Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by curiousgeorge

Okay I agree this is a great post...but I cant believe you didnt give a favor, or at least a donation.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by laural2979

Here here!!! And I thought that I was the only one who felt that way about cry packs...

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

i hate cry packs..its soooo silly
and donations too..thats another stupid thing..JMO..ill make my own donations..waht if you donate something in someones name and they are really against that charity..that would be akward..

like for me..im am totally 100% AGAINST PETA and if someone donated money in my name to them..id freak out and tell them to take it back or something

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by curiousgeorge

Okay I agree this is a great post...but I cant believe you didnt give a favor, or at least a donation.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

im seriously considering not doing a favor now..but ialready bought everything

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

I agree with practically everything. Especially with the negotiating part!! Negotiate everything!!!!

I did not do any of the little things that are popular on here - no cry packs (I also felt it was presumptuous), petal cones, I DO letters, frame placecards, Love trinkets, slipper baskets, OOT bags, bathroom baskets, etc. Course I also splurged on some things (headband, shoes, photographer), but the little things that add a lot of cost when added in the end were not a part of it.

My mom got one set of bubbles from a wholesale store for about $2.00 and we used that after the church.

Unity Candle was bought at Michaels. My mom had a coupon and we spent about $4 on the 3 pieces. The church provided the holders.

I got my invites ONLINE - yes, without seeing them in person. They were pretty and reasonably priced and didn't look like traditional wedding invites. The invites with ALL the additional inserts (ie envelopes, response cards, reception cards), color-lined envelopes and colored ink came out to less than $4 each set.

We had no programs. Although we did get married at a church, I just felt like it was a waste of money to do them. No one really cares that much, they just want to see you get married.

We also did not have a cake topper - I just don't see the reason for this. My own personal opinion.

We used the menu, cake cutter, and server the hall provided. Also used their toasting flutes. We received about 3 sets of toasting flutes as gifts, but even if we hadn't, I would not have purchased a separate set just for the wedding. It's additional money that just doesn't need to be spent.

I made the placecards myself, with the help of my bms, from something I saw in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. Besides the time, the TOTAL cost was about $5 ($1 for each large piece of construction paper and $2 for the little beads I glued in the center of the petal cone).

Also went with a local florist and limo company who my dad knows. Saved us a lot of money and everything was great with both vendors. I used basic white roses as centerpieces - that's it. This saved us tons of money as well.

The vases were bought at Michael's when they had the 40% off coupons so I think I paid about $2 for each vase. I bought the ribbon at a wholesale store for about $3 and did the ribbon around the vases myself - the ribbon did ALL six vases.

For my garter, I paid $1 (one dollar) for it at a wholesale store. We weren't going to do a garter toss, so even though I wanted to wear one b/c it was my wedding, there was no need to spend any more money on it.

Get creative and don't be afraid to put some time into some parts of the wedding. It could save you a lot of money and add a personal touch to your day.

Message edited 5/4/2007 7:47:51 AM.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

love this thread! i actually wrote a hwole responce my self, but it told me i had to relog in so i lost it all.

but i agree with everything!!! i am being very cheap with my stuff.. but it is all amazing

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

I'm having my wedding on a Sunday night, with no alcohol. I'm also not having no menu upgrade b/c most of my guest do not eat pork, shellfish, lobster, or shrimp.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

Message edited 5/3/2007 4:44:55 PM.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

The only thing I have to say about donations...is first of all no one should expect a gift...so if you are mad for walking out a of wedding without a gift and a piece of paper that says where the married couple donated ....then why bother going!!???
JMO

And also, the donation they make is for something that usually is very important to them and whose right is it to tell them or say behind their backs to someone at the wedding that I cant believe they donated to that fund. I am donating to the SIDS foundation because my brother passed away from it when he was younger. It means alot to my family and maybe one day with the money being funded they can find out what causes this to occur in babies and help prevent it and future losses- so YES I feel my donation is worth something!!!

And also, usually the couple does not donate something in your name...they just donate a certain amount of money and receive scrolls from that foundation to use at your wedding. They didnt specifically put your nameon a piece of paper and say it was from you!!

Sorry not trying to sound like a ***** but i think we need to stop critcizing what other people do cause it isnt our wedding and we do what we want at our wedding and they do what they want at theirs!!

THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD THOUGH!! very helpful!!!!

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

I just want to say, thanks a million for this post. I wish I would have seen it before I booked my RH. I got a fair deal but looking back at it I think that if I wasn't such a scardycat , I could have gotten a better price.

However I am trying to cut corners on other things. I am planning to make some changes b/c of this post, i.e. favors, invites, veil (why should I spend $200 for a veil), def not getting my dream shoes. I am still early in the game and havn't made any purchases yet but will post my finds as I go along.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by Mizzdimple

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by SaraCDeJ

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Posted by Mizzdimple

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i think a donation is worse than a favor
i donate to lots of charities all year round, that is nobody's business and does not belong as a public announcement at my wedding
JMO

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Message edited 5/3/2007 5:07:39 PM.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by SaraCDeJ

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Posted by Mizzdimple

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i think a donation is worse than a favor
i donate to lots of charities all year round, that is nobody's business and does not belong as a public announcement at my wedding
JMO

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

Preach!!!

This is a very HONEST and TRUE thread. I think sometimes people on here, including myself, feel overwhelmed or obligated to keep up and do every little thing suggested....when the truth is...I always say.....spend your money on your pictures...because at the end of the day..the year....the decade...the generation...it is your pictures that yourself and your family will bring you back to that moment.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

Thank you for your advice

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by cbcf

The only thing I have to say about donations...is first of all no one should expect a gift...so if you are mad for walking out a of wedding without a gift and a piece of paper that says where the married couple donated ....then why bother going!!???
JMO

And also, the donation they make is for something that usually is very important to them and whose right is it to tell them or say behind their backs to someone at the wedding that I cant believe they donated to that fund. I am donating to the SIDS foundation because my brother passed away from it when he was younger. It means alot to my family and maybe one day with the money being funded they can find out what causes this to occur in babies and help prevent it and future losses- so YES I feel my donation is worth something!!!

And also, usually the couple does not donate something in your name...they just donate a certain amount of money and receive scrolls from that foundation to use at your wedding. They didnt specifically put your nameon a piece of paper and say it was from you!!

Sorry not trying to sound like a ***** but i think we need to stop critcizing what other people do cause it isnt our wedding and we do what we want at our wedding and they do what they want at theirs!!

THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD THOUGH!! very helpful!!!!

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by BbyJenny

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Posted by cbcf

The only thing I have to say about donations...is first of all no one should expect a gift...so if you are mad for walking out a of wedding without a gift and a piece of paper that says where the married couple donated ....then why bother going!!???
JMO

And also, the donation they make is for something that usually is very important to them and whose right is it to tell them or say behind their backs to someone at the wedding that I cant believe they donated to that fund. I am donating to the SIDS foundation because my brother passed away from it when he was younger. It means alot to my family and maybe one day with the money being funded they can find out what causes this to occur in babies and help prevent it and future losses- so YES I feel my donation is worth something!!!

And also, usually the couple does not donate something in your name...they just donate a certain amount of money and receive scrolls from that foundation to use at your wedding. They didnt specifically put your nameon a piece of paper and say it was from you!!

Sorry not trying to sound like a ***** but i think we need to stop critcizing what other people do cause it isnt our wedding and we do what we want at our wedding and they do what they want at theirs!!

THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD THOUGH!! very helpful!!!!

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I'm with the BOTW. We are doing a donation in lieu of a favor. My FH's mother passed away from cancer four years ago, and we are donating to research on her type of cancer at the hospital where she was treated. It's our way of including her in the event and acknowledging the loss everyone on his side of the family feels not to have her at the first family wedding since she passed.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by Rissespieces

Hey are there any other money saving tips out there?

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by AmorPeruano

Preach!!!

This is a very HONEST and TRUE thread. I think sometimes people on here, including myself, feel overwhelmed or obligated to keep up and do every little thing suggested....when the truth is...I always say.....spend your money on your pictures...because at the end of the day..the year....the decade...the generation...it is your pictures that yourself and your family will bring you back to that moment.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

great posts....haven't done any bookings but the RH and this makes me feel better about it all!

weddings have gotton so out of hand these days. we'd rather put money into our honeymoon then flowers that will hardly be seen....more of candle people anyway!!

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

This thread totally made my day. I really feel so much better about cutting corners and trying to stay out of the "LIW trap" because of this thread. It's so easy to fall into the trap when you hear about brides spending more than 3 or 4 months of car payments on a veil, etc.... It makes you feel like your wedding won't "be as nice." Which is such garbage, really. Not only that, you begin losing sight of the bigger picture.

Thank you for grounding me!

I will say though, that giving a donation in memory of someone, or to be used towards a local food bank, etc. is fantastic. I would much rather donate my "favor budgeted money" to a worthy charity than buying small trinkets for people that will probably never be used. I really don't understand why that is "worse" than a favor. Especially when we could possible see cures to some of these awful diseases in our lifetime.

Message edited 5/4/2007 3:48:57 PM.

Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by beachbum05

This thread totally made my day. I really feel so much better about cutting corners and trying to stay out of the "LIW trap" because of this thread. It's so easy to fall into the trap when you hear about brides spending more than 3 or 4 months of car payments on a veil, etc.... It makes you feel like your wedding won't "be as nice." Which is such garbage, really. Not only that, you begin losing sight of the bigger picture.

Thank you for grounding me!

I will say though, that giving a donation in memory of someone, or to be used towards a local food bank, etc. is fantastic. I would much rather donate my "favor budgeted money" to a worthy charity than buying small trinkets for people that will probably never be used. I really don't understand why that is "worse" than a favor. Especially when we could possible see cures to some of these awful diseases in our lifetime.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

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Posted by beachbum05


I will say though, that giving a donation in memory of someone, or to be used towards a local food bank, etc. is fantastic. I would much rather donate my "favor budgeted money" to a worthy charity than buying small trinkets for people that will probably never be used. I really don't understand why that is "worse" than a favor. Especially when we could possible see cures to some of these awful diseases in our lifetime.

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Re: Official "How to save money on your wedding" thread!

Also, I don't feel that by giving a donation and letting people know it at your wedding you are somehow gloating, or showing that you're a "great person" by donating to a charity. If there is a connection to a certain charity I think it's beautiful for the couple to do so...

I don't think its any more or less better than giving a favor....but to say that it's "worse" is really not fair.