Advice for planning a wedding on a small budget?

Question

I am getting married in a year and a half and would appreciate any advice on where to cut expense on the wedding. We don't want to go cheap but we can't afford lavish either. Looking to spend under $10,000 if at all possible.

Hell will freeze over before I elope.

Thanks for all of the advice, I found a little of everybody helpful! Luckily we have our church secured (free because my fiance plays guitar in the youth band), I am also looking into some other connections to cut costs.

Answer 1

Wedding can be held for under 10 grand mine will be.But you have to be very crafty and it will take time.Find a location that will let you have both the ceremony and reception at the same place .Silk flower look just a good as real. You can get invitations you can do at home for about 15 to 20 bucks. Michael's has tons of thing like that. Centerpieces are cheap and easy to make. Some people will not do favors to save money. If you want to do favors the do some thing edible. Some people will not take the favors unless they are food or alcohol. EBay is a nice place ti get favors and some of the other thing you need to to a wedding. If where you ;lie has a technical school you could all ways get a photography student to do the wedding pictures.do you know any one that can do hair and make up? Davids bridal is a great place to get a wedding dress. They have a 99 dollar sale about three times a year.
Good luck with your wedding

Answer 2

You can do a beautiful wedding on that budget. Have you found a place yet? You need to start there because that is where majority of you cash will end up going. What time of year are you getting married? Prices for a Friday wedding are cheaper then Saturday sometimes by $20 or more a head. Also what time of year? It is a lot more expensive for everything to get married from May-August. Figure out how many people you have to invite. Then look at invitations. You dont need raised lettering so you can save there and look online because you can usually get good deals. Always shop around. Dont take a first offer. For centerpieces stay away from very expensive flowers like roses. Ask what is in season as that is usually cheaper because they wont have to be shipped to you. Even if you have a particular flower in mind you can always use the flower thats in season as a filler in your centerpieces. Rent the tuxedos and get one limo(or none if possible). You can get a huge hummer limo or Escalade or even party bus cheaper then you can get two limos. You pay by the hour so if you dont want your husband to see you either bring your dress and get changed there, let him go in a separate car, or make the limo driver do two trips. You are paying by the hour anyway so dont let him just sit around. Have your hair done but do your own makeup. You most likely do your makeup the way you like it best anyway. Rent the tuxes dont buy. A lot of time the groom rents for free if you have groomsmen. Try an outside wedding . Parks charge nothing and have beautiful scenery. You can rent a tent and do a buffet style wedding which is cheaper then per plate. Rent chairs, tables and a dance floor. You can even get a bartender and waiter for real cheap. You can do your ceremony at the park as well just rent white chairs and put down a runner. Look for photographers, videographers, and DJ or band in your local pennysaver or town magazine. These are usually people who are just starting out so they are cheaper and they are eager to please you to get refferals. Talk to photgrapher see if they offer videographer and possible DJ. sometimes they have packages which can save you money. Just remember to see there work. If you need anymore help you can go to my website at www.confettieventplan.com and email me. Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 3

Twenty five years ago, my traditional, church wedding with about 150 guests cost around $2000.

My mother and I made all the flower arrangements, bouquets and boutonnières with silk flowers from a local craft shop...we also made little fabric roses filled with birdseed in lieu of rice bags.

A friend played the piano before the wedding ceremony...his gift to us.

We rented candelabras from a local rental place, and ordered invitations, thank you notes and announcements from the local Hallmark store...that and postage was a big expense, as was my dress.

Bridesmaids and the flower girls dresses were from the JC Penny catalog. My dress was on sale at a local department store that had a bridal section.

Mother made a ring bearers pillow, and we bought a plain guest book and feathered pen at the Hallmark store when we got the invitations...Mother made a fancy beaded and lacework cover for the guest book.

A friend offered to do the photographs as his wedding gift to us...they turned out great!

Instead of a sit down dinner or buffet, we simply had a tiered wedding cake (by a private, local person instead of a bakery), grooms cake, punch, coffee, and some hors d'oeuvres we had prepared at home in advance (frozen, then thawed). Costco and Sams Club have some great frozen options that are inexpensive, but we didn't have that then!

We used the same punch bowl my mother's mother had bought when my mother got married.

Mother bought some material and hemmed it to make tablecloths and lace overlays for the tables, and we made the centerpieces as well. We bought paper napkins, plates, and plastic flatware and cups, so clean up was easy.

Since we married and had the reception in a Baptist church, no dancing (therefore no DJ, or reception music) and no alcohol was allowed. It was simply a casual wander around and chat affair.

Answer 4

1. MAKE YOUR OWN FAVORS
Homemade favors don't have to be mints wrapped in tulle. Get ideas off websites, buy the materials and make your own version. Don't buy anything from wedding websites. For example i bought clear favor boxes in bulk from a online whole box company.

2. SKIP THE LIMO
We used a town car instead of a limo. We kept the rides short, just from the church to the photo site to the reception. Our wedding party drove their own cars. No one paid any attention and we were so giddy that we didnt care either.

3. SHOP CRAIGSLIST
Alot of people get rid of their wedding items on craigslist. I see used centerpieces, leftover favor supplies, veils etc. I sold my centerpieces and votive candles for 1/2 price.

4. CUT AMOUNT OF FAVORS IN HALF
I figured that not everyone would take one. There are always favors left on the tables. So instead of a favor at every seat, i put 5-6 around center of each table. I figured men don't care about favors anyway so maybe only the woman (if its a couple ) would want one.

5. MADE MY OWN VEIL
There are plenty of patterns and directions online. I spent $12 on the tulle.

6. BORROW, BORROW, BORROW
Use whatever you can from any other recent brides. I was able to borrow a tiara, pew bows and a slip.

7. BUY THIS BOOK
"Bridal Bargains" by Denise Fields
Best wedding advice I ever got

8. KEEP THE CAKE SIMPLE
I ordered very simple 3 tier cake and decorated it with live flowers. I wanted a square shape but circular was cheaper so i got that.

9. COMPARISON SHOP FOR THE DRESS
Get the manufacturer and style # of the dress you like. This will be very difficult and might require some research. Bridal shops will flat out refuse to release this info because they DONT want you to comparison shop. Once you get it, go to other stores and see if they can order from that manufacturer and how much they want for it. Most bridal stores jumped at teh chance to beat the other store's price.

10. HAVE IT AT A HALL/HOTEL/SITE THAT IS "ALL INCLUSIVE"
Find a place that offers everything, catering, tables, linens etc. This way you dont have to worry about extra decorations or supplies. Spend the bulk of the budget on the reception costs. Choose a pasta dish, let dessert be the wedding cake. Skip the coffee, dessert, substitute sparkling juice for champagne.

11. SHORTEN THE GUEST LIST AND DONT BE AFRAID TO UNDERESTIMATE
Some people are just flaky and change their mind the day of.

Answer 5

Well, at least you have the first 2 hurdles over with - you have a date with sufficient time to plan - and you have a budget. $10K will get you more than you think - but prior planning will help reduce the costs even further.

Try this. Set your budget at say, $6K - and keep $4K in reserve. That way, the last minute budget busters won't hurt as much - and if you manage not to spend it - then you have more $$ in the bank for something more important - like a house.

Call in favors. I play music professionally - and often offer to play for friends' weddings as my wedding gift. Saves the bride $$ since she doesn't have to hire an organist. Maybe you have musical friends, too - or a friend who sews, bakes cakes, arranges flowers, etc.

Dress - wear your mothers/grandmothers/great aunt's etc. if you can. Make it - or have it made. Buy during the boutique's annual sample sale (where you can often get a dress for up to 1/2 off!) Rent the dress.

Guest List - the biggest money saver here is to keep the list as small as you possibly can - under 100 - under 75 is even better. If your catering is $50 per plate (and that's not unheard of at all) then 100 guests is $5,000 -half your budget - and we haven't even rented the hall!

Venue - If you aren't a member already, join a church of your choice right now. Attend regularly - it's good for you spiritually and church members often get to use the church for their weddings for free or at considerably reduced rates. Otherwise, check local parks, your family & friends' back yards etc. for garden weddings.

Reception - again the guest list is key - fewer guests not only add up to a smaller tab - but you have better choices for receptions besides large hotel meeting rooms - private clubs, good restaurants, inns, private gardens, etc. etc. can easily handle 50 guests - where a larger crowd might be overwhelming.

Catering - don't skimp on quality - but you might consider a mixed grill buffet instead of a sit-down dinner. Since you have time to plan, talk with a good caterer about this. Same with flowers - make them do double duty as church decorations and reception decorations.

Cake - don't skimp on quality here either - again , the smaller guest list means you can get a smaller cake by Pierre the Expensive.

Finally - a word about gifts. Never ask for cash gifts. I'll go as far as not even mentioning it as a preference to your bridal party. Just accept the 6 toasters with grace and exchange them quietly.

Answer 6

If $10,00is a small budget then I guess I am cheapppp. I plan to spend no more than $5000 and so far we are $1200 in. I am getting my stuff from Walmart, AC Moore craft store and Michaels craft store. I am also shopping online for other things at oriental trading. Try to get your dress when they have a sale going like when Davids Bridal does the $99 sale. Try to find a cheaper cater to do the food. Try to find a cheaper place for flowers or get silk flowers. Just some suggestions that I am doing for my wedding. Hope this helps.
Good Luck and Congrats.

Answer 7

Try to get in below your budget. There are lots of web sites that will help with managing and getting things cheap, just google it. Here's a few -

-Make your own invitations. Get some special paper and a computer program and make them yourself.
-Do your own favors for the table at the reception.
-See if your flowerist will let you help them with the arrangments, they may cut you a deal.
-Make the meal plan simple for everyone at the reception. Have 2 meals that they can choose from or have a buffett. It'll save you money on a caterer.
-Get a family member to take the pictures, or a college student taking photography class and is just trying to make extra $$.
-Know anyone that can bake? If they're really good, have them make the cake as a wedding present for you.
-Have the bridesmaids buy their own dresses, then you have a little extra $$ to spend on their gifts.
-Rent, don't buy, the tuxes/suits for the guys.
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Answer 8

DIY as much as possible. Go to places like Wal mart to buy cheap materials to make favours, invitations, decorations and centrepieces. Ring around a lot and compare prices. Cut back on as much as you can, like choose a cheaper dress, cheaper (although not necessarily worse) photographer and videographer if you're having them or ask some of your family to do the videoing and photos if they don't mind. See if you have an aunt or someone who is good at making cakes. See if any of your family have nice cars you can borrow. Have a smaller bridal party and this will save you money on their hair/ make-up whatever. Sometimes Sunday weddings are cheaper so be sure to ask reception venues if that is the case. Why not have a cocktail wedding? They are much cheaper than sit-down dinners. Ask reception venues what month or time of year is cheaper. There are many options to save you money, just be creative and look around. Good luck!

Answer 9

Your budget is around what my budget is. My first suggestion is to DIY flowers, hand tied simple bouquets can be just as beautiful. if you do a google search for wholesale flowers you will see just how inexpensive it is. It may save you around 1,000 depending on the size of your wedding. Second DIY your invitations, it is cheap and easy to do. Your local craft store may carry DIY kits that cost around $35.00 for 50 invitations, 50 RSVP and envelopes. Also find a reception site that provides some sort of centerpieces, mine is providing hurricanes and a candle , and i am just adding my own personal touch of fall leaves to the table, and colored napkins. If i think of anymore i will be sure to send another comment...
Good luck to you! and Congrats!

Answer 10

It's important to maintain control of your guest list. Don't use "and guest" or "and family" -- invite everyone by name, even small children. If singles get "and guest" invitations, the likely result is that many of them will drag along someone they hardly know.

Better to call each of them and ask "Is there someone special you'd like me to invite?" If yes, you get a name and send that person an individual invitation. (If the two are living together, you may send a single invitation with each name written on a seperate line.) If no, then assure that there will be other singles there and you'll see to it that they are introduced. (Weddings used to be great places for singles to meet up, back before The Wedding Industry spread the pernicious myth that single guests should drag along a date.)

There is nothing incorrect about inviting adults and not concerning yourself with their children. Childcare is their problem, not yours. If they can't arrange a sitter, then they obviously aren't that eager to attend. There is nothing incorrect about inviting some people's children and not others. One invites people one knows and cares about and does not invite people one barely knows; that applies children as well as grown-ups. It's a silly idea that if one invites one's favorite nephew, then one must allow all ones guests to bring all thier children.

Don't by a "package" from the printer. Invitations and envelopes are needed, yes. You may also need either reception cards or ceremony cards if you're inviting some people to one but not the other. You don't need 'save the dates'. E-mail, phone, or very short handwritten notes are fine for such an informal message. You don't need place cards; there are properly written by hand. You don't need programs or a custom printed guest book; no one had ever heard of such things 35 years ago. And you certainly don't need RSVP cards; they are worse than useless and cost a fortune to put postage on.

Do your RSVPs by phone; put the ph# next to or beneath the RSVP on the invitations. In a phone conversation you politely make it clear who is welcome who, regretfully, is not invited. "I'm sorry, but we're not having children" and "I know they'd love to meet your houseguests some other time, but the wedding is only for people they actually know and care about." (Yes, I said THEY. You need not do all this RSVP phone work personally; put your friends and family to work!)

Another great advantage to RSVP by phone is that people will ASK what sort of gift you might like. You already know how awkward it is to let people know where you are registered (or that you want cash) without committing the etiquette crime of including this in your invitation. This problem didn't exist until The Wedding Industry invented RSVP cards.

Last, be guided by Emily Post and Miss Manners, not by minions of The Wedding Industry. Their authoritive advice on spending can be summed up by "If you don't need it for birthday, graduation, or retirement parties, then you can probably do without at a wedding party." Thus the Etiquette Squad saves you the expence of fripperies engraved with names & dates, shoddy little gifts for each guest, and other Wedding Industry promoted idiocies.

Congrats and best wishes.