um...help

Re: um...help

• kmmssg mod

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  The biggest money sucker in a wedding is the size of the guest list.  Each guest needs an invitation w/rsvp postage, appetizers, drinks, food, favors, and make SURE to check for any gratuities that vendors charge.  It is pretty standard for the caterer to have a gratuity in the contract.   Check with all of the vendors on that.
  
  Pick the 2 or 3 elements that are most important to them and tell them not to watch Bridezillas or Platinum Weddings.  That's not real life.  You can emphasize those 2 or 3 important things while being very thrifty on the others.
  
  Having an early afternoon wedding or one after 8 pm gives you the opportunity to just serve cake/punch and have a short reception.  Those "evening" receptions can really add up quickly.
  
  Google DIY wedding things and check out the images, you can get great ideas that way.
  
  Above all - remind them that guests remember good food, good drinks, and a happy couple having a great time.  Those are the elements that will have guests talking about the wedding later on (in a happy way).
  
  Good luck to you and your sister.

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• Summer2011Bride member

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_umhelp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:24b32e9b-c1b6-44ac-8f4a-7f34d526cf0fPost:fb47bb37-e5ef-434e-9c5f-783fd6ffa01e">um...help</a>:
  [QUOTE]Hi guys!      So, my sister is getting married and the budget is really low. I'm super excited to be her maid of honor and be there for her.  She wants to get married quickly, since its been 7 years with her fiance and she really want kids.  She's frustrated and having a hard time accepting that <strong>we can't affort </strong>what she really wants and may not be able to do it as soon as she wants.  Does anybody have any low budget, but great ideas, or words of...i don't know, encouragment.  I feel like I'm doing my best, but its hard when there is no date picked or venue.  Ideas??? 
  Posted by cori4evans[/QUOTE]
  
  I was just curious who the "we" is you're referring to--who is paying for the wedding?
  
  But like PP said, the guest list is the biggest money-sucker, if you want to think of it that way. Cutting down the guest list cuts down ALL your costs (food, drink, invitations, favors if you're doing them, tables you have to have, etc.). I would definitely go for a smaller wedding if you're having trouble affording a bigger one. Decide what couple things are most important (do you want to splurge on photographer? Is the cake more important than the photos, etc.) and then cut costs on the other things.
  
  The only thing to be careful of is that you still need to properly host guests, so splurging $5000 on a dress or photographer and then only having appetizers or having a cash bar would be a little tacky. Make sure you provide for your guests adequately.

  
  
  
  
  

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• covejack

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  There's a budget brides board that will probably be helpful.  Good luck.

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• JessicaCrystalGailAmerson

  

  July 2011 edited December 2011

  I was a bridesmaid in a wedding like that. the sad part was she had no one to help her with anything financially or even planning wise. her other bridesmaids and family members just didnt really care. i on the other hand planned her ceremony, helped her pick out her dress, decorated and put up signs for directions. I was the only one of the entire wedding party to show for rehearsal, was the only one who actually bought a bm dress like she wanted. I even shelled out a couple hundred bucks to help and it wasnt even my wedding!  the best advice i can give u is be there for your sister. yes she might want some things she cant afford but thats what happens when u plan a wedding on a strict budget. make the most of it and always let her know you got her back.

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