We may have a little money to spend. So i'm wondering if any one has run into the same problem and if they have maybe some ideas they thought of. thank you.
2007-10-30 10:28:14 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Pot luck pot luck pot luck. Make your own cake by having a cake making party with the girls. Keep it small in number. Have the reception as a picnic.
2007-10-30 10:34:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anna C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi and congratulations!
I hope I can help you. You don't say (and it's none of our business) how MUCH money you may have to work with...but regardless....here are some ideas:
~ With limited funds, you will need to have a small guest list.
~ Will your ceremony be at a church? The reason I ask is because most churches have a fellowship hall that you can use (usually for free if you are a member) for a reception. You could have an early afternoon wedding, like 2 p.m., and then simply have a cake, punch and coffee reception. OR...if you wanted a "little more", you could make a variety of desserts and have a "dessert reception." Also, if you did this type of reception, you would be able to have more people.
~ Not getting married at a church? There are still other options. Do you (or someone you know) have a big enough house? You can have something at someone's home. Again, you can do the cake, punch, champagne? reception. You can do a meal if you want also. It's really up to you what you want to serve and how much you have to spend. Remember, though, that if your reception is at a time when ANY kind of meal is normally served (lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), or (dinner, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), your guests WILL be expecting a meal.
~ A few other options would be to enlist family and friends? Sometimes you can pull off a potluck reception if others are OK with it.
~ Again, if it's early afternoon you can get away with a "light" menu.....finger sandwiches, assorted cheeses and crackers, fruit tray, veggie tray, cake, punch and coffee.
~ Have some simple centerpieces on the tables. Here is a link with some candle holders made with recycled baby food jars! They are soooo cute and easy:
http://www.craftideas.info/html/glass_jar.html
I hope you have a beautiful wedding AND reception!
2007-10-30 23:08:15 · answer #2 · answered by iloveweddings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have to be a formal affair. Just have a small get together after the wedding at your house or the house of a family member or friend. If it's an afternoon wedding, you can serve finger foods not a huge sit down dinner or have some of your family or friends help with the food so you don't have to hire caterers. You don't have to buy a wedding cake, you can just buy one from the store or something. Receptions are the biggest bulk of the wedding expense, but if you view it as a get together instead of a formal affair that includes all the extras, it doesn't have to break the bank. Weddings don't have to cost thousands of dollars...and hey, you'll be just as married as people who do spend thousands, right??? The marriage is most important, not the wedding/reception.
2007-10-30 17:39:05 · answer #3 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a lunch reception, or do a cocktail reception. At the lunch you will not be expected to have a large entree' saving you money there, and at a cocktail reception have a signature cocktail and serve lots of appetizers. Also you could try to have your reception on an off day such as thursday or sunday. But this puts a bit of a strain on your guests. I have also thought about having a cookout in the backyard and everyone could dress casual. Just some ideas to think about
2007-10-31 05:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by sden2616 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you're going small. A lot of people is expensive to feed no matter how frugal you are.
I'd suggest (not necessarily all of these - pick and choose of course!) finger sandwiches (egg salad/tuna salad), taquitos, eggrolls, you can get a variety of appetizers at Sam's Club, have someone help you make your cake - even if it's just a simple one. You may be able to ask friends to cook.
Fruit platters
Veggie platters
Also you could serve no food (best for a ceremony scheduled NOT at a meal time) and have what is commonly called a cake and punch reception. You serve cake, punch, coffee, and maybe put out little bowls of nuts & mints.
Congrats & good luck.
2007-10-30 20:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by Asked and Answered 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
- Have family members help you out in making food - it can be a buffet or just a heavy appetizer reception.
- Get food from Costco or Sam's in bulk to save money.
- Have a BBQ reception at a local park
- Have a "dessert reception" (this is usually best suited to an 7pm or later reception). Once again, have family members help make pies, cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, etc. and have a coffee or hot chocolate bar as opposed to an alcohol bar. Bonus to this? Don't need to worry about having a wedding cake!
2007-10-30 17:36:12 · answer #6 · answered by Muhnkee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have enough money to rent a hall, have a punch and cake reception. You can have snacks, desserts and then of course the wedding cake and punch. All of which you can do yourself for little cost.
You can also bring your own stereo/cd player and play your own CDs or record your own playlist or bring your own Ipod, instead of a DJ. It would be just as fun!
If any of your family has a big backyard, have a BBQ! Have family pitch in with the food and just have fun.
The important thing is marrying the one you love and spending time with family!
Good luck!
2007-10-30 20:41:10 · answer #7 · answered by Reba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats!! I'm totally in the same situation, here's what I did my fiance's father is BBQing for us and I googled Free places to have wedding and actualy there are places to have wedding and receptions out there that cost nothing, the place I'm talking about is in Austin TX. Anything you can do your self to save money is awesome!!. I even made my own invitations a little time and friends that scrap book and I saved $250.00 there. Also Hobby Lobby's have a cake decorating class you can take to save on your cake, that's what I did. Every little bit helps I hope your day goes great!!!
2007-10-30 17:50:50 · answer #8 · answered by niki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are doing a cocktail hour for our reception the food itself is going to be around $400 for over 150 guest. Like some others said go to sams or costco they save you alot of money. You can do things like a fruit platter or a veggie platter or the little sandwiches..these are just ideas but thats what we are doing...We are also getting a chocolate fountain...my mother already has one so that wont be to hard...but who doesnt love trying new things with chocolate..they are about $30-$40. I hope that this helps. Also for a drink non-alcholic you can try orange sherbert ice cream and ginger-ale...VERY YUMMY...
Also CONGRATS!!!
2007-10-31 13:36:53 · answer #9 · answered by I am Mrs. H! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I got married the second time my mum arranged a meal for the immediate families at her house something like Melon then chicken with salad and baked potatoes plus gateau for pudding and she got her friends to serve it. You could do something like that and then in the evening throw a party where all the guests bring a bottle and a plate of food.
You can get cakes cheaply from the supermarket and throw some silk flowers over them.
Your money can then be spent on your flowers, your dress (second hand is good) your bridesmaids and your honeymoon.
Have a great day!
2007-10-30 19:44:11 · answer #10 · answered by bri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol free will save you a lot of money. Also, go to Sam's Club or Costco; they have great prices for bulk food that needs little or no preparation. Also, see if they will give you a bulk discount because it is for your wedding reception. Another great idea would be to see if anyone local will sponsor you in return for advertising? Best wishes!
2007-10-30 17:49:48 · answer #11 · answered by Karston's Mom - 7/7/08! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋