Newbie to this board

Sharingourlove

Don't know why I didn't find it before, but better late than never!  I am a 49 yo first-time bride.  We are getting married in 72 days, have been together about 1-1/2 years and to be honest it's been a struggle giving up my independence (he moved in about a year ago).

One thing I could use advice on is how to have the wedding of my dreams (he's been married before but eloped) but cut the budget drastically.  Our first big argument is brewing about finances and his wanting to sell some stock to pay for the rest of the wedding instead of getting a small personal line of credit/loan that we can pay off once his bro settles their moms estate (which should've been done months ago so am hopeful...).

Any adivce is welcome!

shytownkelly

I'm with jcbsjr - don't mortgage the future for a one day party. 

It is important to take a look at your budget - figure out what is TRULY important to you.  Is it to have the BEST food, drink and atmosphere then cut your guest list down to what you can afford.  If you'd rather have everyone be there - then consider alternate ideas for venues/catering/etc. 

Welcome to the board - and don't sweat not finding us sooner - the board is pretty new.

Good luck!

Sharingourlove

Unfortunately our wedding invites are already out so changing venue doesn't work, and the flowers and music are all being given as gifts.  The main costs we have are the venue, rings, and reception needs i.e. punch, cake ($250) and coffee.  So not really anywhere we can cut.  Kicking myself for spending so much on my dress $700 but it's not returnable (sample). 

So just need to figure out what we can do.  I really don't want to go into debt for the wedding, we both agree with that, it's just the idea of selling stock versus having to pay interest for less than 6 months on the money we borrow is hard for me.

coralee715

A girl I know is getting married Aug 20 and her RSVP date is 5/20!!!!

island07b2b

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_40-plus-brides_newbie-this-board?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:69dea60c-2319-4015-8380-4a5cc0f18476Discussion:7ca7aede-bdc7-4238-91ed-91fcb1741e38Post:312a3c35-44e8-4646-8d6a-88e3553d7ab1">Re: Newbie to this board</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I'm with jcbsjr - don't mortgage the future for a one day party.  It is important to take a look at your budget - figure out what is TRULY important to you.</strong>  Is it to have the BEST food, drink and atmosphere then cut your guest list down to what you can afford.  If you'd rather have everyone be there - then consider alternate ideas for venues/catering/etc.  Welcome to the board - and don't sweat not finding us sooner - the board is pretty new. Good luck!
Posted by shytownkelly[/QUOTE]

I totally agree.  Go with what is most important to you and works with your budget.  Welcome! :)

Sharingourlove

Our wedding date is July 30th and they literally went out this week so only about 10 weeks out (okay that's a scarier number than 72!) And our RSVP date is July 1.  It's not a DW but it is out aways from the metropolitan area, some people need to factor in ferry rides, and our cake baker (my former sister-in-law) is doing multiple cakes that month so asked for 2 weeks lead time on the count.  I figured in a 1 week grace period for RSVP's then 1 week for follow up.  And even if I hadn't sent them, the invites were already printed so it would've been a waste that way.

The only thing that is changeable at this point for a lesser cost is our rings, but that is ithe most mportant thing to us.  So just need to figure out how to cut household budget, find old jewlery ex-bf gave me, and a good place to sell it, then we can make some head way on the bank account.

Sharingourlove

We are having a very simple affair; church wedding with cake, punch/coffee reception.  Friends are providing the music, flowers, hair & makeup, video.  No limos, no rentals.  We have already purchased a lot of things; bubbles (can't do birdseed), my attire, cake stuff/plates/napkins, etc, borrowed centerpiece bowls and have shells from the beach, just need to buy a small bag of sand.  So pretty basic with the event, focus is mainly on having friends and family get together with us and celebrate each other.

I can cut down the time on the photographer (he's $100 an hour) and just have him do the hour before, during and an hour after, and friends will take pics at the reception.  That would save $200.  Cake price could go down if number coming does as would the cost for the coffee, punch etc stuff which can be bought cheaply either Costco or some place (time to start watching the ads).  And friends are helping with that..  TY gifts can also be scaled back in costs which could save a few $.  (Sorry, started thinking "outloud"). 

We haven't checked into the rings on a plan through the jewlers - that's a great idea.  A payment plan through them would be better, and I'm betting they would work something out with us.  We both really like the rings, but it may be that we have to go with simple then get the other ones for our 1 year.

tarheelbabs

Welcome--I can't help.  I'm a bad influence since I went big--another 49 y/o first time bride.  We had a blast, but I'll be paying for it for a while. Oh well . . . .

IslandBeachBride

* I skipped the cake comments. LOL

I'm so happy to have my not gay brother as my "wedding planner".  He gets teased because he's an AWESOME event planner.   He's mailing the announcements the day we get married and I'm relying on him heavily for the open house.  I'd be lost w/o him!   I can't imagine sending out invites 3 months early.  Wowsa!

Anyway, welcome to the board!  )