am a girl who never thought about this kinda stuff growing up, so I don't have a clue?? We don't have alot of money, but want to have the nicest wedding with what we have. How many people out there that planned there own wedding would do it all again the same way? How many people who are in the process of planning there own wedding wish they wouldn't have even started? Sorry:-( I said I had sooo many questions so anyone who can anwer any of them will be a help to me thank you in advance! And, I am sure I will be back for more help!!;-)

2007-05-29 15:19:08 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships Weddings

17 answers

We're planning/paying our wedding right now for a guest list of 125 for under $1,600.00
Here's how--
1-NO SITE FEES- We're having the ceremony and reception in my parents back yard. I purchased 4 party tents (the white ones w/windowed side walls) off ebay for about $500. After the wedding, we're keeping 1 tent and selling the other 3, so we'll actually be getting "some" of our money back.

2-NO RENTAL FEES- Tables and chairs are being borrowed from our church for just a small donation to the church, cheaper than renting and it benefits our church!

3-NO CATERES- We're doing a "Family Favorites" buffet having family members supply "those certain" dishes that they are known for making so well. Then I'm going to print out little table tents saying who made what. IF you opt to supply the food yourself, keep your menu simple as far as the number/variety of dishes. It's better to have more of a few then just a few of more.

4-NO FLORIST/DECORATORS- I'm just going to carry a single red rose tied w/ribbon and long streamers, my maid of honor a white one. Making my own centerpieces, which I have TONS of ideas/designs that can all be done for less than $5-$8 each, feel free to email me for ideas if you'd like!

5-DON'T ORDER INVITATIONS- Cheaper to print your own...utilize your local discount stores...I found wedding invitation kits that will make 40 for $2.99 per kit at my local Ollies discount store. And each kit includes: Invitation, outer mailing envelope, RSVP cards, return envelopes, foil stickers, instruction sheet for setting up printer format, and a sheet w/suggested wording for different family/hosting situations.
They also had kits for Thank you cards that make 80 for $4.99. Basically I only spent about $11 for all my invites and Thank You cards, and they are just beautiful.

6-I found a DJ who is just starting out, but had done some other events for people I know, He came highly recommended and is only charging me $300 for the WHOLE DAY and all included!

7-KEEP AN OPEN MIND!!!! Don't get "stuck" on certain ideas/patterns/items....you'd be amazed how much EASIER it all falls together if you just sort of "roll with it"...it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice anything, just be willing to bend.

I have TONS of money saving ideas (favors, decor, wishing well, etc)....if there are any certain areas that you need or would want some suggestions for...feel free to email me! I know it's a LOT to do, and anything that can be made easier should be!

2007-05-30 00:20:31 · answer #1 · answered by secret_oktober_girl 5 · 1 0

Depending on where you are getting married at, some places give you a certain package price for so many things. I live in pigeon forge tennessee, I went online and just looked up a whole bunch of places (and there is alot here), and found the best deal and the most beautiful place we both love. We cannot afford their reception package so we are going to do an outdoor wedding at this overlook at a pavillion. So some places will let you mix and match what you want. You should email me cause Im going through the same delima as you are maybe we could help each other out. My wedding is on October 14, 2007.

2007-05-29 16:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by beckyse_2005 1 · 0 0

Phew the stress is on. The first thing you need to do is figure out what your budget is. This will decide a lot of things for you. Then you need to decided where the wedding is going to be. Flowers can be simple so you spend less. You can cater the wedding yourself if you do an afternoon reception with fruits, cheeses, and finger sandwiches. As well as punch and coffee. Find a person who makes cakes instead of paying a bakery twice as much. Decide what is most important to you, for some its the dress, others say photography. Skip a videografer and have a couple friends tape the wedding and portions of the reception. Just do things in steps of importance. Location, officiant, photographer, dress,attendants attire, flowers, cake, honeymoon, limos/cars Buy a wedding planner/binder so that you can stay organized. Most important, try to have fun in the midst of the chaos. It only happens once, so enjoy yourself!

2007-05-29 15:37:43 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 3 · 1 0

I am planning my own wedding right now (October 1, 2007). Everyone has some great advice (making and doing things yourself, etc).

One thing I didn't see mentioned, but has worked for me with both catering and the ceremony/reception venue is to ask if they can lower their price.

If you are able to pay for something all up front instead of with their payment plan, ask if they could give you a discount if you paid in full up front. A lot of businesses will give you a break on price if you can do this.

Or if you've seen that another caterer offers something you want at a lower price, ask the current caterer if they can match it or come down in price.

It doesn't hurt to ask. It has worked for me. I hope this helps.

2007-05-30 01:05:32 · answer #4 · answered by clawofiron 6 · 0 0

I planned my own wedding (10-14-2006) and was so glad that I did. I don't have any regrets what-so-ever. We had our wedding in a hotel ballroom so I'm not sure about the caterer, but the best advice I could give you is to research everything thoroughly on the internet and ask for references. If it doesn't feel right, don't sign any contracts. If waiting one day or a week makes a vendor turn you down, you are better off without them. Don't believe the hype about them "booking up fast". Try to stay calm and deligate responsibilities among your family and friends that are willing to lend a hand with things like ordering gowns, making favors or help picking out flowers. Have a vision, even if it only includes basics like your wedding colors to go by or the style of your gown. Carry pictures of your gown and/or color swatches with you when making decisions to see if they work with your idea, cut out pictures in Bridal magazines that appeal to you for inspiration. If you get stressed, take a week off from planning and relax. Best of luck to you! Congratulations!!

2007-05-29 15:36:44 · answer #5 · answered by terasa425 4 · 0 0

Well, I am getting married on June 8th. Me and my fiance have been engaged since thanksgiving of last year and are getting married. All together, we are paying maybe $2000 and we have about 70 guests coming. Keep it small but nice is key. We held a stag and doe at my parents place and had prizes to be won by playing games, auctions and such. We made $850 in one night. This paid for the marriage licence, the piano player, and some of the honey moon. Our honey moon is simple, we are not traveling far, but we will have a nice honeymoon. My mother was a professional florist, so she is doing the flowers. She is renting silk flowers, they are cheaper to rent, along with the vases and such. They look just as good too. My father makes wine, so he is making the wine, corking fee is $3.50 a bottle rather than $17.00 for a bottle and then the additional $3.50 for corking. My dad got a 1954 chevy Belaire for us to travel with for $50.00. If you look around, you will find all sorts of cheap and neat ideas. Make the things yourself. Keep it cheap as possible, but nice as possible too. Usually the groom can get packages, (me, I went to Moores) I got my tuxedo (full tuxedo will all the fixens) free because my wedding party is large enough that they said I can get it free as a package as a gift because of the size of the wedding party. We also went to a bridal shower and got coupons and discounts on things, such as $30 off for my wedding parties tuxedo rentals. Make your wedding party pay for the dresses and tuxedo, A LOT of people do this. Hope this helps.

Wee Man.

2007-05-29 15:32:12 · answer #6 · answered by boychuka 3 · 1 0

There are so many things that you can do to save money for your wedding.
Pictures-have friends that can take them for you.
Flowers- look for a package deal they have some great ones,I think for all my flowers I paid $500.00.
Cake-Have a friend make one for you,we did I think the whole thing cost us $300.00-we put a few fresh roses on top and it was gorgeous.
Buy a wedding gown off the rack-last years model. I think the total cost of my dress was $500.00. Chadwicks.com has some dresses that can be used as a wedding dress,very inexpensive,I think you can also get bridesmaid dressesfor cheap also. Hope this helps,you just have to be creative. Getting married in a park is very nice and can save you a lot of money in renting a hall. Good Luckthe

2007-05-29 15:30:06 · answer #7 · answered by Rhonda S 2 · 1 0

First, Congrats. Second, there are books at the library for ...planning the perfect wedding, or planning a wedding on a budget. Check with friends, relatives, co-workers, there is always someone who knows someone who....is a photographer, a caterer, a bakery, a florist.... and usually a personal referral can get you a discount. Really think about what is important for the big day. Cut corners on the things that aren't important. If you let florists, caterers etc know that you are working on a budget, they will work with you. Check clearance racks at bridal salons for your dress and the girls in your wedding party.(save them some $ too) My friend recently bought a gorgeous dress for $99.00 on a clearance rack.(I spent $1,000 for mine, who's the dummy?)

2007-05-29 15:47:01 · answer #8 · answered by NightOwl 3 · 1 0

Anything that can be done ahead of time is worth doing yourself--you can make and freeze hors doerves, desserts, etc., but you can't cook a hot meal or clean it up yourself, but family members can. Depending on where your wedding is going to be, you may or may not be able to decorate in advance, but you can buy ribbon and tulle and make up the decorations for someone else to hang. You can print invitations yourself on your computer, and no one will be the wiser. You can make wedding favors. You can put together CD's with music you like for the wedding and reception. You cannot make your own bouquet or bridesmaid bouquets unless you use silk flowers--you will be too busy on the day of the wedding to work with fresh flowers.

I'd not only do it again myself, but wouldn't ever let anyone else do it for me.

2007-05-29 15:32:02 · answer #9 · answered by kk 4 · 0 1

Oh!!!! I have so many ideas!!! I am planning my own wedding. My husband to be is a penny pincher so he wants everything cheap cheap cheap. First of all. Look in the classifieds or post ur own classifieds. especially for decorations. for example. i found someone selling over 300 white satin chair covers, centerpeices, candles candle holders, etc etc etc. for only $200!!!! everything was white except the centerpeices had some blue thru them which wasnt a big problem. i was using red roses so i could easily go to the dollar store and buy some fake red roses to replace the blue flowers. next, ur gown, u mite want to splurge on this. But try to watch for stores to get new styles in as they bring in the new the old will b going on sale. i dunno if this will help but theres a local store that had wedding gowns as low as $82. www.tietheknotbridal.net theyll even ship. now for my flower girl i found a communion dress on sale at jcpenny for $35. (they still have them on sale at jcpenny.com) and my bridesmaids r wearing prom gowns (on sale for $80). honestly cheap and easy can b done. u just have to keep ur eyes open. as far as the catering. i dont no about that stuff. it can get really expensive. actually my mom is paying for that bc she paid for it for my sister. but the local restaurant is doing it for just the cost of food and we get to use the restaurant and she decorates and provides linens etc for free. my step grams son in law is a hobbyist dj, and my accountants (who goes to church w/ my mom) husband is a hobbyist photographer and quite good. so we really lucked out. check out walmart and target. they have so much cheap wedding stuff. im me sometime and we can discuss ideas for decorations and such i also have so many websites i can show u. good luck

2007-05-29 19:40:40 · answer #10 · answered by Jen 2 · 0 0

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