Brides on a Budget

happycouple10_27_2010

Just curious how others brides are doing on working on a small budget.

What locations are you looking at?
What tips do you have for other brides who are on a budget?

amandabartlett

The best tip I have is CRAIGSLIST! I have found AMAZING deals on just about everything for decor. My sister is an extremely creative person so almost everything is a DIY project. We have found almost all of the vases for candle holders and centerpieces on craiglist for dirt cheap. Most brides are just ready to get rid of everything after their wedding and they will usually cut you a great deal! If you're not opposed to it, you can also find cheap (but beautiful) wedding cakes and photography on craigslist. I hired a second photographer (a student) to be wherever my "hot shot photographer" isnt. If she's with the girls, he's going to be with the guys....that way we dont miss any shots. Plus, a lot of students jump at an opportunity to do a wedding just to gain experience and expand their portfolio.
Anyway, Craigslist and DIY projects! If you need any ideas dont be afraid to ask, like I said my sister is doing EVERYTHING and she has amazing ideas!
Good luck!

laleighmoore

We are working on a small budget too. Here are some places:
Heritage Oaks Clubhouse in Georgetown - $100/hr or $1000 for 12 hrs and they are completely open to ANY vendors but secuirty and bartenders are required.
www.heritageoaksclubhouse.com

Austin Parks - many beautiful places to chose from - my fav is the Zilker Clubhouse - under $1k rental. BUT there is a catch. The City of Austin does not take reservations instead they hold a lottery 7 mos prior to the date you are interested in and you pick 2-3 dates within the month you would like and you MIGHT win one of them. Any dates left over can be reserved within the 6 month time frame. You can have family and friends submit requests to the lottery for your date BUT you risk their names having to be on the agreement.

Johnny Carinos offers some good deals on catering as well.

For flowers or decor if you are willing to DIY and want time to do it in advance use www.afloral.com and I agree CRAIGSLIST and even this board will find you great deals.

Finally - if you have  place (like Austin Parks or the Heritage Oaks Clubhouse) that will let you use other rental providers I have found a lady out of San Antiono for linens that are a STEAL. You would have to meet her half way for pick up and arrange for return on Monday after the event but at her prices I can't imagine that being a big deal. Her name is Mary Longoria and for $15/table you can pick from over 40 colors and fabrics and get a full length table cloth, overlay, 6-8 chair covers with sashes! And if you order a certain amount of table set ups she throws in cake table/DJ table linens for free! mary@myclassyoccasion.com


Even check out Ebay... they have good deals too. And for decor like candle holders and vases try www.dollartree.com they sell in various bulk sizes but everything is $1 a piece.

Hope this helps!

happycouple10_27_2010

I am using the Georgetown Community Center.

Pricing: Monday - Thursday $500 (GT Residents) whole building, $250 half building, $275 half the building & court yard, Non Georgetown Residents $700 whole building, $350 half building,$375 half building & court yard

Friday - Sunday                                     Non Residents
Whole Building--- $600                               $800
1/2 Building---  $350                                  $375
1/2 w/court Yards--- $450                        $475

It has a kitchen with double ovens, stove, huge cooler, trash cans, use of tables and chairs, PA system, bathrooms, around 6000sqft. You get the day before your event. Use of facilities from 7am - 12am. For weddings a $1000 (get back in 2 weeks). And after 7pm you must hire a security guard - $100.


DYI---I am doing my flowers myself. I am buying them in bulk on line.

Vendors--- I found all my vendors on craigslist and have gotten some very great prices.

Cupcakes instead of cake--- My sister volunteered to make us our cupcakes for free. I will be helping her.

chloetutor

I splurged on the venue, photography, and dress, but I'm going cheap on:

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes (We're doing a spread of yummy bundt cakes instead of the traditional cake.)
Invites: Target (They're actually pretty nice.)
Food: Southern's Fine Dining (he's the cheapest I've seen)
Flowers: Glass Fountain
Day of Planner: Buon Affare (I splurged on hiring a planner, but she's super cheap!)

amandabartlett

Hey "happycouple..." where are you buying your flowers online? I'm still undecided about flowers. My aunt used to be a florist so she could do the arrangements but I havent decided where to get the flowers to ensure they they are fresh and "perky" the day of the wedding. Online seems the cheapest way to go from what I understand. Advice is appreciated! 

Crazyfrog23

Mercury Hall in South Austin is also pretty cheap and to my understanding the venue is beautiful!!! I am actually going to go to the open house next sat. They do have a $250 table and chair fee and they do make you go threw a cater... Good luck!! If anyone else has any ideas I would greatly appreciate the advice!!

Thanks

atxlily

I just got married at the Daniel Caswell House in Austin. It is great for small-medium weddings (less than 100). The rates are reasonable and you can bring in your own vendors. It is an historic home and very ornate. Best wishes.

hildeedee

i don't have a smaller-ish budget. if you like a place that is a blank slate and modern, check out the mexican american cultural center...their auditorium is $100 an hour and tables and chairs are included. we are having our reception there and using various spaces throughout.

do an ipod reception instead of hiring a DJ or band

check out liz with exquisitie cuisines, she will work with your budget and her food is amazing!

i'm planning on using rebekah with glass fountain for my boquets, but i will be doing my own centerpieces and ordering flowers probably online...you can make really great centerpieces for not a lot. use fresh fruit or tons of candles instead of flowers if you want to cut costs even more.

check out linentablecloth for linens...they are cheaper to buy than renting and you can resell after.

visit preownedweddingdresses.com and craigslist and oncewed.com for used wedding dresses and check out sample sales too.

visit the budget board! they have fantastic ideas!

happycouple10_27_2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-austin_brides-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:126Discussion:e61dfac6-7dd8-4517-97bd-ee25a68c1ac3Post:d3a7be9c-e0f8-440a-b968-480a1cf3dfe1">Re: Brides on a Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey "happycouple..." where are you buying your flowers online? I'm still undecided about flowers. My aunt used to be a florist so she could do the arrangements but I havent decided where to get the flowers to ensure they they are fresh and "perky" the day of the wedding. Online seems the cheapest way to go from what I understand. Advice is appreciated! :)
Posted by amandabartlett[/QUOTE]

<strong>amanda</strong>--- Some sites with great reviews are samsclub.com, costco.com, and fiftyflowers.com

happycouple10_27_2010

I checked out The Heritage Oaks clubhouse. It's awesome. Thanks for the link. I like it a lot better than the San Gabriel Community Center.