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Ohio-Cincinnati
kellykmj82
member
wedding on a budget
hello... i got engaged in November but new on here. I haven't really got any planning done due to budget issues. I;ve only done a little online browsing. I want to have a nice wedding in Cincinnati. I'm not really sure of my budget yet but I know it won't be too much. I'm starting with trying to find a nice yet affordable place to have the ceremony and reception with catering since that is the majority of the cost and go from there. Any ideas....
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Re: wedding on a budget
Also, if you haven't set your date yet (not sure because it sayd you're getting married on 11/16/11 which is a Wednesday?) you can save a lot of money just by having an off season wedding (January- March) you can also save a lot of money by doing a Friday or Sunday wedding rather than a Saturday. I saved at least $10,000 just on food and drink for my venue by getting married on a Saturday in March. Also DIY can save you as well, but it can also be as costly sometimes as well.
Before you start looking to book any vendors, I would recommend you:
1. make up a draft guest list
2. determine how much you and FI have to spend on the wedding (whether from your own savings, or if either of your parents offer to contribute money)
3. Create a draft budget. Look at what typical percentages are for a budget, then adjust that based on what is important to you.
GL!
In your budget also be prepared for when you do decide to start booking venues and vendors that you need about 1500-2500 (possibly more depending on budget and where/whom you choose) up front for deposits to book all your vendors. Cake places take about 100.00, Photographers take 250-500, Florists 150-300, and the most important is venue which is usually 10% of your package you pick with them.
After that, they generally have a set payment schedule, but most do not care if you pay them monthly which may help you in putting the wedding in a managable budget. Just keep those reciepts!
Good luck and congratulations!!
If you want to stay at $5000, it will be tight if you're going to do a full dinner wedding. Do an afternoon event to save money (food and beverage costs are lower). Look for a place where you can bring in your own catering, like those mentioned in the other post. Bargain shop- that stuff at hobby lobby will be half off about every six weeks, try to find a once used dress (snooty fox or chaz consignment), etc. It can be done, but it's going to take some legwork.
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While we are spending way more than $2,000 on our wedding, I found this blog at the beginning of planning and it helped me to realize there are lots of ways to have a meaningful wedding without spending $25,000. It also has some great ideas about ways to save money:
http://2000dollarwedding.com/2008/07/from-conception-to-reception.html
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-budget/articles/cheap-wedding-in-cincinnati-ohio.aspx
Welcome to the Knot! :-)
Let me know if you need any help with planning or with the DIY!
Here are some budget tips- I don't like the knot budgeter...
50% of your budget is for reception- venue rental, food & service, alcohol, bar services and cake & cutting services- don't forget the 27% off the top for tax and gratuity.
Attire is 10%- that's for your dress, alterations, hair & make up ect. This also includes Mark's tux or suit- though if you do rental, you can usually get the groom's free.
The ceremony is 3%- location fee, officiant fee, ceremony accessories and marriage license.
Flowers & Decor -10%- all the bouqets, centerpieces and ceremony decorations
Music- 10%- both ceremony music & reception music
Stationary- 3% - Save the dates (not neccessary), invites, programs, thank you notes and postage
Transportation & Lodging- 1% - Hotel accommodations and limo services
The last 3% is for attendant gifts, favors & parents gifts.
These are all just guidelines- you just have to decide what's most important to you, and adjust it to your needs.
I am happy to show you all my resources and the excel file I use to keep track of our budget.
My suggestions- skip the transportation and lodging, forget the Save the dates, host the wedding and reception in the same place, DIY flowers, book your preferred vendors early (the ones with the great prices book well in advance!) and be careful of the alcohol bill.
Oh yea- AND don't forget to ask for help if you need it! I know you have a pretty awesome cousin who works for Clinique who would be happy to do your make up! ;-)
Love ya!
Theresa
http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/amanda6033
If your affiliated with a church, its free to have the ceremony, and only small cost for a recpetion/hall if they have one. Thats what were doing. For food, we are using a restraunt. WAY cheaper than caterer. For Pompilios Italian for everyone its only $730 for alfredo penne and pasta meat sauce rigatoni. They were supplying the salad. Theres a bunch of tricks to have a nice wedidng.
And thanks Amanda I'll check out your bio for some ideas!
Not sure where you are located but there is a place in Owensville (near Batavia) called Pattinson park, they are extremely reasonable. They do book out far inadvance bc of that reason. My cousin and a friend of my got married and help receptions there. Also you can bring in your own caterering, and I also suggest Golden Rule Catering in Ameila. They have great food at a reasonable price.
I just got engaged and I think the hardest thing is finding a place to get married and have a reception at a decent price.