North Carolina-Outer Banks
sarahebrown
member
Over Budget: What to cut?
sarahebrown
member
Hey All,
As most of you have followed along with my saga of dealing with my venue, cake and other issues lately, I won't go into detail here again about all the drama. But now, since we have essentially double-paid for our cake, we are short on cash for other wedding items we wanted. So....unfortunately, it's time to cut out some things we can't afford anymore. Help me decide, what should get cut and what should stay?
As most of you have followed along with my saga of dealing with my venue, cake and other issues lately, I won't go into detail here again about all the drama. But now, since we have essentially double-paid for our cake, we are short on cash for other wedding items we wanted. So....unfortunately, it's time to cut out some things we can't afford anymore. Help me decide, what should get cut and what should stay?
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Re: Over Budget: What to cut?
What were you thinking for favors? Maybe you can switch to something less expensive there. Same with your extra decor. Those little touches go so far, but maybe you could make some less expensive trades.
I wouldn't trade our guestbook for anything. The things people wrote on the postcards STILL make me tear up.
06.24.11 OBX, NC
Planning Bio
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After that I'd vote card box or extra decor.
Hatteras, North Carolina
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Oh, and about the ceremony water. We brought our own tubs and asked Trish if she could provide ice for those or if we'd need to bring bagged ice. She said she always provides water because of how hot it is and not to worry about any of it and just drop off our tubs. We did. Her water was $8 a bottle, which we noticed when we paid the final bill. We should have asked and gone with our own bottles (which we had cute labels for too!). I don't know if she does that for fall weddings or not, but you should probably ask because that could hit your budget in an unexpected way.
06.24.11 OBX, NC
Planning Bio
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Okay, so ditch the programs. Easy enough.
I was thinking of doing the NC lottery tickets for favors. They were gonna cost about $100 total including the envelopes and seals.
Teach- how much did you spend on the post cards in lieu of a guest book? I wonder if it would be cheaper...
So my vote is programs and favors!
For favors, (I was actually about to post a question about that and still will- might give you some ideas) but I think my Mom and I are making some family recipe italian cookies that people can bag themselves and take; we had to chose the recipes that required cheaper ingredients, and then are doing homemade jam in tiny jars for the local reception. I feel it's better use and cheaper than other favors we looked at- would something this maybe be an option?
Also, I'd really be choosy with your decor; half of the things people may not notice. Definitely look into ways to stretching it, or cutting things in half. I was going to use ribbons or lights around the stairway railings inside the house, but realized no one would think twice if they were bare, and most people will be outside if it's nice anyway. So maybe re-thinking layout/etc will help with that?
GOOD LUCK! The budget sucks.... OH we also contacted our caterer and cut out appetizers; with the $500 we saved there, we're going to run to Harris Teeter and pick up fruit/cheese/cracker trays and re-arrange them more "pretty" ourselves. After our engagement party, we realized how LITTLE people actually eat, and just like something to munch on while mingling waiting for you...
Hope that helps some!
Anyways, I say get rid of the top 3. Although, I'm doing programs because I'm doing them myself and are really very cheap. I'll design yours for you if you want, and you can print them at home. With small weddings like ours, there's a very different dynamic. You don't really need all that crap. Just enjoy the food and drink, and spend time with the people that came and you really care about. The details really don't matter in the end.
Blue & Gold Beach Theme Wedding Items For Sale
We bought our postcards at Sunsations last summer. I think they were 4 (maybe 5) for $1. Most guests did one per couple, but a few wrote separates.
Our program fans were $8 for 30 fans, and our taffy favor bags were $40.
So what are you getting at The Pearl instead of cake, since the cost is already factored into your contract and you're now getting your own cake? Are they going to do a different dessert, more appetizers, take it off your drink bill, or what?
06.24.11 OBX, NC
Planning Bio
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[QUOTE]We bought our postcards at Sunsations last summer. I think they were 4 (maybe 5) for $1. Most guests did one per couple, but a few wrote separates. Our program fans were $8 for 30 fans, and our taffy favor bags were $40. So what are you getting at The Pearl instead of cake, since the cost is already factored into your contract and you're now getting your own cake? Are they going to do a different dessert, more appetizers, take it off your drink bill, or what?
Posted by ms_teach[/QUOTE]
This is with the presumption that she's actually had communication with them.
Blue & Gold Beach Theme Wedding Items For Sale
[QUOTE]We bought our postcards at Sunsations last summer. I think they were 4 (maybe 5) for $1. Most guests did one per couple, but a few wrote separates. Our program fans were $8 for 30 fans, and our taffy favor bags were $40.<strong> So what are you getting at The Pearl instead of cake, since the cost is already factored into your contract and you're now getting your own cake? Are they going to do a different dessert, more appetizers, take it off your drink bill, or what?
</strong>Posted by ms_teach[/QUOTE]
As of now, we ordered the cake completely seperate from The Pearl. We re-drafted our contract with The Pearl to reflect that the cake will no longer be included in the cost. Since we have already paid them the deposit which was meant for Great Cakes, they will have to cough up the extra money, rather than try to come up with "extras" for us to pay for. Since they never signed the original contract, we will just have to wait and see what their next move is. But I'm playing hard ball now baby. They messed with the wrong bride.
We might be operating on a different contract, but our cake price was included in the per person cost for food. Just wanted to make sure yours wasn't the same and that you had also paid the cake deposit on top of that. Hope that makes sense. Good luck. Your wedding really will work out, in spite of all these headaches getting there it. I know it will!
06.24.11 OBX, NC
Planning Bio
Married Bio
[QUOTE]<strong>Oh, and about the ceremony water</strong>. We brought our own tubs and asked Trish if she could provide ice for those or if we'd need to bring bagged ice. She said she always provides water because of how hot it is and not to worry about any of it and just drop off our tubs. We did. <strong> Her water was $8 a bottle</strong>, which we noticed when we paid the final bill. We should have asked and gone with our own bottles (which we had cute labels for too!). I don't know if she does that for fall weddings or not, but you should probably ask because that could hit your budget in an unexpected way.
Posted by ms_teach[/QUOTE]
Does Ceremony water = water bottles for heat? $8 a bottle??!?!?!?! BJ's sells cases of water for like $4 or $5 bucks! Wow! Or am I missing something?
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Over Budget: What to cut? : As of now, we ordered the cake completely seperate from The Pearl. We re-drafted our contract with The Pearl to reflect that the cake will no longer be included in the cost. Since we have already paid them the deposit which was meant for Great Cakes, they will have to cough up the extra money, rather than try to come up with "extras" for us to pay for. Since they never signed the original contract, we will just have to wait and see what their next move is. But I'm playing hard ball now baby. <strong>They messed with the wrong bride.
</strong>Posted by sarahebrown[/QUOTE]
Oh no BRIDEZILLA!!!!!!!! Go get 'em Sarah!
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Over Budget: What to cut? : Does Ceremony water = water bottles for heat? $8 a bottle??!?!?!?! BJ's sells cases of water for like $4 or $5 bucks! Wow! Or am I missing something?
Posted by Phillyboy06[/QUOTE]
Haha.. no.. it was just bottled water for guests since they had to sit outside during the ceremony. I don't think it was actually $8, I was exaggerating and should have put "like" in front of it. They should make a sarcasm font. ;) But it was a lot compared to what you'd pay for bottled water yourself. I remember thinking I was glad everyone didn't decide they needed a bottle.
06.24.11 OBX, NC
Planning Bio
Married Bio