How long???

cherryblossom5

Hey Ladies,

So I have a question! How long have you been engaged to your Fi? How long have you been saving for your Wedding and Honeymoon?

Did you think it was possible? did you have a good budget plan???

JKeyes2011

We have been engaged a year and 7 months. We personally never saved because my mom is paying for the wedding. I just personally started saving for the honeymoon last month. We need about $700 more for the hotel room. My FI will pay for airfare to Florida.

My mom told me she has a budget in mind, but I don't know exactly what it is. She has been saving the reciepts for everything and she is going to add them all up in the end. Our huge goal is getting as much Free or discounted stuff as possible. I have been trying to keep track using TK budget thing, but I don't have all the reciepts.

ThunderKitten2011

I have been engaged since 10/30/10. We didn't save, we just pay for things as we go along (wedding and honeymoon). Although I have created a monthly budget for every month leading up to it to be sure that everything is paid off at least a month before the big day. We have cut back on leisure spending, things like a lot of dinners out, nails , his video game habit (aaaaaaaahahahaha).  So I guess that that is our budget plan. In the beginning I didn't think that it was possible but as far as we have come (thanks to some really great folks giving us really great deals) I can see our vision come together.

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:3afdde8e-1c2b-4d16-9705-5877635692fc">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]We have been engaged a year and 7 months. We personally never saved because my mom is paying for the wedding. I just personally started saving for the honeymoon last month. We need about $700 more for the hotel room. My FI will pay for airfare to Florida. My mom told me she has a budget in mind, but I don't know exactly what it is. She has been saving the reciepts for everything and she is going to add them all up in the end. Our huge goal is getting as much Free or discounted stuff as possible. I have been trying to keep track using TK budget thing, but I don't have all the reciepts.
Posted by JKeyes2011[/QUOTE

Jkeyes, girl you lucked out all the way around!! i wish my daddy would just write me a check right now!! lol

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:84b9c6a5-537c-4d81-86ea-7caa70810903">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]I have been engaged since 10/30/10. We didn't save, we just pay for things as we go along (wedding and honeymoon). Although I have created a monthly budget for every month leading up to it to be sure that everything is paid off at least a month before the big day. We have cut back on leisure spending, things like a lot of dinners out, nails , his video game habit (aaaaaaaahahahaha).  So I guess that that is our budget plan. In the beginning I didn't think that it was possible but as far as we have come (thanks to some really great folks giving us really great deals) I can see our vision come together.
Posted by ThunderKitten2011[/QUOTE]

Thunder, Check your inbox!! you know what i love the idea of having a monthly plan. we have 2 years of planning and paying off there is no reason for us not to be able to do this. I believe im just nervous and anxious!! i want my Wedding to be exactly what i have envisioned since i was a lil girl.

lil01

We've been engaged for a yr & 2 months. FI has been saving but I already had a savings, which is almost non-existent now. We've pretty much been paying on stuff monthly just to have things almost paid off instead of waiting til close to the wedding.

I didn't think it would be possible anymore cause I got laid off, but God is good & we've got GREAT friends and family.

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:9eff90dc-7b10-4f4e-953b-ce9a6c6e2f4a">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]We've been engaged for a yr & 2 months. FI has been saving but I already had a savings, which is almost non-existent now. We've pretty much been paying on stuff monthly just to have things almost paid off instead of waiting til close to the wedding. I didn't think it would be possible anymore cause I got laid off, but God is good & we've got GREAT friends and family.
Posted by lil01[/QUOTE]

That's what's going to make your day shine even more!! God is good!!

msapril0730

We have been engaged for almost three years! My FI went to his younger sisters wedding and called me to say "baby, set a date cause were getting married"

We were officially engaged with the ring and knee thing almost a year ago. We kinda saved for the wedding. I set up a savings account with no card attached so everytime I needed money I would have to go in the bank, we had a portion of our check direct deposited into that account. It deterred me from going into the bank for anything other than what's needed because I hate waiting in the bank lines!

I had moments where I thought how is this going to happen? How are we going to pay for all this? My FI has always had faith that God would work it all out for us and he has definitely made a way for us!

We also had a little help from my dad, step-dad, grandma, and brothers

ThunderKitten2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:393b2e28-28c1-4964-9f97-1a0529e614f1">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How long??? : Thunder, Check your inbox!! you know what i love the idea of having a monthly plan. we have 2 years of planning and paying off there is no reason for us not to be able to do this. I believe im just nervous and anxious!! i want my Wedding to be exactly what i have envisioned since i was a lil girl.
Posted by cherryblossom5[/QUOTE]

I have become the Queen of lists!!! LOL.  The monthly plan has our budget and everything we need to purchase/rent and DO! I hate waiting till the last minute to do ANYTHING I'm a lil OCD that way. Most everything will be done the month before so I can TRY TO RELAX. It was really easy to do, although I am still adding things to it.

M1ssJ

FI and I have been engaged for almost a year and will be married in 1 year. We are saving and paying for it all ourselves. Its hard but I think we'll make it

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:5565e7d7-798f-4694-91e8-60125f6ce481">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]We have been engaged for almost three years! My FI went to his younger sisters wedding and called me to say "baby, set a date cause were getting married" We were officially engaged with the ring and knee thing almost a year ago. We kinda saved for the wedding. I set up a savings account with no card attached so everytime I needed money I would have to go in the bank, we had a portion of our check direct deposited into that account. It deterred me from going into the bank for anything other than what's needed because I hate waiting in the bank lines! I had moments where I thought how is this going to happen? How are we going to pay for all this? My FI has always had faith that God would work it all out for us and he has definitely made a way for us! We also had a little help from my dad, step-dad, grandma, and brothers
Posted by msapril0730[/QUOTE]

That is a excellent idea!! setting up a bank account! that way we want touch the money unless it's for the wedding.

sweets18

We would have been engaged for 9 months when we get married in June and we did not save prior to the engagement, but we are planning to have everything paid off before the wedding. We just kind of have a schedule of what we will pay off every month and have been trucking along. It has been fairly rough at times and some sacrifices have had to be made but we know it will all work out and be worth it.

msapril0730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:1d32c7a8-6dc2-4beb-b371-bc59d8b287f0">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How long??? : That is a excellent idea!! setting up a bank account! that way we want touch the money unless it's for the wedding.
Posted by cherryblossom5[/QUOTE]

It has really helped! When I go in the bank I get exactly what I need, then I go straight to the post office to get money orders because if I got cash its getting spent to something NWR

shesheduke

FI and I have been engaged since 12.24.09 so almost 2 years by the time we get married on 09.10.11. We have had some major financial set backs since we got engaged but things are still coming together. We have been making payments to most vendors monthly so that we wont be swamped with payments the month before the wedding and we are hoping for a few gifts that were promised but not counting on them 100% if they come through we will be golden.

brittanyl8605

We got engaged in April 2010 and immediately set a budget between what we had in savings and what we felt we could save until the wedding in June. Once we had that total we planned the wedding from there and created a monthly budget that allowed us to save as much as we needed to not owe a single penny after the wedding. It's been a lot of sacrifice (eating out traveling, shopping) but we are almost done and everything is on track.

you can do it! Just plan ahead and stay on budget.

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:8e1e3d11-3a42-4d04-bed8-3ae3347183c2">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]We got engaged in April 2010 and immediately set a budget between what we had in savings and what we felt we could save until the wedding in June. Once we had that total we planned the wedding from there and created a monthly budget that allowed us to save as much as we needed to not owe a single penny after the wedding. It's been a lot of sacrifice (eating out traveling, shopping) but we are almost done and everything is on track. you can do it! Just plan ahead and stay on budget.
Posted by brittanyl8605[/QUOTE]

Thank you Brittany! I feel like we can do it and we will. since i have been apart of this group I have learned so much!! I'm taking what i learned, rolling up sleeves and getting busy with diy's projects. lol

kiyamurph

FI and I got engaged on May 8, 2010 and when we get married we would've been engaged for a year and 2 months.  We never saved for the wedding because, dare I say, my parents are paying for the wedding.  It was just kind of an understanding that when I would get married my parents would pay.  I'm reluctant to mention this to people because all of sudden I become THAT girl.  I've had a few people unfairly judge me for this, but hey, haters will be haters.

We just booked our honeymoon to Vancouver, Canada using FI's Marriott points and we'll take a big trip next year.

chescam

This month will make a year since we've been engaged and we'll be getting married in October. We planned a wedding we could both afford. However some things came up unexpectantly; I have to relocate sooner than expected and may have to buy a new car. We're trying to cut costs everywhere we can. I use weddingwire's budget application and it keeps me pretty much on track. I'm always researching ways to cut costs and it can become stressful at times.Lately I've felt overwhelmed and wanted to push the date back so that we can save some more. 

sweetjess2011

We too have a separate savings acct for the wedding which has been a blessing, we act like its not there since the $ is taken out directly. We too will have all paid by the wedding, thank goodness.

mrswac58

 We have been engaged since 8/9/10. Haven't really saved much because our families are taking care of the wedding . I had began saving but i'm now unemployed  and then FI hit a car so i helped pay for it. I told him " well, there goes my dress" lol. He's more careful now. We have since begun trying to save again.
 As for budget, We have one and are gonna try to stick as closely to it as possible. My mom is paying for the bulk of the day with help from FI's Parents and my big sister. I wanna try to get on the ball savings wise so i can help take the load off of her.
 I like the idea of a seperate account for wedding funds. I brought that up to FI but he wasnt paying attention.lol Typical.

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:4e74cda3-4587-4a6e-93c5-00ef165b38ba">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]We too have a separate savings acct for the wedding which has been a blessing, we act like its not there since the $ is taken out directly. We too will have all paid by the wedding, thank goodness.
Posted by sweetjess2011[/QUOTE]

I'm stealing your idea with the two accounts! love that idea

Wonders

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:84b9c6a5-537c-4d81-86ea-7caa70810903">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]I have been engaged since 10/30/10. We didn't save, we just pay for things as we go along (wedding and honeymoon). Although I have created a monthly budget for every month leading up to it to be sure that everything is paid off at least a month before the big day. We have cut back on leisure spending, things like a lot of dinners out, nails , his video game habit (aaaaaaaahahahaha).  So I guess that that is our budget plan. In the beginning I didn't think that it was possible but as far as we have come (thanks to some really great folks giving us really great deals) I can see our vision come together.
Posted by ThunderKitten2011[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Exactely this!!!!! We stil believe that God's wonders will show once again on our wedding day... We can't do it without His help!

</div>

Wonders

I feel so blessed to be part of this group ! I feel like everyday, God has something to tell me through somebody here , and that is a really good feeling knowing that I'm not alone ...He will make it happen to all of us ! May God bless you all abundantly not only on your wedding day but your whole life...Just pray !!!!!!!

cherryblossom5

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:61da90b4-7bc7-49aa-a1ca-476a501095a9">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]I feel so blessed to be part of this group ! I feel like everyday, God has something to tell me through somebody here , and that is a really good feeling knowing that I'm not alone ...He will make it happen to all of us ! May God bless you all abundantly not only on your wedding day but your whole life...Just pray !!!!!!!
Posted by Wonders[/QUOTE]

Wonders, I pray the same for you as well! i Believe God is going to open up windows of blessings.

EsquireJL

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:31f9ee56-c5e9-4256-b640-58a9cc02afcd">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]FI and I got engaged on May 8, 2010 and when we get married we would've been engaged for a year and 2 months.  We never saved for the wedding because, dare I say, my parents are paying for the wedding.  It was just kind of an understanding that when I would get married my parents would pay.  I'm reluctant to mention this to people because all of sudden I become THAT girl.  I've had a few people unfairly judge me for this, but hey, haters will be haters. We just booked our honeymoon to Vancouver, Canada using FI's Marriott points and we'll take a big trip next year.
Posted by kiyamurph[/QUOTE]

We have been engaged for 5 months and like kiyamurph my parents are paying for the wedding. I was reluctant to post earlier for the same exact reasons she stated. I decided to "come out" so she wouldn't feel like the only one. We are paying for the honeymoon.

Wonders

cherryblossom5 Thank you very much , and Amen !!!

Wonders

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:64ef85eb-7935-4987-9c43-91d1c33b5254">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How long??? : We have been engaged for 5 months and like kiyamurph my parents are paying for the wedding. I was reluctant to post earlier for the same exact reasons she stated. I decided to "come out" so she wouldn't feel like the only one. We are paying for the honeymoon.
Posted by EsquireJL[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Girls, I don't think you should be ashamed of anything or some !!! I don't think one should  judge you because your parents are paying for your wedding or you have it  easier in any way !!! That will be judging our GOD ...We all are blessed in our own different ways and we should be grateful for that ! Even in our "situation" I feel Soooo Blessed in many ways, and I'm very grateful to the man above :) Please don't feel that way ! ^_^

</div>

hatroopes

We have been engaged since May 13, 2010 and have not really "saved" for the wedding per se. We both have our individual savings account and I've been saving for as long as I've had a job so that's nothing new. We plan on paying for the wedding using our savings and we'll buckle up and save some more when time comes to start paying off vendors -we're not having anything we can't afford so I'm sure we'll be fine. FI's parents were supposed to pay for the wedding till his dad got sick, so we had to readjust to that. They might help out, but I'm not counting on it. My parents will help out a little also.

A&M_Abyss

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_long-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:5bcf5bbe-ff1e-4e59-8d04-6a0b48dd1e4ePost:fd88a999-69f0-4367-93ac-4e35f853d15a">Re: How long???</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How long??? : Girls, I don't think you should be ashamed of anything or some !!! I don't think one should  judge you because your parents are paying for your wedding or you have it  easier in any way !!! That will be judging our GOD ...We all are blessed in our own different ways and we should be grateful for that ! Even in our "situation" I feel Soooo Blessed in many ways, and I'm very grateful to the man above :) Please don't feel that way ! ^_^
Posted by Wonders[/QUOTE]
I am in the same boat. We've been engaged for 2 years and 2 months and we just started putting money away in like May of 2010. My parents are paying for the actual reception and all of my wedding day attire along with my bridal shower so I never wanted to say it either b/c I didn't wanna be the "spoiled girl" who doesn't have to work towards her wedding when in reality I do b/c every other vendor is coming out of our pockets and it is not even a fraction of being "cheap/budget friendly" at all. God is GOOD and through praying we've been able to make it happen come hell or high water. I am just grateful that we have such a strong support system in our lives.

simbidi

FI and I met in April 2009, got engaged on June 18, 2010, so it's been almost 9 months.  We had not saved specifically for it, but things are coming along  by using our existing savings and current earnings.  We are now saving for our home in Houston though.

Anyone want to buy a house in Maryland?????  Lol!

wheatney22

By the time we get married next month, we would have been engaged for 16-months.
We started a joint checking account the month after we got engaged and set a budget. We put money in there every month so that by the time the wedding is done, everything will be paid for. Can't wait...saving for the wedding has taken a huge chunk out of my personal spending.