The Best Things to Budget on?

Juxtaposition00

First of all: Hi! and Good Morning!  (You can skip down for the question) I'm new on the community boards, but not new to the Knot.  I love all of their ideas, but have never found a reason to join until I was further along into actually planning. I don't know what to say as far as an intro, but I'm youngish (23) and I plan on having a late summer/early fall wedding of next year.  I want it small in terms of people (and hopefully budget), but large in terms of style and fun! I love my dog as much as I love my FH (future husband, right?), and I am always super bored at work, so this will probably be my new distraction.

So what have you guys found are the best things to cut back on in budgeting?  The venue? The food? Decorations? Paper stuff (invites, programs, etc)? DJ?
I know I will want a good photographer, because the pictures are what you look at in twenty years and have to remember the day by.  I am almost thinking of eliminating a videographer, or hiring a student from a local college to do it.  I thought about doing an afternoon reception, but that isn't the style I want.  I once read you shouldn't cut back on food in place of something, because that is for appreciation of the guests as much as it is for you and your reception is to thank the guests. I think I'm getting my dress handmade by a local seamstress for under 1k, I'd prefer not to cut back anymore on that.

crfische

Well, hi there. I'm Fishy. Nice to meet you.

ANYWAY. Depends on what's important to you. Everyone puts different importance on different things. There's some pretty awesome DIY'ers around these parts that have good ideas in their bios.

Mrs.B6302007

not the food
never cut back on food

skip favors,limos, video is optional

DIY centerpieces

sarabellam

Think back on the last 3 weddings you attended. What do you remember about them? Those should be your "splurge" items. For me, the decorations were a waste of money.

Juxtaposition00

Sadly I've only attended two weddings in my life.  One was when I was 14 and was a "shotgun" ceremony and had a drinks/cookies 20 minute reception and the other was about a year ago that had a budget that was through the roof.  And I can't remember anything but her dress (cause I had to bustle that stupid thing), cause there was so much to take in. It felt like a circus.

unplainjane

think about what's the most important things for you and everything else gets cut back. for us the food and veue were most important so we spent more on that and the big things we cut are flowers (diy), decorations (no additional), invitations (diy), no limo (we're carpooling and renting a nicer car for the weekend), no dj (ipod). favors is a good place to cut back on too. we slightly cut our budget for photographer and dress as those were big budget items but we still those things were next in importance. we're not doing a videographer. as well cut the guest list.

baystateapple

We're throwing most of our budget into food and beverages for the night.

We cut out videography, favors, and transportation to and from the wedding (our reception  hall is 100 feet from the church, so it was pointless).  We got a friend of ours who is just starting a photography business to do the pictures, and we found a DJ that was willing to do the work for well under the state average for MA.  I also budgeted my attire (my dress was under $500).

Never budget on anything that is for your guests' comfort.  Also, decide how many guests you can afford to have, and THEN determine what you want to serve them.  Not the other way around.

Juxtaposition00

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_things-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c4629dc-9ea6-4bae-98bb-aafa8b067dd9Post:ffdb8067-2b31-429c-8251-6871e3faaeb7">Re: The Best Things to Budget on?</a>:
[QUOTE]Well I can tell you what not to budget on. Do not skimp on food, booze and photography. You can go from there.
Posted by Champagne Supernova[/QUOTE]

Thanks Everyone, but thank you Champagne!  So clear, so concise, I can hardly stand it! Its perfect advice.

acmj11

I want to save money too, but we are not skimping on food or drink.  I am going to see if we can rent the trolley from the brewery we have in town (I have no idea if they do this but I think it would be cute) rather than go the limo route.  If that doesn't work out FFIL has old cars and so do some friends for transportation.  I plan on making my own centerpieces and maybe DIY flowers.

diva1397

I agree with everything the previous posters said.  I will add that you can definitely have fresh flowers, but not break the bank.  Choose flowers that are in season (I didn't and paid for it!) and don't be afraid to use nontraditional flowers/plants that pack a visual punch.  For example, a bouquet or centerpiece made entirely of baby's breath can be quite stunning and extremely cheap.  Sorry for the poor picture quality, but here's a picture from a party I had where I used baby's breath:

Meg1979

As for paper items, I say just give one invitation.  For me the save-the-date card is not really needed...if your/his family stays in touch at all they will know when you are getting married.  I think you can also save on flowers for the reception hall.  We are just having ceremony flowers and will probably make our own centerpieces.  We are renting rose trees that can be moved from the ceremony to the reception (of course, our reception is in the next room). 

Videography is a major expense I think can be cut, too.  If you have a good photographer you will capture the moments that will mean the most to you.  I also think you can save on the favors or have edible favors.  People might want a little treat after partying at your wedding, but I think other favors are probably not necessary. 

NuggetBrain

I'm onboard with CS.  Food, drinks, photography.  The food and drinks are probably going to be what the guests remember most, and the photography is going to be the only thing you'll have to "remember" later on.

Also, don't skimp on your guests' comfort within reason.  Make sure chairs are provided for the ceremony, and for the reception (along with tables).  If you live in Florida, don't plan for an outdoor ceremony and reception at noon in July.  If you live in Minnesota, don't plan for an outdoor ceremony OR reception at anytime in January.

Things like paper goods, favors, limos, etc can usually be done for fairly cheap and still look good.  Instead of a limo bus, look at getting a shuttle bus (they're usually cheaper).  Try to DIY for the invites, or look at 123print (super cheap).  You can DIY favors as well if you have the time and inclination.

felicia6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_things-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c4629dc-9ea6-4bae-98bb-aafa8b067dd9Post:f16ca44a-9a01-4e45-93dc-35f676ff545f">Re: The Best Things to Budget on?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with everything the previous posters said.  I will add that you can definitely have fresh flowers, but not break the bank.  Choose flowers that are in season (I didn't and paid for it!) and don't be afraid to use nontraditional flowers/plants that pack a visual punch.  For example, a bouquet or centerpiece made entirely of baby's breath can be quite stunning and extremely cheap.  Sorry for the poor picture quality, but here's a picture from a party I had where I used baby's breath:
Posted by diva1397[/QUOTE]

I completely agree with using seasonal and local flowers. That is making a big difference for us in price and those are generally in better condition anyway since they don't have to travel as far.

bonnyandtim

I agree with most things on here. Some things I have tried are:

TRY to find a GOOD dress. You don't HAVE to go too crazy.

Another big thing is SHOES!! Unless you have a cocktail length dress, barely anyone will see them. You can totally get away with a pair of white flats or something.

I am only doing bouquets & boutanieres (Spell?) for flowers. I have candle & "scatter" centerpieces.

Try to double duty decorations. The garland & pumpkins that will be on my unity candal altar will be moved to my head table.

AVOID limos, videos, & possibly DJ. You will have good photos, & if you REALLY want to remember the vows you said, write them down. I personally am not having dancing @ my wedding, so we are just making a playlist.

Consider the pros & cons to alcohol, & also maybe a sheet cake.

Favors & fancy invites & linens are also a big expense. I only did the free STD postcards from Vista Print because my wedding is slightly OOT (1 1/2 hour drive from my hometown & it is also a holiday weekend). But really, you do not need thick folders. Nor do you probably really need chair covers or even pew bows. Does anyone remember those from any wedding you attended? I don't.

Comparison shop like crazy, & also consider shipping costs if you buy online. Sometimes the online price is good, but then the shipping costs just take over! & if you do shop online, try to consolidate as much as you can so you only have 1 or so shipments from each place.

Also, you might try to host some home parties to get hostess bonuses. Such as Mary Kay, Lia Sophia, Pure Romance, etc.

Goldlie11

I'm DIYing all paper products.  Doing cheap edible favors.  We're skipping the limo.  DIYing inexpensive centerpieces.  Most of the dresses I like are well under $1,000.  

Using jewelry that I already own.  Not buying personalized anything.  

We are providing lots of food.  A hosted bar of beer, wine, and possibly a signature drink. Basically our guests will not have to pay for anything.  

Sometimes I think that people go overboard with centerpieces.  Yeah, something should be on the table, but don't spend a fortune on them.  My FI and I went to a wedding a little while back.  I had 1 drink and he had nothing to drink.  Still, we couldn't really remember what the hell the centerpieces look like (and normally he has an amazing memory).  It's not really worth it on my opinion.