Budget

BellaMayhem

Ok ladies, i am starting to feel like a wedding in RI is just not in my budget LOL. I want my wedding to still be my vision but my budget is only 10,000.00 and i am feeling very overwhelmed trying to find a venue and a caterer and everything else that i like within my budget. Can anyone give me any suggestions as to venues they used while on a budget? Any advice welcome!!

jennabob

I feel your pain.  Our budget started at $10,000. When all is said and done we will be closer to 15,000 I believe- and our wedding will be by no means etravagant!  It is very frustrating but do not be afaid to bargain with your vendors.  I have found that most are willing to work within restricted budgets and will do their best to meet your bottom line.  Also, do not overlook DIY-ing some things yourself! You can find super good deals online as well.  For example, I have my heart set on table overlays- my venue wanted 20/table to rent them.  I found them online for $6 a piece to BUY them.  just an fyi...

GOOD LUCK!!!

BellaMayhem

Thanks! I am looking at DIY for many things, centerpieces, invitations.. so, hopefully that helps my budget! Its just stressful and overwhelming. I originally planned a wedding in NC but changed it recently and the prices are SOOOO different!

Dicaps55

Another good way to save some $$ in RI is to book a venue for a Friday or Sunday or during off-peak season (winter?) .... if the date you've chosen is not a very popular wedding date vendors may be more likely to offer discounts too. 

As for affordable venues, it really depends on when & what you choose (as far as the season, night, day, sit down, buffett, etc).  

It can be stressful at times but just try to relax & enjoy it as much as possible! 

chantz2387

We're having ours at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown. We loved it as soon as we walked in. FI's parents went to a wedding there a few years back and said it was beautiful, so we checked it out. We wanted something with a waterview, but Newport was out of our price range. Quidnessett is overlooking the bay and a lot less expensive than Newport. We also went with a Friday, and it saved about $4000. They have a minimum amount to spend on a Friday, but I think it is a great deal! You should check it out!

divinemsm

I would agree with the pps-we are getting married on a Friday to save some money.  Some of our vendors gave us a discount b/c the wedding is on a Friday. Also dont be afraid to use vendors that are not advertised or talked about on the knot.  I found my DJ through a friend-we are getting 6 hours for 480.00!! We too started out with 10,000 but are up to about 13,000 now.  I would look into places with packages-we went with Crowne Plaza b/c their package included just about everything including the cake.  Good luck and def try to relax-it will all work out!

AmyRI

Getting married on a Friday really wasn't an option for us with so much of our family and friends out-of-state.
WIth a 10k budget in RI, the best thing you can do is pare down your guest list. It was really hard, but we got it down to less than 70 and it gives you SO much more flexibility. A lot of restaurants with function rooms can hold that many people and are much better priced, even on a saturday night, than traditional venues that hold 100+.

We got married at Alpine CC, in their smaller function room that's only open on Saturday nights. Their food was great, bar is reasonably priced and totally customizable, ceremony on site was beautiful and cheap. We had a great time, and you can definitely do it for 10k if you can limit the number of people.

Our whole wedding was just over 13, including everything but the honeymoon and e-ring. We did DIY tons of stuff to save money, but it was really a small guest list that made it possible.

DansBride52911

I second the Crowne. Ours is in the Grand Ballroom and the package is awesome...also included some centerpiece items like hurricane globes, mirror bases and votives (not sure if we're using them but a great bonus!).

BellaMayhem

Thanks for all the advice ladies! Our guest list is only 70 people right now and we are estimating that only about 50 will make it. I will definitely check out the Crowne and see what i think! Many of my side of the family is from out of state as well so we are looking at having it on a Sunday which some places give a discount for. Any suggestions as far as caterers and florists? I think i am using fake flowers for my centerpieces and DIY but i want real flowers for my bouquet!

jlsimon56

Maybe look into using a restaurant for the reception? 

Also, there are tons of other centerpiece ideas that are less money.  Like all candles, or baskets of fruit.  Or....nothing!  Haha.  We served the food family-style and our centerpieces had to be removed.  I loved the centerpieces, but in retrospect we totally didn't need them. 

If you use the Crowne you don't need a caterer.  We used Atomic b/c they were the best price.  You'll hear mixed reviews on them but overall we were very happy.  For florist, we used Florals by Alisa.  You might want to look at Stop and Shop?  Sounds crazy, but they have nice flowers!! 

Good luck!!

RoyalOrient

You can have a budget wedding and eat your cake too. G.L

Venues: 1149 Restaurant (East Greenwich, R.I & Seekonk, MA) - the one in Seekonk is across from hotels and is closer to Providence. Ivy Garden Banquet Hall and Restaurant (Warwick, R.I), Hotel Nylo (Warwick, R.I)Jackie's Galaxy (Bristol, R.I), Edgewood Yacht Club, Country Gardens (Rehoboth, MA), Francis Farm - specialize in Clambakes and outdoor weddings (Rehoboth, MA), The Meeting House (Tiverton, R.I), Roger William Casino (providence, R.I),
Caterers: Pinelli Mara Fine Caterers, West Bay Gourmet (kinda pricey but excellent food) Try a buffet or family style meal. Consider skipping the soup or salad.
Alcohol: no open bar, serve soft drinks, wine and beer. For cocktail hour you can have a ceilint limit on alcholo (arrange with caterer)
Florist: The Flower Girls (Warwick, R.I), Florals by Alisa (Barrington, R.I), Colors Floral Design (Swansea, MA), Robin Hollow Farm (Saunderstown, R.I) Whole Foods (Providence, R.I). Consider reusing BM's bouquet as centerpieces. Do half floral centerpieces and half non floral to save on money.
Invites: DIY (cardsandpockets.com ) or find an etsy seller. You should budget no more than $3.75 per invite for 70 invitations. Save-the-Dates can be sent via e-mail or you can buy prepackaged sets from an invite store and print them yourself.
DJ: ipod. I am sure there are also inexpensive djs available too.
Photography: Mandy Mayberry ($950), David Bibeault, Krzystyna Harber/KHarber($1495), Teresa Sweet ($1800) - all can be costumized to suit your needs.
Hair:Sam C (ask for contact)Her rates are very low! She also travels to you. My stylist Chanda Sek charges $65 per head and she travels to your place too.
Make up: Try the beauty counters of Nordstrom. Make sure you meet with a make up artist before hand to create your look. You can say you are going to be a BM for a wedding :-)
Limo: If it is in your budget and you feel that you need a limo on your wedding day, try Princess Limo in Fall River, MA. They offer great rates and will try to work within your budget.
Cake: Many caterers charge a cake cutting fee (unless you use their cake) so you might want to consider cupcakes. Starting at $2 a cupcake you can't go wrong. Cupcake vendors - Bakery Boutique (Smithfield, R.I), Sweet Somethings (http://www.mysweetsomething.com/), City Girl Cupcakes (Providence, R.I) - totally organic cupcakes!, Sin Desserts (Providence, R.I) 50 people for $2.75 per cup cake, you are looking at $137.5 (not including delivery and set up). You can easily make a stand, buy an inexpensive one online or rent one if it is affordable. If you really want a cake-cake, try a dummy cake and serve a sheet cake.
Dress: Shop for sample sales, attend a running of the brides like me!, check out discount dress shops like Party Dress Express in Fall River, MA, Vows in Newton, MA have really nice designer dresses for less than designer prices. R.I does not have a luxury sales tax like in MA though.






 

BellaMayhem

Wow! Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will definitely check all of that out! I have been looking into Quidnessett and it is a really good deal! Also, they sell signature drinks by the gallon! Amazing idea! LOL.

This may be a stupid question, but what i running of the brides?

RoyalOrient

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:122Discussion:f5c3006e-0f73-43c5-898e-36e79357dd72Post:b116f611-422e-415e-9d2b-9b29ce7b5a9c">Re: Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow! Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will definitely check all of that out! I have been looking into Quidnessett and it is a really good deal! Also, they sell signature drinks by the gallon! Amazing idea! LOL. This may be a stupid question, but what i running of the brides?
Posted by BellaMayhem[/QUOTE]

<div>eh not a stupid question. Running of the brides is a Filene's Basement sale for bridal gowns, most dresses average between $249-$699. Basically designer dresses at bargain prices. I skip the actual running part because I am scared of being trampled but there are so many dresses still left on the racks after the rush hour madness (brides sometimes camp over night to wait for the doors to open). Filene's host them at a different state/location with several dates listed on their site every year. There is an event in Boston this August if you are around.</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com/bridal.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.filenesbasement.com/bridal.php</a></div><div>
</div><div> Oh Q Club is a lovely choice btw! </div>

BellaMayhem

I thought that is what it was but i wasnt sure! I would be afraid to be trampled too! We all know how us women can get crazy at the site of a sale! LOL. I will have to look into that, maybe i will attend also!

mick313

We considered Twelve Acres (a banquet facility) in Smithfield--- entree prices are super low, and I heard the food is good. Google their site--- all entree prices are listed in the menu... I think that for Prime Rib and Baked Stuff Shrimp, for example, is only $20/plate... definitely in your budget!

We ultimately chose Pawtucket Country Club... a little pricier, but they have beautiful views and a separate cocktail area.

chantz2387

Yeah- the drinks by the gallon at Quidnessett are a really cool idea! and they set them up beautifully!