inexpensive wedding

Re: inexpensive wedding

• OBX2011 member

  

  May 2011

  Congrats to you!  This is a very exciting time so enjoy it before you get too stressed over wedding planning.
  
  There is a DIY board that is most helpful
  
  To not break the bank:
  
  Rule #1  Do NOT go over budget.  The budget is there for a reason so make sure you stick by it.  If there is something that you absolutely must have but are worried about costs, then you may have to cut back on another area such as flowers or favors or decorations, etc. 
  
  Rule #2  Re-read Rule #1
  
  Have you done your budget?  Any venues in mind yet?  Colors?

   

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• sakulina12 member

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  Congratulations! I'm in the same place as you are, newly engaged and keeping our budget LOW, under 2k. What we did is, ask around your friends and family members and have them put their skills to use at your wedding(that's what we're doing).
  
  My fiancee's uncle is a minister who owns his own church and has agreed to marry us and we can host our wedding at his church AND have the reception there as well(all for free) on one awesome condition: we are required to get premarital counseling by him before he marries us(YES! if you have the chance to do that- do it!)- that alone cuts down the cost a LOT.
  
  If nobody you know knows a minister or has a nice place for a wedding(back yard, beach house, nice rental property, etc), look into booking a VFW Hall for the wedding and the reception(my grandparents did this, and so did my parents- it was inexpensive, and spacious).
  
  Also, another major expense is the photographer/ videographer who usually run $400 and up. The best place to start is students(local art school/ college) who are majoring in Photography- they usually have the experience, and are trying to build their portfolios so you could ask around and ask if they will do a TFP(Time For [actual]Prints- meaning, your time for prints- win/win) or a TFCD(Time For CD- your time for a CD with your photos on it- also, win/win). We are lucky in this department because I have worked with a photographer who took my maternity photos(and did a GREAT job) and he'll also be doing our engagement photos, as long as I will work with him more before the wedding(modeling). MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT PORTFOLIOS BEFORE BOOKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.
  
  The above mentioned are 2 of a few most expensive things to do with a wedding, so I hope it helps.
  
  For wedding gowns, I was recommended to actually go to a few local flea markets since they have wedding boutiques and they run fairly inexpensive and they do the same great job as any major bridal store does, if not better. For alterations, turn to a family/ friend seamstress(my mom works with clothes and fabric all day long- yet another plus), and make sure they know what they are doing because usually just hemming up the train of your gown may run about $100.
  
  Also, we have decided not to do an open bar since that will run pretty expensive also, so we are thinking about having a couple fruit juice punch bowls for the young ones/ non- drinkers, and maybe some spiked ones for the adults
  Food- wise, we may have a barbecue set up with some grilled chicken, pork chops, and a few entrees(haven't gotten that far yet haha).
  
  
  I really hope all this information helps Congratulations again, and good luck to you both
  
  P.S. Friday late afternoon/evening weddings(which is what we planned) run cheaper than Saturday/ Sunday weddings. Also make sure to check out the holidays around the date of your wedding to make sure it doesn't clash with vacations/ rituals/ traditions for your guests

  

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