budgeting!

jpickering8

Okay so my guest list is like 230 right now and I know that would be the easiest way to save money but that's not really an option.  Otherwise I'm looking to cut costs.. where do I start?  I'm pretty sure that someone the FI knows is going to do the photography for ridiculously cheap and I'm hoping a family member will be able to do the cake.. anyone know of cheap-er DJs in the southern Maine area?  It makes me like hyperventalate to think about how much this whole thing is going to cost when all I want is a big party with friends & family to celebrate us getting married!  How much should I plan on for flowers?  I've been reading other boards that are saying nix favors but I feel like that's just not proper ediquette.. IDK I get stressed about the money peice..

brownb

The place I saved the most money is the catering. I did my research and found a good caterer at a cheap price. Also, we're not doing favors. I know some people don't think it's proper etiqette but personally, I hate wedding favors. I think they're  a waste of money and time. Most of the time people just throw them away or worse they get left right at the reception. Have you ever saved a favor you've gotten at a wedding? I haven't...

fickrj5

You can go the cheap route with favors and just do a lindt truffle at each seating, they are normally 3/$1.00 but you can buy them in bigger bags at the stores in Freeport or So.Po. I went to a wedding that did this and they got the truffles that has wrappers that matched their colors.  Also I have seen those other chocolate, I think they are called ferreros or something.  Most people would rather have something they can eat rather than something that might get tossed later.  You could also try DIY favors such as the birdseed hearts, or cookies.
The best way to save on flowers is to not use as many, so try to opt for something different in your centerpieces, especially where you are going to have so many tables.  You can also order wholesale flowers from Sam's Club.  I don't believe that they are arranged, but I know that they are very low cost.  MiniMin used them I believe so you could ask her about her expirience when she returns from her Honeymoon.
You can also do a cash bar only, this way it is no money out of your and FI's pocket but it is still available to those who want it. 
You could also talk with your vendor and see what the best and more cost efficient food option is, buffet, or plated, or family style.

Good Luck, I know cutting costs can be hard!

schadbourne

i agree with not doing favors, sometimes even the eddible favors get thrown away, but if your heart is set on it then do it

diy as much as you can--flowers, invites, centerpieces ect

remember simple is elegant

lurk on the diy and budget boards here they give great advice I have already saved so many ideas to help with budget for my wedding just from going on the boards every other day or so.

good luck

jena.n.ross

Book NOW.  Prices (on everything) typically go up every year.  If you book now (caterer, venue dj, etc), you can lock in on this year's price.  Plus, I see your wedding date is 9/10/11.  Cutesy dates like that fill up the quickest, so the sooner you put a first payment on those things/contract, the better.

I understand that cutting the guest list hurts, but have you even been able to find a venue that holds that many people?

We're also skipping the DJ and going the mp3 player/laptop route.  The thought makes me nervous, but it's several hundred dollars I just put back in my pocket.  I've also never seen a DJ whose taste I've enjoyed, so....

Photography is another money-sucker.  So if FI's friend pulls through, you just saved a ton.

MiniMin20

You could cut back on flowers and I don't think people would miss them. I ordered 80 gerbera daisies from Sam's for $65 for centerpieces and they were gorgeous, and the florist wanted $4 a stem for them! We only did three flowers per table and had some left over.

Honestly, cutting food costs is the way to save the most, since it's such a big part of the budget. Cutting people means fewer tables, which means fewer centerpieces, fewer glasses for champagne toast, smaller cake, etc. It might be worth reconsidering.

hannahrh

All the girls above are spot on with their suggestions.

I know you mentioned that trimming the list isn't really an option, but it is.  Mature people know that if they didn't get invited to your wedding it doesn't necessarily mean you didn't want them there.  You don't have to invite every 3rd cousin or everyone that has invited you to their wedding. Keep in mind, not everyone you invite will be able to attend.

bethanyasquith

First off, get married off season.  I would have saved HALF my costs if I got married in late fall or early spring!!!

Second, yeah, nix the favors- no one will notice.

Third, go cupcakes for your cake.  I had 4 family members each make 4 dozen of their favorite kinds- for free.  AWESOME.

Fourth, really read the fine print on the catering.  We were going to do a buffet because we thought it was cheaper, but come to find out, I saved about $4 per person going plated.

Fifth, skip the champagne toast.  Just have everyone raise a glass.

Sixth, instead of gifts, ask CLOSE friends and family to foot the bill for different parts of the wedding.  My cousin is doing the flowers ($500 for everything and she is arranging them), and is getting help with the costs from other family members.  You might be able to get away with this for the dj too, and maybe hair, makeup, and nails.  This really helped us out a lot.

Seventh, make gifts for your wedding party.  They know how much  you have spent on everything so far, so something from the heart is going to go a long way.  You could brew some beer or try making wine for everyone, make jewelry, or put together a photobook of your FI and you with that friend/family member.

Eighth, do a night wedding or morning wedding.  Dinner is when people eat the most, so you have to have the most food available.  Get married at 7 or 8- nice sunset deal, and just do a dessert reception afterward.  Also, if it is an option, have someone like Amato's cater your wedding.  We could have fed 125 for a little over $1000 with really nice dishes and salads.  WAY cheaper than what we are paying our reception hall.

Ninth, get a 'budding' photographer.  Someone who is trying to build their portfolio will do your wedding for wicked cheap.  Tony Llerena is out of Hampden, but I think he will travel and he is VERY inexpensive.  Check out his website and facebook if you want to see more of his stuff.

Tenth, I hate to say it, but cut that list if you can.  Mine went from 133 invited to 105 attendees and about $1000 back in my pocket.  I made an initial list of EVERYONE I wanted, then took my time whittling it down.  Both my parents and his parents were pushing for people, but in the end I gave them each a number and had them prioritize who they wanted.  No one has revolted so far, so we are good!  I know this is a hard process, but it will save you SERIOUS money.

Good luck!!!

annamariacushman

I basically started with a limit on my guest list - I said "This is how many people I can afford to feed", and I stuck to that.  My moto through the whole thing was - "If I wouldn't buy them dinner, I'm not inviting them to my wedding".  I also didn't give my mother or his monther any say in the final invite list.  I certainly don't need to buy dinner for my MIL's hair dresser's cousin...

We vowed not to go into debt for our wedding - every time I considered adding another 5 people, I'd remember that.  I also remembered our next big financial goal - BUYING A HOUSE!  That's a great motivator.

TheWalkers11

We are going to do silk flowers way cheaper and last forever...try cutting down your wedding party too maybe 2 or three each. No needs for STD they are a waste unless you plan on a destination or holiday wedding, no limo, try a CANDY bar for the favors, you can buy in bulk and are tasty, an pay someone to operate the Ipod, we are not having a ring bearor.. our flower girl is doing both jobs, agree with the champagne thing just tell them to raise a glass, do the dollar dance to make some extra cash! Set up a wedding website so you can have people RSVP on there so you dont have to pay for reply cards and postage, and finally this one may be hard but dont take your honeymoon until your 1 year wedding anniversary. That would be an awesome way to celebrate your first year as newlyweds! Thats what we are doing... hope this helps.