what are some realistic things i can do so that i can pay for my wedding?

Question

i need to pay for my own wedding,and its looking like its going to be around 20,000 dollars. what are some ways i can go about paying for it, besides the obvious answers like getting a loan and such. im getting married april 2009. thank you so much in advance.

Answer 1

Really, try not to take a loan for your wedding. It's craziness to still be paying for the wedding on your fifth-year anniversary.

We're completely paying for our wedding, too. When we got engaged, we opened a special account for the wedding fund. Out of our savings, we deposited about 20% of our wedding budget to get started. Having a separate account means we don't dip into it for other things, and we always know exactly how much we have, and how much more we need. Any checks we get (rebates, company expense reimbursmeents, medical reimbursements, tax refunds, etc.) go straight into the wedding fund. I also have a jar in the kitchen. Into the jar goes whatever we save in coupons, store loyalty cards, rebates, and whatever is left in our wallets on payday. You'd be surprised how quickly those little things add up. When the jar gets to about a hundred dollars or so, it goes into the bank account (again, so we're not tempted to dip into it--once the money is in the account, we have to justify a withdrawal).

We cut back on those small expenses that add up: we take our lunches to work, rent more movies than we go to the theater for, eat out less often, and in less expensive places, take the bus rather than a cab or paying for parking. We each put a specific amount out of each paycheck into the fund, which is easier to do with those small expenses under control. I sold a motorcycle that I rarely rode anymore, and the proceeds went into the wedding fund. I also took a short-term second job doing something I like so it doesn't feel too much like work.

Also, saving is only one-half of the picture. Keep your expenses down so you don't spend so much. Do whatever parts yourselves that you can. For example, with the help of a crafty friend, we're making our invitations, thank-you cards, programs and seating place cards. We're also making the centerpieces, favors and my veil. Don't be afraid to negotiate with vendors. We worked out a special menu because we weren't crazy about the standard choices, and it ended up saving about $10 a plate. We negotiated with the DJ (the venue recommended him, so he cut his rate a couple of hundred dollars because he is very familiar with the venue, set-up, rules, staff, etc.). The photographer put together a custom package for us that was less-expensive than the standard ones. Cutting costs will make it easier to meet your budget.

You've got lots of time. Just put a savings plan together and stick with it. And, congratulations!

Answer 2

A second job is always an option. I know it won't save as much as you'd like but it's some. And if your fiance helped out then it would be twice as much. I work a second job 12 hours a week and bring in about $450/ month. Over a 1 year period that's over $5000. Find something that you are good at making and sell them to friends and family. Or just make bracelets or something and sell them for a couple dollars each for the "wedding fund." That's a lot of money to come up with in a year in your spare time. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I did a Spreadsheet--put the items we're paying for at the top...and budgeted an affordable amount we had to pay on what per pay period/month...worked like a charm! DO NOT CHARGE--BUDGET! If you have to push the date back but whatever you do donot go into debt for your Wedding. Not smart. Start w/ picking vendors and SECURING your date w/ a deposit...it comes up quicker then you could possibly imagine.

Don't forget to take in to account you need to still live...which includes--gas, food, etc....

Also--shop ebay for as many things (runner, flutes, candles) as you can and if your Bride is crafty see if she would print the invites, put together favors...this all saves money!!

We're having 200 people for $18,000~ And you honestly would think we're having a $50,000 wedding--it's all about being crafty w/ money. Look for deals...for instance...our Limo company runs specials--buy 3 hrs get 2 free... W/ Our photograper we got a pkg (it include the large photos & a storybook album but the coolest thing is--they give us all the photos on a CD and we OWN themt therefore can print as many photos as we want afterwards. Best of luck!

Answer 4

Why 20k? I never understood that. You are probably inviting everyone you have ever had contact with right? WHY?
I always thought I wanted one of those HUGE weddings but when we started planning it, it just didn't feel right. So we totally scrapped everything and did it cheap and easy. We had 70 of the most important people in our life and we had simple food. People said it was the best wedding they had been too. There was talking and laughing and dancing and FUN! Just think about it.
(We chose 70 people because we made a list. If we only saw the people at funerals or other realtives weddings, they weren't invited. Only the people who were involved in our everday lives.)

Answer 5

It's all about living within your means. 20,000 seems a bit ridiculous to me. But think inexpensive, for example talk to people, someone may know a good photographer, caterer, or dj, that may not charge a lot. Make your own invitations, or get them from the dollar store. There are certain things that don't need to be "top of the line" mainly because an actual wedding is less than an hour. Get some "inexpensive" candles, go to Walmart, dollar store, etc. Rent a Tux instead of buying one. You get the picture.

Answer 6

Honestly, the best thing to do is cut down on items you don't need to. For example, I always get coffee in the mornings on my way to work. That's $2 a day (i get it on weekends too)

If I start bring my coffee from home, I could save a ton of money ($2x365 days) It's about $730 a year. That's almost a 1K that I'm wasting getting coffee. You'd be surprised what you waste money on (we all do it, don't feel bad)

Think about how many times a week you buy food away from home, such as lunch as work or take out on the weeks. That can save a couple thousand a year (and lead to better eating habits)

Also, try having a garage sale or selling stuff on E-bay. Everyone has junk they don't use and that's in good condition. Sell it and earn money.

You have 15 months between now and your wedding. That's about $1300 a month you need to save. You could save about 1/2 of that buy cutting out coffee and takeout (like I said) The other $500 can be as simple as setting aside $60 (each you and your Fi) from your paycheck a week.

Also, don't listen to people!! Whoever says 20K is too much DOES NOT live in the Northeast. I tried planning a wedding for 15K, it wasn't nearly enough and I picked cheaper vendors.

Answer 7

I don't think the obvious answer is getting a loan. I think the obvious answer is save your money, and have a wedding within your budget, whatever you are able to save. It can be done for much less and still be beautiful and classy. I'm not saying $20K is too much to spend on a wedding, i'm just saying if you're not able to save that much, don't go into debt, just try to cut some more corners so you can actually afford it.

Answer 8

You can spend as much or as little as you need. I had a small wedding with 30 people.. including a sit down dinner at a seaside restaurant. everything, limo, chaplain, bag piper ( yes we are scottish ) dress, invites were done for $5000! Nothing worse than starting a marriage in debt. Don't live beyond your means. If family wishes to help than fine.. but otherwise be forwarned... people are in the wedding business to make money.
( I found a quaint lil seaside bugalow that caters weddings at the beach... per person.. per plate.. no chapagne was $100 per guest... becareful!)

Answer 9

when i started my wedding planning my cost was like 25,000 but after some realistic thinking it ended up costing about 3000 and 1500 of that was dress, shoes, jewelery, and catering. my wedding did not cost a lot and was planned in three months and all my guest said it was the nicest wedding they had been to in a long time. we did our own decorating, bought stuff at yard sales, really good deals, like ribbon, wine glasses,(new not used) for the entire family, table covers, it was unreal all the stuff we found, then the family dollar, dollar tree, i made all my own center pieces for 30 tables it might have costed 100.00. trust me when u get creative it's amazing what you can do. start hunting for bargains now, while the wedding season is not in full bloom. Get on here and find things you like and make them yourself and make them your own. trust me a large budget can be cut quick if it has to be. All my bridesmaid dresses were bought at yard sales after prom and they all were the same color. they dont' have to exactly the same, all my girls loved there dresses. we even had extra dresses but it didnt matter because we only paid like 15.00 for it. my mother in law done everyones hair with her technique she does with bobbin pins and we put it up the same on all the girls. looked great. good luck and congrats. If you want to see any pics for ideas or want some help u can email me . [e-mail]

Answer 10

ask yourself the difference between need and want...would it be that crazy of an idea to put the money into a savings account or apply it towards a down on a home? If you're trying to avoid debt for a wedding of 20k or are trying to conjure up ways to raise it, it's really money you don't have...all for the sake of a party and wedding memories? You can be w/ your intended minus the 20k, just get married and have a celebration for something else that comes along in life when you do have the money to spend. Priorities of house + car seem to be more important than a costly wedding...