Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I am trying very hard to keep things reasonably priced, as I just graduated from college, have to get my masters, and FH and I are paying for most of the wedding.

Any other ladies out there trying to keep things reasonable? I already have my hall, but would greatly appreciate any other quotes or ideas for other vendors that you think are reasonable.

TIA

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I have booked my vendors but I am trying to keep accessories to a minimum like favors etc. tryin gto keep it to less than$5 a favor

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I am going to The Wedding Center for my gown. They have pretty good prices that are usually less than most places. They also dont carry really exspensive gowns....maybe the MOST is like $3000. That way you wont be tempted by a $5000 gown or something. Dont go someplace extravagant and exspensive b/c then u might get lured in...lol.Try Maggie Sottero gowns....i think they are gorgeous and I dont think I saw one more than 1200...and thats the high end. A lot of them are about 800 or so. The ones that I have looked at are no more than 750. I'm prob getting one of her gowns. She also just came out with a whole bunch of new ones for 2006.

Maggie Sottero Website

This site can give you an idea of price and also some more pics!
Bride Save

Hope this helps!!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

my hall gave me a program that has a budgeter in it--or i like using theknot.com's budget planner

i too have to be a fiscal bride. FH and i are paying for the entire thing. we started with one budget--but have gone over it. but now i know there is only so much we have to spend on things.

you just have to go into your vendors telling yourself-- "I can NOT spend more than X amount" and that's it....no matter what. of course you w/ill probably find some things that you might think are worth it--to 'slurge' but only you know what that might be.

good luck & happy planning!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Definatly budget concious here. First reason why I booked a winter wedding. It didn't matter to me that it would be cold, the prices are much less and I don't have to fight over vendors. I am cutting alot of corners, and still spending more than I dreamed of.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Call me budget queen....FH and I are paying for everything and we both don't have a lot of money, so we are definitely budget conscious!

I don't like posting about moeny on here since you don't want to offend anyone, but let me just tell you I am having a wedding for 175 people with a band and a great photo/ video guy within my budget of no more than 15K and I am comfortable with all my vendors. Please let me know if I can be of help, I'll be happy to refer you to people. I dont' recall when you're wedding is, but since I am having a February wedding, the vendors were anxious to book also and were very willing to negotiate!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I am and soooooo far its been pretty good. We havent gone over YET!!! But we budgeted a little higher on certain things so in the end if we go over on something it might actually even out.

Or there could almost be that stroke of luck (which is my luck) that I want something that I budgeted waaaaaaaay low for....then I will just have to go over my budget, A girls gotta have what a girls gotta have

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

We're soooo on a budget. We're paying for the wedding ourselves with about $2500 from my mom, his sister paying for our limo and his brother paying for our flowers other than that we're on our own. We're trying to do it for 15K-20K max with only about 100-120 guests. My dress is $915 and the alterations will be done by a friend's aunt who's doing my friend's alterations. We have our favors from fsil's wedding in 2004 (73 silver wedding bell picture frames), lots of ebay and sale shopping. Also I'm doing the invites (probably) myself.

Message edited 2/23/2006 11:13:37 PM.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

We have the same situation!

We're looking for an inexpensive photographer, we'll be making albums ourselves using online publishers. (Much cheaper - under $100 a book.)

We booked a relatively inexpensive videographer, but he does GREAT work.

We bought centerpieces after Christmas, on clearance. They're bay leaf wreaths with candles and a chrome base...they were about $25 each.

Favors will be 1 per couple - and hopefully around $5. (full bottles of wine)

DJ instead of a band

a lot of DIY projects instead of hiring someone

etc.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

We certainly are... we see it as we can have a house next year or a big ole wedding... so we're gonna have the house AND a nice elegant resonable priced wedding...
Thats why i got all my stuff done in 4 weeks after getting engaged.. .all resonable (06 prices) and time to save and pay off.. we are doing it all ourselves..
If you put your mind to it and do lots of research you can get "cheap" prices for every facet of the event!

All I have to say is thank goodness for the internet! How did brides do anything without it!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

alot of DIY projects.. you have to shop when you know there will be sales like black friday, after christmas.. the craft stores will be your new favorite place.. and be creative..

Definatly do your research...

I'm not creative but thank goodness FH is.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

---

Posted by snowcat

I am trying very hard to keep things reasonably priced, as I just graduated from college, have to get my masters, and FH and I are paying for most of the wedding.

Any other ladies out there trying to keep things reasonable? I already have my hall, but would greatly appreciate any other quotes or ideas for other vendors that you think are reasonable.

TIA

---

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Sometimes with all of the planning I get carried away with the excitement, and it's so easy to forget to even ask how much things cost!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

we are definately on a budget, my dad, mom and fh family is helping us but we still need to spend wisely

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I definitely am doing this on a very tight budget! Also why I am getting married in the Winter, saved a lot of money..

I have not booked any other vendors yet, but I am really going to look for the best deal on all of them. I also let all vendors know that I am on a tight budget and won't pay over a certain amount.

I am trying to be as creative as possible. Thinking about doing my own centerpeices - floral that is!

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I think most of us are on a budget. We've made wise decisions, and spent more money on our vendors as we saw fit. Invitations, STD's, and favors were kept at a minimum. I think the only other thing we will spurge on is our bridal party gifts!!! There pretty awsome.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

---

Posted by Shorty McBride

We have the same situation!

We're looking for an inexpensive photographer, we'll be making albums ourselves using online publishers. (Much cheaper - under $100 a book.)

We booked a relatively inexpensive videographer, but he does GREAT work.

We bought centerpieces after Christmas, on clearance. They're bay leaf wreaths with candles and a chrome base...they were about $25 each.

Favors will be 1 per couple - and hopefully around $5. (full bottles of wine)

DJ instead of a band

a lot of DIY projects instead of hiring someone

etc.

---

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Alot of DIY is my advice, that's what we're going,. I want a Plaza wedding on a McDonald's budget

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Key word here "Trying"

It is so hard to because I want my wedding day to be everything I dreamed of, but I have to come to the fact that my last name is not Trump.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I'm trying too....but I don't know if it will happen.

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

With just 3 1/2 months until my wedding, I need to ask-what is a budget???

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

trying............lol

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

Hey, I don't know what kind of favors you're looking for but I am purchasing mine through
http://www.discountmugs.com ...I am ordering mixing glasses engraved with our names & wedding date...I am paying $0.83 a glass + an additional $0.15 for the little box they come in....good luck

Re: Any brides trying to do things on a budget?

I'm on a very tight budget b/c as of right now..i am paying for the wedding all by myself. I dont really have any family and FH and his family dont have much cash.
*There is no choice but to cut corners so the reception is a fri nite in april instead of a sat in May.
*My Bms are helping me w/ DIY tulip Boks.
*I am buying the paper stock at Kates Paperrie (?sp) and having a friend who is a graphic designer print them out.
*Votive place cards also serving as favors.
*Rehersal BBQ, anyone? Nothing says "thank you" like Amstel light and Chicken Kebobs!
*Instead of two limos....we are all going to take a 15 psgr escalade from the church to the reception. We did that for another wedding and had a blast laughing and drinking w/ everyone!
*Research!research! research! for vendors that are reputable but affordable....thats where all the great LIW ladies have been invaluable!