2007-12-26 06:47:23 · 11 answers · asked by kristina h 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Thanks for all the great ideas so far...now to complicate things, how do we include our kids? we have 6 between us...4 girls age 13, 11, 10, 6 and 2 boys age 14 and 12.
2007-12-27 02:30:39 · update #1
My fiance has just informed me that we need to go cheaper...as inexpensive as possible...we were going to jamaica to the sandals resort but he doesnt want us to be broke when we get back since there are other things we need to do.
2007-12-27 02:51:38 · update #2
we have the church and the pastor:$150...the brand new gown that i got lucky to find:$130...the invitation paper:$2.00...the reception place: free because I'm a member there...the flowers will be cheap:high school horticulture instructor with wholesale floral connections...video:$150 with 6 dvd's(friend of my mother)...photo: cheap(my stepbrother)...the only things left for us to figure out is cheap food, decorations, music for the reception and honeymoon...we dont know anyone musically savvy to help us with that part.
2007-12-27 02:56:54 · update #3
oh yeah! we found a tux to rent with everything included for $70 and we want a limo since neither one of us ever had one:$170...does anyone think it would be crazy to at least splurge on a dj that would mc the reception???
2007-12-27 02:58:57 · update #4
we are having a 2 tier cake and a grooms cake also:$100
2007-12-27 03:05:45 · update #5
is it possible to go on a honeymoon for a few days somewhere warm in march for $1000 or less?
2007-12-29 02:52:47 · update #6
OK! The first thing you have to do is make out your guest list. ONLY invite family and friends that your close to. leave off the shirt tail friends and relatives you haven't seen in 20 years or the relatives you don't like. My mother wanted me to invite some family members I had not seen since I was a kid. My wedding, MY MONEY.. Anyway....
Invitations: Make your own. This is how I made mine: Found some samples online. Plagarized ALOT (LOL). Messed with the script a bit. Then went to Kinkos, and found matching paper and envelopes. I came home and printed them on my home computer. Cost:$15.00. Make sure you put RSVP by a certain date. that way you have a head count. You don't want to end up paying for a guest that isin't going to show up.
Venue: Find a place to get married that is inexpensive. Local Park, Lakeside, Ocean, National Park, Hills overlooking your home, Someones Garden/Backyard. Inside venues have a tendency to have a higher price tag.
Time of the wedding: You might want to consider an early afternoon wedding and reception.
Food: Serve finger sandwiches, veggie, meat, fruit trays. punch (this is what i did). But if you want to have an actual meal consider a buffet style. We didn't have alcohol (but my stupid room mates did.. ugh... got drunk at your reception and they were rude to our familes.). Serve punch, soda, and have sparkling apple juice to make toasts.
Decor: Keep it really simple. Ive noticed alot of brides are going with candles. It might seem "cheap" but it's how you dress up the candles that make it nice. You can buy all of the plates, napkins, cuttlery, candles,table covers at the dollar store.
Flowers: Buy fresh flowers and make your own bouquets, and boutineers. Buy flowers that are in your colors, but in SEASON. It's when you buy flowers that are exotic or hard to get that the bill really adds up.
Wedding attire: Choose an inexpensive gown. You can get a really nice prom dress for an inexpensive price and dress it up with accessories. Have your groom wear a suit that he already owns, and buy him a shirt to make your colors.
Wedding Party: We didn't have any groomsman or bridesmaids. But if you want someone up there with you... only have one person up there with you. This prevents congestion at the altar.
Other expenses you may want to cut out are wedding favors, monogramed napkins etc. This really adds up as well.
Music: Create a CD with your favorite songs or possibly program an iPod.
Honeymoon: Take advantage of web deals. you can go on a week long honeymoon if you plan it just right. I know that alot of resorts have really great deals. You can stay at a B&B. Go on a cruise (all meals included except alcohol).
Rings: Get them on sale. You would be surprised what mark downs you can get some jewelry if you shop the ads (especially since it's right after christmas).
I hope this helps.
2007-12-26 10:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by Leslie Y 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out discount stores and clearance racks for bridesmaid's and wedding dresses. Look for clearance items at craft stores and friends or relatives that do things like cake baking, decorating and floral arrangement.
I did my entire wedding and a cake reception for under $200!
Honeymoon was to an inexpensive amusement park less than 2 hours from our house. We had a blast! Got a cheap motel via Priceline or some other travel website. Total honeymoon cost us around $300-400!
2007-12-26 16:35:20 · answer #2 · answered by Amy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
where are you, and what are your expectations, I got married for 3000.00 but I was not looking for over the top, so I had lots left for the honeymoon, I did not look at thousand dollar venues nor thousand dollar dresses, i did not have a cocktail hour and I had used friends and family, I have a friend who is a DJ and a friend who is a photographer, and my parents were caterers before they retired. Find a DJ you like and use him for three hours or less, find a student at a college to take the pictures and fo to an out fo the way btiday shop for your dress, and dont wear "wedding shoes: they cost a lot and are ugly.
2007-12-26 15:33:21 · answer #3 · answered by MrsMagee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An early church ceremony with only your closest relatives and friends. A brunch would only cost about $20 per person, figure 50 guests would be $1000 - with tip $1200. Plan your honeymoon, an island would cost approximately $3,000. Make sure you go to an all inclusive.
2007-12-26 15:01:05 · answer #4 · answered by mrsdeli 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep it small and simple.
A friend of mine just got married for under $300. It was the second one for each of them. I performed the service for free (I got "ordained" by the Universal Life Church, who will ordain anyone for free in 5 minutes.) We had the service in his living room. There were just 12 guests. He took us all out to a medium-priced restaurant for lunch afterwards.
Most real ministers will marry you in their study or office, if you give them enough time. You could do that with just the Bride & Groom's immediate family watching, have cake and champagne for everyone, then head out on a drive-it-yourself honeymoon.
Depending on when and where, you can get married in a park or back yard instead of a banquet hall or cathedral.
Serve punch and cake instead of a 3-course meal.
Drive to a nice B&B in the hills/seashore near you instead of flying to Maui.
2007-12-26 15:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We had friends who did one of the "packages" in Jamaica, now these are available in lot's of places their chosen one just happened to be Jamaica.
The package included the wedding feasting minister most everything you could think of.
This might be worth looking into as they pulled off the whole deal including the honeymoon ( they were already there lol) for under 8 grand.
Congrats and good luck and above all have fun with your "day"
2007-12-26 14:57:43 · answer #6 · answered by wistaweee 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Elopemeny is good. And romantic. Don't let others dictate your wedding wants. Lots of poor people get married without spending lots of money. My daughter did it her way. She used the social hall. Her sisters and friends made all the decorations. They cut flowers from friend's gardens. The dress was hand sown. It was actually very nice. The groom was in a suit that he could wear later. The wedding party had matching ties with dark suits. The ladies had sown dresses from matching material.
2007-12-26 14:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Have friends and family help you in any way they can. My mom and her friends is doing my catering, and making my dress. I have a friend who is doing my pictures, and my fiancees friend runs a videography business and is doing it for free! Just make sure the people you have help you know how to do the task!
2007-12-26 14:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by Cute Mom of 2 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Have the wedding in your house and spend the weekend at a local hotel
2007-12-26 14:55:54 · answer #9 · answered by Boomrat 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Marriage license is about $50. then find a motel for the weekend and spend maybe $300 max., save the rest of the money for a divorce in a few years
2007-12-26 14:57:26 · answer #10 · answered by xyz 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋