is this tacky?

michelleand dave

Well my sister is my maid of honor and everything I ask her about she says no to no matter how excited I am.  Well that is a problem for another day.  I have been going over our budget and seeing what I can cut out.  In my wedding package I can cut out th apps during the cocktail hour and the wine at the table and the wedding room (which I can prob pay for with gifts from my showers).  This in turn will save us 4000 dollars.  I was also thinking about making all of our bouqets and having the guys wear nice white shirts and khaki's instead of tux's.  Aslo to note it is a beach wedding in july.  The ceremony is 1/2 hour long and starts at 5:30 then an hour for drinks then we go to dinner.  During dinner we were going to do a cash bar for those who really need a drink at that time.  What do you guys think or do you have any fun ideas that i can use to help save money?

Annie_Warbucks

Yes, cash bars are tacky. I would provide some sort of drinks during dinner, either keeping the bar open or wine at the table. You and your FI have invited these people as your guests and they should not have to pay for drinks at any time during the reception. And it would be confusing for your guests if they are getting free drinks before dinner and then all of a sudden it changes to a cash bar, and then the drinks are free again after dinner.....

Everything else does not sound tacky. I would agree tuxes are not needed for a beach wedding in July. Way too uncomfortable! 

sgylling

I agree with Annie, you can't switch back and forth between cash and open bar and I also think if you are inviting people, you should at least provide beer and wine the entire time. I don't think anything else is tacky either, but how are you going to pay for this wedding room with gifts from your shower? People typically do not give cash at showers, at least in my circle.

Capital_T

I read that it is very "improper" to ask guests to pay for any event for hich  they are invited. That said, I know (and been to) parties and such where alcohol WAS provided, but somthing only like 1 white wine, 1 red wine, 1 signature cocktail and domestic beer was provided....no hard alcohol or shots were provided. I think something like that is a great alternative to an open bar...it will save you money and will give your guests some options.

ladybug7485

I agree with pp, probably the easiest way to cut your budget in the alcohol department is to go with more of a soft bar where you provide wine and beer but no hard liquor. Going back and forth between having it be cash bar and open bar would confuse people.
DIY is a very good way to cut costs. I think all of your other ideas are perfectly fine, especially the suits vs. tuxes although I'm not sure this will cut down on any costs as B&G don't typically pay for those.

mandybear7

Are you returning shower gifts to get money? That's tacky.

I would just close the bar during dinner, rather than have it cash bar, and allow a glass of wine, soft drinks, and water to be served during dinner.

I would find ways to cut costs elsewhere- DIY invites and programs, no favors, cheaper DJ and photographer, rather than inconvenience guests.

mbuhpathi

Close the bar rather than cash bar, I agree.

morgie44

Cutting wine at dinner - Not tacky in my circle most of the table wine goes unused anyway.

Cutting  apps - As a guest, I would prefer it to be there, but if you are going over budget to have them don't.  Or maybe just have some cheese and crackers or something cheaper.   I don't think it is a huge deal since your ceremony is short and I am assuming you are having both at the same place. 

Cash bar - Tacky if it's the whole night. 
Cash bar during dinner only - I would just close the bar.  That is how most weddings I have been to have been.  Guests generally know that the bar will be closed during dinner in my circle

Khaki's instead of tuxes - Not tacky, but I don't see how it is going to save you money.  Usually the groom's tux is free so that will end up actually costing you some $$

Making bouquets - I personally wouldn't do it, becuase to me it was too much to stress out about so close to the wedding.  Can you choose cheaper flowers/smaller bouquets?  If you are super crafty/good at flowers then go for it!

One big way I was able to save $$ was by DIY invitations and cutting out favors.

Sparkette19

Morgie totally hit the nail on the head, perfectly said!

If you're looking to cut your budget, do as much yourself as you can handle. Personally, I did the invites and I wish I hadn't. I had a family emergency and the invites were late going out. If you know all the details early, you can get those knocked out early. Michael's has kits and/or Cards&Pockets.com has coupons sometimes too. Keep your eyes on the boards, someone usually posts something.

DIY bouquets won't be too hard, I don't think...especially if you do long calla lillies, hand tied with ribbon. I just met with my florist and she did a wedding where she put 3 long lilies together for the girls and tied them, very elegant.

DIY centerpieces are the easiest thing in the world! No flowers needed, just watch the boards for Chicago knotties that are selling their glassware...add some decorative rocks and floating candles ~ instant, simple, beautiful centerpieces. That's what we're doing.

Lot's of girls buy their dresses for a very reasonable price, under $1000.

Check out the DIY boards for other ideas that aren't mentioned here.

thealphabride

I agree with the other brides, on all the suggestions.
Another way to save is to cut your guest list, and to keep your bridal party small.
Good Luck!

alyssalowe

There are so may ways by diy'ing things to save money. We are having a 150 guest wedding for 5k.. or less.

Ceremony ($260) Very simple decor in our church as it is already beautiful.
Receptiion ($2500) Catered meal(told them our budget and they tailored to what we could afford as a deal), bar to have NO hard booze just beer/wine/soda and such, table decor very simple (branches in a vase draped with gems and flower petals and votives)
DJ ($450) put up a craigslist ad stating budget and had many responses, went and viewed them all and picked the best
Attire ($350) dress from ebay, tux free with other rentals
Flowers ($100) save-on-crafts.com sola wood flowers (diy).
Photography/Videography ($550) ten hours of two people.. found on craigslist and checked out their portfolio.
Paper products/misc. ($300) invites were free from tux shop, other stuff from vistaprint.com, gifts to bridal party were hair cuts/hair styling/makeup for event


Other notes- Purchased lots of things from dollartree.com or sams club. Email if your curious on more. So far my wedding decor and everything looks just as great as bride friend whose wedding costs 15,000. You have to be willing to do things yourself or keep looking for a better deal in order to save money.