help with cost-saving ideas...

nicas828 · January 2011

So I was engaged this past November, and I was wondering what some of you bride to be's are doing to cut costs or save on your budgets.

I guess my plan will be to host a wedding reception where I'll have the ceremony held at the reception venue. I will probably host about 200 or so people. My fiance is a DJ so since he has many DJ friends, we save money on that. Other than that. I'm just at a loss on what to do, and where to look.

His family is all on the southside of Chicago and southern suburbs, and my family is all on the northside of Chicago and northern suburbs. We need to find something in between.... hopefully something very inexpensive (per plate.) I DO plan on having alcohol there, so, unfortunately I know that adds to the costs.

Any help, if any, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

hz80408 · January 2011

My brother just went to a wedding at the W downtown and surprisingly, the bride and groom were able to bring their own alcohol, which obviously saves a ton.

Any idea of dates? That will be one of the best ways to save...to have an off-season wedding

Love is Bald · January 2011

1. Wedding on a Sunday or Friday

2. The cheapest plate that I found on the southside was $40 for family style with alcohol included, chair covers, and ceremony/reception in one place (Chateau Bu'Sche). I didnt visit every place on the southside, but I did visit quite a few

3. Go to bridal expo's. Vendors there will offer discounts for booking appointments with them

4. Some studios offer photog and video packages, i've found this to be cheaper than what I am spending on booking them seperately.

Thats all I could think of now!

Golfer09 · January 2011

If your FI is a DJ, consider bartering services. That might also save cash. DIY, buying other bride's supplies (card box, leftover supplies, etc), also check out the Knot's budget board.

bellowsl · January 2011

Hey there,

I'm sure I am biased with this suggestion but I am getting married at a place in Lincoln Park called Salvatore's Ristorante. We are having out ceremony and reception there and they also include a lot of things in their prices. For example, we will have the whole place to ourselves for the entire day, and this includes, food (with many different options), alcohol (5-hour premium bar), valet, linens/table settings, bartender, waitstaff, and wedding cake (which you can pick from a specific bakery) for $92 a person. I know that probably seems like a lot but it is a good price for everything they include and they are very flexible. Obviously, this is just one option out of hundreds!

Other things we are doing to save money are to make our own place cards, programs for the ceremony, and decorations for the aisle of the ceremony. We also got a great florist who had a lot of money saving ideas like using the ceremony flower arrangements for two of the dinner table arrangements. There are also a lot of wholesale vase dealers that have really great vases for cents!

Finally, Etsy has been my best friend when it comes to wedding planning. They have great stuff from smaller companies that offer great prices to start out their client bases.

Good luck with everything!

nicas828 · January 2011

OMG I LOVE ALL THESE RESPONSES!!!! KEEP 'EM COMING LADIES!!

kthame · January 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_cost-saving-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:3697039f-f697-404e-a96e-be7d4ed86d89Post:9c193568-542a-473f-9b21-2375516017d6">Re: help with cost-saving ideas...</a>:
[QUOTE]OMG I LOVE ALL THESE RESPONSES!!!! KEEP 'EM COMING LADIES!!
Posted by nicas828[/QUOTE]

We had our wedding on a Friday and saved a TON of money. Our reception was at DiNolfo's in Mokena and it was beautiful. We did family style and it was delicious. People still talk about how great the food was, and loved it that they were able to have 2nd's and 3rd's (clearly they had too much to drink at the cocktail hour).

The other advantage of a Friday wedding is the benefit of being able to go into your venue and bring your items and decorate. We brought all of the centerpeces I purchased from Knotties and set everything up the WEDS before...so that was awesome.

LOTS of DIY! If you check my bio you'll see that I did a lot of stuff on my own. I still have stuff for sale in case you're interested.

kthame · January 2011

And I sent you a PM.

nicas828 · January 2011

ok.. I'm still trying to figure out this site! Sorry.

sharonda1981 · January 2011

My FI and I are on a strict budget so we are finding several ways to save. I created my own invitation using microsoft word and some nice paper from Micheals Crafts store. Saved me a bundle. theweddingoutlet.com has some nice deals on anything for your wedding. Also for a venue try your local VFW hall. They have a lot of VFWs that accomodates up to 200 guest with drinks and food included. We are having ours at the Oaklawn VFW, 200 guest, 6 hours, open bar, and family style dinner for $30 a head, 1/2 off for childern. One last thing utilize friends and family with store credit cards. My dad is getting my shoes for me at Macy's cause he has a Macy's card. My sister is getting my under garments from Victoria Secrets for me with her store card. Close family would help if they understand how expensive wedding planning can be.

nicas828 · January 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_cost-saving-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:3697039f-f697-404e-a96e-be7d4ed86d89Post:08594bb5-cfc6-4362-8d88-4f7bf8ee2935">Re: help with cost-saving ideas...</a>:
[QUOTE]My FI and I are on a strict budget so we are finding several ways to save. I created my own invitation using microsoft word and some nice paper from Micheals Crafts store. Saved me a bundle. theweddingoutlet.com has some nice deals on anything for your wedding. Also for a venue try your local VFW hall. They have a lot of VFWs that accomodates up to 200 guest with drinks and food included. We are having ours at the Oaklawn VFW, 200 guest, 6 hours, open bar, and family style dinner for $30 a head, 1/2 off for childern. One last thing utilize friends and family with store credit cards. My dad is getting my shoes for me at Macy's cause he has a Macy's card. My sister is getting my under garments from Victoria Secrets for me with her store card. Close family would help if they understand how expensive wedding planning can be.
Posted by sharonda1981[/QUOTE]

I thought of a VFW but I thought they didn't provide ANY catering... $30 a head is DEFINITELY in my budget.....

amilinia · January 2011

If you have your wedding in the early part of the day can save you tons of money. I found my venue at an excellent rate when I booked it earlier part of the day. DIY anything you can to save on money. I purchased my wedding invites from Wal-Mart for about $20. I even got my save the dates through Wal-Mart online photo store.

nicas828 · January 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_cost-saving-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:3697039f-f697-404e-a96e-be7d4ed86d89Post:f40dc868-658d-443b-a080-4dd374b52942">Re: help with cost-saving ideas...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you have your wedding in the early part of the day can save you tons of money. I found my venue at an excellent rate when I booked it earlier part of the day. DIY anything you can to save on money. I purchased my wedding invites from Wal-Mart for about $20. I even got my save the dates through Wal-Mart online photo store.
Posted by amilinia[/QUOTE]

Walmart is like my 3rd home.... Target is my second. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-sealed.gif" border="0" alt="Sealed" title="Sealed" /> I will definitely check that out.

arteduc8 · January 2011

I'm designing my own Save the Dates and Invites with Photoshop and Illustrator to save a ton of money. I'm a digital art teacher, so why not? I'm also planning to DIY my jewelry and the bridesmaids for gifts.

And a simple way to save money.... cut the guest list. We're keeping our list to about 100 so that only our nearest and dearest are part of our day. And for alcohol, we plan to have a specialty drink, beer, and wine (which we will pick out) to keep costs in check with the bar. We're also going family style instead of plated entrees since it's cheaper at our venue.

Another way to save money is for photography or videography to find an up and coming artist. Try your local college.

For flowers, after I got two estimates that were double my budget, I think I will plan to do the centerpieces myself (loose garden vintagey fresh cut flowers) from www.fiftyflowers.com and have a friend who has a floral business do the bridal party. I think it will save me $1000 in the end.

MrsMLRB · January 2011

As people said, changing the time and date (not a Saturday night wedding) will save you a lot of money. I went to a Sunday brunch wedding that was lovely. Just be prepared that it won't be your guests dancing all night (most people cut out about an hour after brunch was over). But we all had a great time- mimosas and pancakes are delicious!

I picked one area that I was willing to splurge on and then cut the rest of my areas drastically. For me, an open bar and good food were a must. So we are spending the bulk of our money on having both of those things.

For flowers, we are doing only roses, which are fairly inexpensive as wedding flowers go. Also, do your own centerpieces instead of having them made by a florist (keep your eye on craigslist and here for centerpiece stuff that you could use).

With the florist, DJ and videographer, we found that if you offered to pay the entire balance up from in cash/check, they could cut 5-10% off their quoted price since you are saving them the credit card fees.

We are also making our own invites which will save us a lot of money. Paperandmore and cards and pockets both have nice paper selection with envelopes, etc.

I also recommend staying out of the city if you really want to cut your budget. FI really had his heart set on getting married within Chicago (he had this vision of all our guests arriving on the El). But when we started talking to places, the prices were almost double the cost of the suburbs. Plus make sure you factor in the taxes- the taxes and gratuities that were built into the contract were more in the city as well.

MobKaz · January 2011

If your bio date of June, 2012, is accurate, then I would suggest "locking" in a few ideas now (colors, any potential "theme" or concepts), and keeping track of trends and sales. For example, if you know for certain that the color red will be involved, then mark your calendar to attack the stores after Valentine's Day, 4th of July, and Christmas of 2011. That would apply to all things crafty, fabrics, linens, paper goods, or even cardstock.

Look diligently at the store ads for Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn Fabrics. Everything goes on sale in cycles....you should be able to buy almost anything you need 1/2 off if you plan ahead. My daughter is using a lot of feathers in her bouquets.....we bought at least 200-----never for more than 1/2 off. They will even have an "all things bridal...1/2 off sale" probably once every quarter year.

Because we knew we were having a photobooth, with hit the stores big time after Halloween, 2010, for props to use at our June, 2011 wedding.

Also, because we booked our venue right after the new year of 2010, for a 2011 wedding.....we got two great deals! We were able to lock in to the 2009 prices because the venue had yet to raise their new rates....AND....got a 10% discount if we signed in January.

My daughter and I also learned that a polite but sincere phrase inserted into emails to vendors often reaped discounts. After inquiring about rates, we would often end our email with something along the lines of, "Although we find your service to be a luxury versus a necessity, it is one we are trying hard to fit into our budget. We hope the prices you quote will be favorable to our budget as well as our event".....

It also helps to show that you have done your homework in researching other vendors.....and insert that into emails as well......"we have noticed that photographer X provides 10 hours of service and a free DVD.....do you offer something similar?".......

Hope that made sense. Good luck!

nicas828 · January 2011

Thank you ladies! I plan on being extremely busy over the next year and a half. I have my best friend's wedding in August of this year. My FI and I are planning on buying a home, and then of course, we need to plan our own wedding for next year. It's going to be very stressful time. Thanks for the advice and support!

thealphabride · January 2011

The pp's gave some great advice. I also would advise to keep your guest list smaller if you can. Cutting your guest list is the most effective way to cut costs.

One more aspect of saving is to keep your wedding party small if you can... It is less bouquets, bouts, and gifts.
I just had my 2 sisters as attendants, and my son and stepson were on the men's side. I had no drama surrounding attire, shoes, hair. They chose their own gown and shoes, and hair. A few good girlfriends had raised eyebrows but I included them doing readings and prayers during the ceremony. It all turned out very well. And I didn't get them flowers, but did get them a small gift and invited to the rehersal and rehersal dinner.

Having a small wedding party cuts down on the cost of the RD too.

I used a friend to sing during the ceremony and had the DJ do the ceremony music. NO PAID MUSICIANS.

Remember "one use" items can be purchased very cheap!!! My garter was a few bucks from Michaels, my "bride and groom" toasting flutes were simple and purchased at GOODWILL for a few bucks. I used the caterer's supplies to cut our cake. Did not buy cake serving pieces at all. No One even saw the pieces and many didn't even see the cake.

I purchased 15 framed table numbers from another knottie for 20 bucks. Stalk the local boards for "for sale items" from other brides. I did rent a card birdcage from my florist for 20 bucks. It's all the little things that really add up. It would have cost me more to make the card box. Guest book. DO NOT buy an expensive one, it's just not needed. I got one at Michaels for half price with a coupon.

Frankly some things just aren't needed at all. Save the Dates can be eliminated, contact your out of town guests with the wedding date. It takes lots of postage and paper to do these. I didn't. Specialty isle runner is not needed. You can buy one at Michaels for cheap. WE had one but didn't use it during out outdoor ceremony because it was windy. I spent money on something that was placed on the DJ table. Not necessary. Favors can be done very cheap or eliminated. No one keeps anything with your name or monogram on it, and many are left on tables after the reception. We did jordon almonds in tulle, and I stamped a little thank you card and attached it. Programs aren't needed. Or print your own cheap. You should only make programs for half of the guests. Someone told me this and I didn't listen. We made a program for every guest and had half left over.

If you do a small bridal party, use your own cars. You can save a bundle there too. You are only going from your house to the ceremony/reception venue. Limo's aren't needed. We used our own cars.

DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON ANYTHING WEDDING RELATED UNTIL YOU HAVE A SOLID BUDGET ON PAPER AND STICK TO IT. I had to resisit going out and spending money on things when the engagement happened. I did not spend until I had a budget. It was difficult, but I paid for 2/3 of our wedding myself so I kept tract of everything in order not to overspend. My husband is just as frugal as I and he paid for the other one third of the wedding costs, the honeymoon was included in that cost.

TRACT every dime you spend on the wedding in your budget. I loved www.weddingwire.com You can estimate costs then when you put deposits down it keeps track of your balances owed. Most of the final payments come all at once. KEEP TRACK it will reduce your stress.

I used the site and every interactive tool they had, the budget tool, checklist and guest tools are GREAT. When it comes down to the end and you need to assign guests to tables they give you an actual room layout with the tables and you drop and drag names to seats, it was awesome.

WE had a gorgeous wedding and I loved it. Many items were either eliminated or done on the cheap. We have nice photos, I paid 1K and got 800 images edited on a disk. I created my own parent albums for Christmas for around 130 bucks.

Think about the elements of the wedding that are important to you and spend your money there. People remember you, the groom, your gown, the food and bar and the fun dancing. That's it. My important elements were VENUE, floral, music, food, bar and my attire. Actually my food was 42 per person for a 5 course meal, and 3hour full open bar. We ended our reception at 10pm so we didn't have to pay for extra hours for the venue. Believe me it was long enough, people started leaving at 9ish.
I ordered the cake from the caterer to avoid set up and delivery charges from a bakery. The cake was pretty, and tasty, was cut immediately before the dinner and wisked away for cutting. I don't think anyone even saw it up close because we cut it so fast.
At the reception listening to the speeches.

nicas828 · January 2011

Love it. Very informative @thealphabride Thank you.

mspetitebride · January 2011

Since I work with many women I always get tips...a recent one I heard is that Jewel (the grocery store) actually makes bouquets and wedding arrangement flowers....weird I need to check that out.

Also check out Blue Fountain...and Astoria? Banquets...my friends recently went there and sometimes they have promotions and things end up cheap. Check out Carnivale too they have many many options and you wouldn't have to spend money on decor because that place is bursting with color

Miracle520 · January 2011

PP have said so much and are helpful but I will tell you to try and work with your vendors on costs. I am not a small budget but I do love to stay on my budget. I have had quite a few vendors adjust or comp things for me or add something in for free to make sure I stayed under the top number I gave them. I would just be very honest about how much you can spend. Also prioritize what's most important and spend your money there. For us it's the food and the photographer so we sank the most of our budget in those items. To make up for it, I'm using Vistaprint for our STD's and invites. Paper wasn't nearly as important to me so why waste a lot of money on it?

jessicaelisekane · January 2011

I'm a huge DIY-er and I'm pretty crafty. I've fallen in love with this website: http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/index.html If you're able to DIY, that can help with the costs as well. I looked into Blue Fountain. They seemed nice. We're going with William Tell and they're letting us use my father's wine (he owns a winery locally) and that will help with alcohol costs. Also, I know that he does a lot of personalized wine bottles for weddings, so if you can do a wedding favor that doubles as something useful for the wedding, that might help too!

Good luck!

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