Budget wedding...is it possible?

rsayaphet

Hi all! This is my first time ever posting. I've been engaged for a year now and We are finally deciding on getting married next year(did not choose specific date, looking for an off peak season). I haven't done any planning and don't know where to start. Our budget is 10-12k but do you guys think it's possible? Our max guest list is 130(hopefully). I just feel so overwhelmed :-( The only thing I have right now is a dj(my bro). Is there any venue that will fit my budget?

sundayrose

I think there are definitely venues that will fit with your budget. We went to The Riverview at the end of Decemebr knowing we wanted a November wedding, but when we were talking with them they offered us June 23rd (so we would have had 6 months to plan instead of 10/11 months for our Nov wedding) for a VERY, VERY reduced price. We still decided to go with Novemebr because I wanted a Fall wedding and my little sister was actually graduating high school on June 23rd but there are a lot of ways to bring venue cost down. We are actually getting married on a Sunday and that helped, or I've heard other people mention on here having the wedding at a non-meal time and doing appetizers/cake. I don't think you will have a problem with making your budget work though Happy planning!!

redjellybean128

I think it's possible. Like PP said Sundays lower costs. Is 10K your entire budget for everything or just for venue?

maggieandrey

It's definitely possible! the fact that you're planning on the off-season will help a LOT.

Do not feel overwhelmed. Sit down and plan out your budget line by line. I wouldn't rely on the Knot's tool because I think it uses percentages, and will not give you a fair representation of what each thing costs. But if you have a solid plan and stick with it, you can definitely stay within your budget. good luck!

amymaysa

Off season and off days (Friday/Sunday) will be your best bet.

Also, think og possible non-wedding venues...resturants, etc...

Like a PP asked, is $10-12k for the whole wedding or the venue.

That might be tight for the whole wedding for 130 people.

MoonlightSilver

Off season, off date, off meal time- all these things will reduce prices. 

The biggest part of the budget is food for your guests, so reducing the guest list or reducing the price per meal is the best way to rein in costs. Having your wedding at a nonmeal time (not during lunch or dinner) means you can feed snacks and cake (and drinks), instead of an expensive full meal. 

Make a list, and have your FI make a list, of the most important parts of the wedding for each of you. Is it photography? Food? Dress? flowers? etc. Focus your budget in those areas, and perhaps even get rid of some things you don't need (no programs, aisle runner, favors, limo, etc). 

Use Vistaprint for invitations- they have lots of sales, and groupon lets you get $70 worth for $17. Super cheap!

Some of my favorite budget friendly vendors are: Stylish Blooms (florist), DJae Melee (DJ), and RI Video Pros (videographer). 

Good luck and welcome to the boards!

MrsF0831

possible that is our budget.. origionally was 10k but we didnt add rings and honeymoon in the budget but now we did so were thinking more 13k...ohh and were inviting about 160ppl

marci55

Congrats.

Yes. I think its possible.  If you can, I will try to have 100 guest instead of 130, it will help you with your wedding budget.

try the waterview, and ask them for an off season wedding discount. they are amazing and Im sure they will work something out with you. Try to make an appoitment or call them, I will not do it by email. 

Once again congras and good luck!

rsayaphet

Thank you guys for your input! It really helped. I even bought that groupon deal for the vista prints. We are also trying to reduce our guest list a bit!

mailyang

http://ybphotography.weebly.com/

stacey618

definately doable!!!  check out www.simplysweetsnapshots.net for photography that is affordable