Budget Weddings Forum — The Knot Community

Moved: Where to get married

wandajune6 — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:04:39 +0000

This discussion has been moved.

Moved: Is a Wedding under $10K even possible in Miami?

wandajune6 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:15:49 +0000

This discussion has been moved.

Buying tablecloths instead of renting?

jdevae — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:50:25 +0000

I'm looking to save money anywhere I can. I've read a lot of people buy their tablecloths instead of renting. The problem I'm having is finding the color I want in the size I need. I want a pale yellow in a 120" round polyester. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Moved: Fall Rustic Wedding around Pittsburgh PA

wandajune6 — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 15:38:22 +0000

This discussion has been moved.

Caught in a pickle

Knottie81969606 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:33:53 +0000

My Fiance and I have been engaged for 3 years and finally started to plan our wedding. (We decided to be enaged for a year before actually planning, then once we planned, found out we were expecting. our little guy's 1 1/2 yo)

There are many things that I am stressing about that I probably shouldn't be stressing over:

1) The place we were planning on having our recepetion "over booked" and wanted to know if we'd be able to change our date. Mind you, we had placed a deposit 3 months before and there were absolutely no issues.

2) We already booked the caterer for that particular date (6/20/15) Considering he gets booked pretty fast and didn't even ask us for a deposit (close family friend) I'm not going to ask him to go out of his way to accommodate me for someone else's mistake.

3) Because in my heart and my gut is telling me so, my sister is "kicked out" of the bridal party. She lives in Louisiana and I don't feel as though she's taking her role as a bridesmaid at all seriously. That's just a whole different story all on it's own.

4) The entire wedding itself is being paid for by both my Fiance and myself. My in laws wouldn't lift a finger to even by my son a pack of diapers or gallon of milk, so I don't expect them offering anything to us. ( not that I did) My parents can't afford to, but I'm keeping a few of their suggestions in mind only because they really do do a lot for my Fiance and I, especially our son.

5) I'm the youngest out of 5 and the FIRST to get married, so it's sort of a big deal for my parents although I am pretty good with standing my ground on what I want.

Needless to say, we are once again on the search for a venue and I'm over thinking things that can easily be handled. If anyone knows of a simple hall (because I'm a simple girl) that allows outside catering and has a liquor licence and would like to share, that would be AMAZING!!!

Wow look at the new changes

lyndausvi — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:47:16 +0000

Wow.. look at this.

Is it okay...

lavasca — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 17:29:24 +0000

To accept help if people offer. I didn't know how many people in my life have been wedding planners, caterers and photographers. These are people on the guest list mainly - maybe 2 exceptions. Is it alright to accept especially if I pay expenses. I can pay food expenses. It looks like I can print most decorations at home.

Beware of JVL Jewelry Scam!!

vphantha — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 22:49:20 +0000

Like us, some of you may receive a "gift card" at a bridal show for "free" rings from JVL Jewelry. It is a total scam. You pay $25.00 each for shipping and it is shipped by regular usps mail. You basically pay for these cheap, worthless rings in the shipping charge. Rings are total garbage and I doubt that the are the material listed on the website. We filed a fraud claim with the credit card company after we received the wrong size for a second time and JVL told us to pay for shipping to send this CRAP back. This was a total waste of time in my life that I will never get back. STAY AWAY FROM JVL!!!!

Bulk or low cost florals in Houston?

Knottie17000237 — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 02:52:47 +0000

I have an out of town guest coming for my wedding in Houston who has a degree in floral design and wants to "do my flowers" - yay! So...where should I go to get bulk flowers for her to "do"? In Houston???

Vistaprint Groupon Alert!

retro_belle24_23092757 — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:55:48 +0000

For those who are thinking about or going to be using vista print for wedding supplies, right now there's a really good groupon - $27 for $70 worth of printed goods ( including business cards, invitations, T-shirts, mugs, stampers, magnets, phone cases, and more).

I'm using it for my save the dates. I already bought my invites on a really good Michael's clearance sale.

https://www.groupon.com/deals/vistaprint-173

Wine and Beer!!!!!

Lisawalker14 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 04:07:04 +0000

I am having the hardest time deciding how much alcohol to get for this reception. We opted to bring our own I the reception, (yes we checked and we can) and we are just doing beer and wine. We have 250 guests and 230 are 21 and older. We defiantly have a lot of heavy drinkers and some older crowds that are not so big drinkers. Anyway how much should I get? Originally I was thinking 50 bottles of red wine 50 white, and two kegs, one regular and one light. My fiancé doesn't think it will be enough and we deff don't want to run out. Any help is appreciated! Thank you Lisa Also it is a 6 hr reception....

Lovin a Good Deal!

LDay2014 — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:54:24 +0000

So, I just finished booking our honeymoon itinerary and we aren't going anywhere long distance but going to our local major city which is very special to us. Toronto.

FI and I are - shall we say - cost effective read cheap but we don't mind spending the money if it's a good deal.

3 nights at a 5* hotel:

$1035 - $950 travel rewards = $85

2 tickets to Medieval Times

$210 - $60 free upgrade = $150

3 course dinner at Royal York

$186 - $87 groupon = $99

4 course steakhouse dinner

$158 - $79 groupon = $79

Couples Shiatsu Massage

$120 - $62 = $58

We have a few things we want to do, but I'm pretty pumped that so far I've saved us $1238

Pretty excited, possibly moreso than the actual wedding!

I can't wait to spend some time alone with him!

Groom's parents paying for the wedding

Knottie56142528 — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 03:32:22 +0000

I'm the mother of the groom and my husband and I are paying for the majority of the wedding. Everything I look up as far as etiquette is about the bride's parents (who aren't paying for a darn thing!). Do I just flip the etiquette around as far as tradition goes such as the dress I choose to wear? I would appreciate any and all comments on this subject!

Thanks

Flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow options

birdybride2014 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 14:38:59 +0000

Have any of you found cheaper flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows that aren't just the satin, fancy type? Those aren't my style AT ALL, ugh. But, I can't seem to find anything else that won't be $40+.

Or have any of you used alternatives to the regular baskets and pillows? I was trying to think of something they could both carry and then keep in the end (no, not at their gift, but at least it could serve a dual purpose and not be thrown away in the end like the pillow and basket).

ETA: no burlap and lace ones either. I know those are usually cheaper but they are the opposite of the look I'm going for. Man...I'm sounding super picky. Haha

Wedding Planner or no Wedding Planner?

aj081415 — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:16:39 +0000

I just recently got engaged and my fiance are looking at a somewhat small wedding and reception. Around 150 people with a small budget. We want to try and stay under $10,000. Is a wedding planner really necessary? I have a lot of my own ideas and I feel like I'm kind of doing a good job at what I have on paper and a bunch of my friends are all willing to help. If a wedding planner is not suggested is a DOC suggested instead?

Doing the menu budget...help with how much to get

genealogygrl — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 03:15:16 +0000

Our wedding guest count is 85 people. Our menu consists of barbecue beef sandwiches, southern fried chicken, and black bean salad as our entrees. Our sides are baked beans, baked macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. Our reception is buffet style and other than making a couple dishes ourselves we have a serving crew who is handling the setup and such.

My question is how much fried chicken to I get for 85 people? The beef was easy as it was 1/4 to 1/2 pound per person (we went on the higher end to be safe). But I am not sure on how much fried chicken to buy. With all the other choices should I go with one piece per person or two? Or should I do more than that. Of those 85 people, 12 are children so figure the macaroni and cheese and fried chicken are probably going to be the choices they go for. TIA

welcome bags

Knottie52923642 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 07:00:23 +0000

Can these be used for welcome bags or two big?

Is it common to stress when you plan a wedding? Not the fairy tale I thought as a kid.

Uro4040 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:07:55 +0000

Hello Knotties,

Need some positive inspiration. I didn't think it was going to be this stressful planning a small wedding for 100 for next May. We have a very tight budget. I feel like it’s allot more researching and trying to be creative to try to keep cost down. The back and forth with vendors and not returning calls or just giving me the runaround. The guest list who not to invite to keep it small. The ceremony place I thought I had but now turns out I don’t. So I have to find another inexpensive place within our budget. I finally got the venue but I’m worried about it being too small. The honeymoon free tickets we got are not available to the place we want to go to. We have to find a plan b. My wedding not till May. My honey asked me if we should elope so it’s less stress on me. But I’m thinking crap after I did all this research for the last three months to find a resources to start all over. His help is very limited, he really leaving it to me to plan.

How do you all handle the planning? Should I let everything fell in place and not worry so much? How do you try to make everyone happy? What if my day is a fail? Whats your story?

Anyone having a rent a small venue

Uro4040 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:01:16 +0000

Hello,

My venue is small 1700 sq ft with a patio. About 85 seated inside outside could be another 20. Has anyone booked a small venue and how did it turn out. Or a venue with no kitchen?

On a budget with Flowers!

Knottie69408912 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:19:36 +0000

Hello Fellow Wedding-ers! I am the maid of honor for my sisters wedding coming up in November. She is on a very tight budget, and doesn't have much to spend on flowers. She has already purchased the main centerpieces, and needs to just add flowers. Does anyone know if you are able buy flowers and take them and the centerpiece to a florist and have them put it together? Basically have them do the labor? Any info on that would be greatly appreciated!

How much to donate to ceremony site?

Knottie36752204 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:05:50 +0000

Hey all,

New here, just got engaged in June

My fiance and I are having a very small, intimate wedding (Maybe 10 or so guests). Iv fallen in love with an old historical mansion for the site for our wedding ceremony. They want me to fill out a form to be approved, and instead of stating a rental price they ask how much you would be willing to donate to rent.

How much should I offer? This mansion is gorgeous, old Victorian style, built in the 1840's and considered a landmark but now a private art school. I want to rent the back part of the property, which would include a parking lot, and possibly use of one of the rooms inside to prepare. They also charge $50 an hour for a staff member to be on site of the property. I would just need it for the ceremony, reception is being held elsewhere.

Thoughts? I dont want to go too low or too high...or I was wondering if I could somehow word I would like to discuss it.

Thank you!

Talk to me about lantern lights

Karens62 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:22:54 +0000

Yes, I know everyone says that paper lanterns are overdone, but I don't care, I love them and it's MY wedding. That said and out of the way, any recommendations n which battery operated lights to use in colored round lanterns? I'm looking at yellow, orange, but orange and red lanterns for my November wedding. Not really planning on them being used for light, just for decoration in our 40 x 40 tent. Something like this: http://lover.ly/posts/100-ideas-for-fall-weddings/23258/images/249669/?v=2 So, of the different battery operated lights, which last longest, are brightest, etc? I am assuming that for the largest ones, I'll use two lights to make them bright enough. Ceremony is at 3pm so we'll need to have them turned on prior to then. Sunset is at 5:30 so they'll need to stay fairly bright for 6-8 hours. Any suggestions for making them easy to lower and raise so we can turn the lights on at about 2pm? Thanks, Karen

polaroid photo guestbook

Knottie321983 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 18:28:13 +0000

I like the idea of doing the guest books where the polaroid camera is at the table and they can take pic of themself and put it in the guestbook. I have a fujifilm instax mini but my concern is that something will happen to the camera and it is my favorite. I just dont want it to accidentally break or something and i dont have the budget to buy a different one just for the wedding. Also the camera only holds 10 films at a time so it would have to be changed pretty frequent

JVL Free Rings?

Knottie5794475 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:45:36 +0000

My fiancé and I are getting married next year and I just saw an old thread for free rings from JVL? Does anyone have the code for this month or know if this is going on? Any information would be great! Thank you!