Would love input from you ladies!

Re: Would love input from you ladies!

• Lisa50 member

  

  July 2012

  It sounds like you will have a fabulous time -- you have such a great attitude, I'm certain everything will work out!!
  
  I won't tackle every possible way to save cash, but will hit on a couple.  Lots of input will come from other ladies (hopefully some of the married ones), so keep coming back to read the posts.
  
  First, response cards are NOT necessary.  Your invitation only needs to be a single sheet.  Including  R.S.V.P. in the lower left corner indicates to your guests to reply (etiquette directs they mail a handwritten letter, in reality, people will do that, email, call, whatever).  I did not include response cards and, based on the reply rates I've read about on these boards, I had fewer non-responses than folks who spend money on reply cards, envelopes, etc.
  
  Next, don't have programs, menu cards or favors.  Skip the aisle runner and pew decorations.  Have two large floral arrangements on the altar (or near the officiant) to frame the view.  Make sure those two arrangements make it to the reception venue.
  
  Keep flowers to the absolute bare minimum -- your bouquet, his bout and, if you would feel bad for not doing it, bouquets and bouts for the wedding party.  Don't spend money on flowers for parents, readers, etc. Use candles as centerpieces. Oh! Don't spend money on chair covers, either.
  
  Those are top of mind ... someone else will pick up where I've left off.
  
  P.S.  Make sure someone is taking photos.  That is not the place to skimp.  You'll have photos for the rest of your life.

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• StevieSquaw member

  

  July 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_second-weddings_would-love-input-from-you-ladies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:35Discussion:e68b83c1-3ff6-4f30-9b07-3ba9486dffe4Post:988fd23b-95f6-43a3-94b4-77a072ea6d37">Re: Would love input from you ladies!</a>:
  [QUOTE]It sounds like you will have a fabulous time -- you have such a great attitude, I'm certain everything will work out!! I won't tackle every possible way to save cash, but will hit on a couple.  Lots of input will come from other ladies (hopefully some of the married ones), so keep coming back to read the posts. First, response cards are NOT necessary.  Your invitation only needs to be a single sheet.  Including   R.S.V.P. in the lower left corner indicates to your guests to reply (etiquette directs they mail a handwritten letter, in reality, people will do that, email, call, whatever).  I did not include response cards and, based on the reply rates I've read about on these boards, I had fewer non-responses than folks who spend money on reply cards, envelopes, etc. Next, don't have programs, menu cards or favors.  Skip the aisle runner and pew decorations.  Have two large floral arrangements on the altar (or near the officiant) to frame the view.  Make sure those two arrangements make it to the reception venue. Keep flowers to the absolute bare minimum -- your bouquet, his bout and, if you would feel bad for not doing it, bouquets and bouts for the wedding party.  Don't spend money on flowers for parents, readers, etc. Use candles as centerpieces. Oh! Don't spend money on chair covers, either. Those are top of mind ... someone else will pick up where I've left off. P.S.  Make sure someone is taking photos.  That is not the place to skimp.  You'll have photos for the rest of your life.
  Posted by Lisa50[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>Thanks for your input Lisa!  Unfortunately, flowers are already on order by contract and half paid for, and so are the centerpieces which we view today, but the company we used is very reasonable - we were shocked - and we're meeting with the florist today so I'm going to pare it down a bit to cheaper flowers (we had wanted special flame lilies from Africa for old times sakes.  The venue actually has two arrangements at the altar that we can use so I won't have to put the money out on any. Great suggestions by you with regard to the favors, menus, etc.  We're not doing seating (we want people to mix it up since so many are coming in from all over the US/World) and I think I'm switching over to a buffet option which is slightly cheaper.  We are having open bar - had already set that up, but now going to do an open/cash after we reach the maximum amount.  My phtographer is actually a good friend of mine - yes she's an amateur, but she's really good, and frankly, I never hardly looked at my wedding photos the first time around that were done professionally.  This way I'll have memories though, because you never know what's going to come out of her mouth while taking the photos -she's done some for us before.  We're also getting disposable cameras for the tables and I'm sure my guests will send me any pics they take with their phones - everyone's got a camera nowadays.  LOL  What I will spend on is a videographer if we can afford it.  There's one that comes with the DJ vendor we chose, so will see if we can get a deal that way.  Our original budget was $30k to $35 and I think I can now pare it down to around $28k.  We've already paid off about 40% of it, if not more.  Doing the figures today.</div>

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• handfast4me member

  

  July 2012

  Uh, yeah. So, you had a "proper" wedding if you had to get divorced or a spouse died to get you out of the marriage. That wording insults those of us who chose to have a simple wedding on a beach with just us and the officiant. Which, by the way was a great way to simplify and for us to put that money toward our home. No reason to brag about the cost, its just not something we wanted to do.

  Don't mess with the old dogs; age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

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• StevieSquaw member

  

  August 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_second-weddings_would-love-input-from-you-ladies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35Discussion:e68b83c1-3ff6-4f30-9b07-3ba9486dffe4Post:bfd3a6b8-147c-453a-91a2-868a9599f84c">Re:Would love input from you ladies!</a>:
  [QUOTE]Uh, yeah. So, you had a "proper" wedding if you had to get divorced or a spouse died to get you out of the marriage. That wording insults those of us who chose to have a simple wedding on a beach with just us and the officiant. Which, by the way was a great way to simplify and for us to put that money toward our home. No reason to brag about the cost, its just not something we wanted to do.
  Posted by handfast4me[/QUOTE]
  
  Um, I wasn't bragging, I was excited....and thinking ahead to see how I can pare down more. I would hope that you see your post for what it is:  Rude. 

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