Alternative options to save money

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

Sorry this is so long. It's part rant and part question.

We decided to get married September 24, 2011. We started planning and determined that with 100 guests (90% of which is family and all coming from out of state/internationally) and all the details we (or maybe I) wanted, it was going to run anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000 and that doesn't include our honeymoon cruise.

Ken was going to ask his dad to borrow $5,000 and had a plan and everything in place to pay him back but, unfortunately, he won't loan us the money. I can't ask my mom for the money cuz she lives internationally and with the exchange rate etc, it's not even feasible to ask her for a loan. She doesn't like Ken anyway so she probably wouldn't loan me the money if she could.

I've been planning all kinds of ways to save money and cut costs and the cheapest I can probably get this wedding is $8,000 and I'm not trying to go into debt just for one day. Anyway, Ken made 2 suggestions:

1) Have a ceremony only and forgoe a reception. My thing is that I don't want to drag 100 people here from out of state/internationally for a ceremony that's not even gonna last 30 minutes. Financially, that doesn't even make sense IMO;

2) Go to the courthouse and get married there, not inviting any friends or family. But that makes me sad because I want to have that wedding experience and I want to share my happiness with our fam and friends.

So, rant aside, my question is this: Is it tacky to have a ceremony and no reception???? Basically, post ceremony, everyone goes their own way? What other suggestions are there? I really want an experience that I will love and a memory that I can share with my children when they grow up.

I also tried to convince Ken that we should go to Vegas....but he doesn't want to do that either cuz his dad got married in Vegas 3 times, all of which failed. UGH.

Suggestions would be awesome!

twilight.rose · August 2010

To answer your question, yes it is extremely tacky.

You must have a reception for your guests, even if it just cake and punch in a church hall. They've given, at the very least, their time to be with you on your wedding day, and it is only appropriate to host a reception, no matter how simple or small.

aerinpegadrak · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:e342069c-54bc-4fe9-a6f6-1290770db047">Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry this is so long. It's part rant and part question. We decided to get married September 24, 2011. We started planning and determined that with 100 guests (90% of which is family and all coming from out of state/internationally) and all the details we (or maybe I) wanted, it was going to run anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000 and that doesn't include our honeymoon cruise. Ken was going to ask his dad to borrow $5,000 and had a plan and everything in place to pay him back but, unfortunately, he won't loan us the money. I can't ask my mom for the money cuz she lives internationally and with the exchange rate etc, it's not even feasible to ask her for a loan. She doesn't like Ken anyway so she probably wouldn't loan me the money if she could. I've been planning all kinds of ways to save money and cut costs and the cheapest I can probably get this wedding is $8,000 and I'm not trying to go into debt just for one day. Anyway, Ken made 2 suggestions: 1) Have a ceremony only and forgoe a reception. My thing is that I don't want to drag 100 people here from out of state/internationally for a ceremony that's not even gonna last 30 minutes. Financially, that doesn't even make sense IMO; 2) Go to the courthouse and get married there, not inviting any friends or family. But that makes me sad because I want to have that wedding experience and I want to share my happiness with our fam and friends. So, rant aside, my question is this: <strong>Is it tacky to have a ceremony and no reception?</strong>??? Basically, post ceremony, everyone goes their own way? What other suggestions are there? I really want an experience that I will love and a memory that I can share with my children when they grow up. I also tried to convince Ken that we should go to Vegas....but he doesn't want to do that either cuz his dad got married in Vegas 3 times, all of which failed. UGH. Suggestions would be awesome!
Posted by FutureMrsCrymes[/QUOTE]
Yup. If you invite people to witness your ceremony, you MUST provide some sort of hospitality, even just cake and punch. It's non-negotiable.

Also, you should never ask anyone for money for your wedding. The only people obligated to pay for it are you and your FI.

Go over to the Budget Weddings board for some ideas on how to save money. The easiest thing to do would probably be to delay your honeymoon; many couples are doing that these days. Stay somewhere nice on your wedding night, and put off the cruise until your first anniversary.

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:15dbd33c-c63c-4c0a-94af-f58d9f2f7869">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Alternative options to save money : Yup. If you invite people to witness your ceremony, you MUST provide some sort of hospitality, even just cake and punch. It's non-negotiable.<strong> Also, you should never ask anyone for money for your wedding. The only people obligated to pay for it are you and your FI</strong>. Go over to the Budget Weddings board for some ideas on how to save money. The easiest thing to do would probably be to delay your honeymoon; many couples are doing that these days. Stay somewhere nice on your wedding night, and put off the cruise until your first anniversary.
Posted by aerinpegadrak[/QUOTE]

Our money situation is such that we can't afford to save. Mortgage, student loans and an out of state commute for me eat that up quick. We basically live check to check and it's a shame but it's the story of our life. We asked because we keep getting pressured about marriage etc (and our families know our financial situation) but it's like they don't get the fact that it's not gonna happen without money. Putting off the honeymoon isn't really going to save us a lot of money anyway because we've gotten a good deal on the cruise. Anyway, I'm not even stressing over that.

Thanks for the insight though.

[Deleted User] · August 2010

I agree. Don't do it, that would be extremely tacky and rude. If you want a wedding and know how much it will cost, I would definitely start setting up a wedding budget now and set aside money each month in order to reach your goal. You may even have to postpone your wedding a bit longer until you can save enough to have the wedding you want.

But there are definitely a lot of ways you can save money. And be careful of not following into the mindset of just bc someone else on this board is doing it, I gotta have it to. Some of it is just the wedding industry trying to make some money off of you when you could have done it differently or cheaper. I realized that about half way through our planning and then H said to me one day, you are making this into more than what it needs to be, we don't need all these extra things but can still have a nice wedding. And he was exactly right. You don't have to have things like menu cards, a bazillion favor, candy stations, photobooths stations, etc. Just a tip from someone who just went through all of it.

quotequeen · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:7f614c74-1f3f-4474-b0d4-35e9601f4886">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Alternative options to save money : Our money situation is such that we can't afford to save. Mortgage, student loans and an out of state commute for me eat that up quick. We basically live check to check and it's a shame but it's the story of our life. We asked because we keep getting pressured about marriage etc (and our families know our financial situation) but it's like they don't get the fact that it's not gonna happen without money. Putting off the honeymoon isn't really going to save us a lot of money anyway because we've gotten a good deal on the cruise. Anyway, I'm not even stressing over that. Thanks for the insight though.
Posted by FutureMrsCrymes[/QUOTE]

So how were you planning to pay back the loan then?

If you invite people to witness your ceremony you must receive them. If you don't want to do that, don't invite them.

Expecting people to travel from out of town and not even offering them a simple reception would be really awful.

aerinpegadrak · August 2010

If you have absolutely no way of setting aside ANY money for a wedding, even a few bucks a week, it should be the last thing on your mind. I know you really, really want the pretty princess day, but you have no means of paying for it. When you're living paycheck-to-paycheck, dropping a few grand on a four-hour party is just irresponsible. Sorry, sweetie, that's life and that's reality. Things don't always work out the way you want.

trix1223 · August 2010

The thing about being a grown up is that it's time to make responsible decisions and then live with the consequences of those decisions.

You can't afford to have a big PPD wedding? Then you don't have one. It's really that simple. You CAN have a wedding for under $100. You and your FI go to a courthouse and get married.

It all depends on what exactly is highest on your priority list. If it's being married: then to to a courthouse and get married.

If it's a PPD wedding, than push back the wedding date and start to save. You need to take an up close and personal look at where your money is going now. Often people who are living paycheck to paycheck are surprised to find that they are spending money that they don't need to. Are you eating out a couple times a week? Are you spending money on movies and/or other entertainment? Do you have a package beyond basic cable? Drop it. Or drop cable all together. What phones and/or phone plans are you carrying?

Heck, even if you're both just buying a cup of coffee each day: that's $10/week right there if you drop that.

And ditto to the pp who asked how you're planning to pay back his dad if you can't save any money at all now. Frankly, if you can't afford your bills and still manage to put a little something aside each month, you shouldn't even be considering a "traditional" wedding.

Courthouse. Or a ceremony followed by cake and punch in the church hall are the weddings you should be considering right now.

And no. You absolutely cannot ask people to spend time and money traveling to a wedding, getting a hotel room, perhaps purchasing new attire, and bringing a gift and then not at least acknowledge them after the ceremony with some sort of hospitality. People would talk about your wedding for years and years to come. But it wouldn't be in an positive tone of voice.

Sorry

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

Just so y'all know, this wasn't my idea. It was his. I don't know anyone who has gotten married so I don't know what's tacky and what's not. I felt that it was tacky but with the way things have changed over the years, I didn't know whether it was still considered tacky or not.

Paying back the loan is not going to be an issue. It's something that Ken was working out with his father using similar guidelines that he has used in the past with previous loans.

My question (and maybe I should have made this more clear) is what else can we do to make this wedding more affordable (i.e. $5000 range or so)?

Thanks....

mysticl · August 2010

If you hop over to budget weddings you will find some great ideas.

Ashes_3 · August 2010

A reception is mandatory - even if it is just cake and soda. You don't have to serve alcohol. Secondly, I don't see why your at 8000. My wedding is well under 4500. That includes our photographer *which we got a deal on*, our catering is 1500 *and we're making the sides*, we're buying cases of beer which is going to be 250.00 *we need variety*. Have been buying bottles of wine weekly. Serving soda, lemonade, cider, tea, sangria, beer and wine. Most of the decor we got a variety of ways. Some we got at Hobby Lobby and just decked it up ourselves. Our ceremony & reception hall are at the same location which cost us 900. So, I don't see why you couldn't do it under 8000.

quotequeen · August 2010

Paying back the loan is not going to be an issue. It's something that Ken was working out with his father using similar guidelines that he has used in the past with previous loans.

If you can set aside money to pay back a loan, you can set aside that same money in a savings account and use it to pay for the wedding in the first place.

danieliza1127 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:569f435e-e2ce-487f-a7c6-6ef1c29df13b">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE] My question (and maybe I should have made this more clear) is what else can we do to make this wedding more affordable (i.e. $5000 range or so)? Thanks....
Posted by FutureMrsCrymes[/QUOTE]

Some things we did to drastically lower our costs -

1) We used a grocery store florist instead of a typical wedding florist. The only flowers we had were the bouts and bouquets for us and the wedding party, corsages and bouts for our parents, and floral centerpieces on only half of the tables. Normally that would have cost about $1,000 but because we used a grocery store florist and I provided the vases we wanted to use, we only paid about $400. It would be even less if you had no floral centerpieces at all and used candles or something else.

2) Scale back on your photography package. You don't have to have the best package around.

3) Spend less on your dress and tuxes. I got my dress for less than $200 from David's Bridal. If you buy your dress from them, you can get the groom's tux free from Men's Wearhouse.

4) Don't have a big wedding party. The more bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, the more money YOU have to spend on gifts for them and lunches for them and things on the day of the wedding.

5) Scale back on your wedding cake. Instead of a fancy cake baker, look into Walmart or Sam's Club or your favorite grocery store. They all do wedding cakes and you can probably cut the costs down a lot. We got cheesecakes from Wal-mart and only spent $120 for 120 people.

6) Get the DIY invitation kits from Michaels or Target or anywhere for $50 instead of spending $400.
It's all about making smart choices and not assuming you have to use "wedding" florists or "wedding" bakers, etc. Also the venue you choose, the catering and bar you choose, will have the biggest impact on your budget.

Pics in bio of our wedding, so you can see it was still beautiful even though we cut a lot of costs out.

You might also check out the Budget Weddings board for even more ideas.

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:bed42646-5213-4c81-affa-1e72d1f1e538">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]A reception is mandatory - even if it is just cake and soda. You don't have to serve alcohol. Secondly, I don't see why your at 8000. My wedding is well under 4500. That includes our photographer *which we got a deal on*, our catering is 1500 *and we're making the sides*, we're buying cases of beer which is going to be 250.00 *we need variety*. Have been buying bottles of wine weekly. Serving soda, lemonade, cider, tea, sangria, beer and wine. Most of the decor we got a variety of ways. Some we got at Hobby Lobby and just decked it up ourselves. Our ceremony & reception hall are at the same location which cost us 900. So, I don't see why you couldn't do it under 8000.
Posted by Ashes_3[/QUOTE]

The venue that we have selected does not allow self catering so we cannot make our own food etc. The caterers are running about $20 to $30 a plate... Religion is a touchy issue for us so we aren't getting married in a church. So we need to find a venue that can house 100 people comfortably and still look nice. The venue (and this is the cheapest we've found) is $1950...Also, I'm NOT a crafty person....I've tried to be crafty and the results were a #fail. So I'm not even going to try that route. Lol.

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:3f3c1346-c869-4886-bf5b-f169ac20661c">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]Paying back the loan is not going to be an issue. It's something that Ken was working out with his father using similar guidelines that he has used in the past with previous loans. If you can set aside money to pay back a loan, you can set aside that same money in a savings account and use it to pay for the wedding in the first place.
Posted by quotequeen[/QUOTE]

Everyone's circumstance is different. The means to pay back the loan isn't an issue because of the specific arrangements that were being put into place.

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:4201deb6-fcac-4c43-9696-7cefe575b6ee">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Alternative options to save money : Some things we did to drastically lower our costs - 1) We used a grocery store florist instead of a typical wedding florist. The only flowers we had were the bouts and bouquets for us and the wedding party, corsages and bouts for our parents, and floral centerpieces on only half of the tables. Normally that would have cost about $1,000 but because we used a grocery store florist and I provided the vases we wanted to use, we only paid about $400. It would be even less if you had no floral centerpieces at all and used candles or something else. 2) Scale back on your photography package. You don't have to have the best package around. 3) Spend less on your dress and tuxes. I got my dress for less than $200 from David's Bridal. If you buy your dress from them, you can get the groom's tux free from Men's Wearhouse. 4) Don't have a big wedding party. The more bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, the more money YOU have to spend on gifts for them and lunches for them and things on the day of the wedding. 5) Scale back on your wedding cake. Instead of a fancy cake baker, look into Walmart or Sam's Club or your favorite grocery store. They all do wedding cakes and you can probably cut the costs down a lot. We got cheesecakes from Wal-mart and only spent $120 for 120 people. 6) Get the DIY invitation kits from Michaels or Target or anywhere for $50 instead of spending $400. It's all about making smart choices and not assuming you have to use "wedding" florists or "wedding" bakers, etc. Also the venue you choose, the catering and bar you choose, will have the biggest impact on your budget. Pics in bio of our wedding, so you can see it was still beautiful even though we cut a lot of costs out. You might also check out the Budget Weddings board for even more ideas.
Posted by danieliza1127[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't think about the grocery store florist though! Our friend is a GREAT photographer and he's doing our pix for $300. He's also throwing together an invitation for us and if it works, we're gonna DIY that. We're planning our cake to be cupcakes and that's gonna run about $250. My dress is going to be less than $250 but I don't know if Men's Warehouse will have something to fit the FI (He's more of a Casual Male XL kinda guy if you get my drift. Lol).

Like you said, the venue and catering are the biggest costs.....HUGE costs. We're having a dry event cuz I don't drink and we know that the costs of a bar are going to be ridiculous. The venue is running $1950 and the catering is running about $25 a plate. We're thinking of cutting the guest list down to 50 but we both have huge families and cutting the guest list means risking cutting people who we would really want to be there...especially since the list has already been dropped for 150. I'm not sure what else we can do to minimize the cost of the venue and catering....if we can minimize those costs, then this wedding will definitely be doable.

Thanks again!

tiffersnc · August 2010

You keep saying catering is running you $25/plate ... is that for a full dinner? You could always consider passed apps service only (with a non-meal time ceremony/reception) or a cake/dessert reception (again - non-meal time). That could help cut your F&B costs.

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:2a5188b4-4536-47be-9698-a29fce905c52">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]You keep saying catering is running you $25/plate ... is that for a full dinner? You could always consider passed apps service only (with a non-meal time ceremony/reception) or a cake/dessert reception (again - non-meal time). That could help cut your F&B costs.
Posted by tiffersnc[/QUOTE]

That's just for an entree/buffet style. I considered appetizers and dessert reception but FI doesn't want to do that. UGH. I keep trying to think out the box but FI doesn't like any of my suggestions <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cry.gif" border="0" alt="Cry" title="Cry" />

danieliza1127 · August 2010

It sounds like you need to consider finding a different venue if that is really the one thing you can't afford.

redheadfsu · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_alternative-options-save-money?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:38b13f8a-c5a0-46c7-8f5e-f516654c0b93Post:178caad4-de33-40b4-98ac-8823ead51c38">Re: Alternative options to save money</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Alternative options to save money : The venue that we have selected does not allow self catering so we cannot make our own food etc. The caterers are running about $20 to $30 a plate... Religion is a touchy issue for us so we aren't getting married in a church. So we need to find a venue that can house 100 people comfortably and still look nice. The venue (and this is the cheapest we've found) is $1950...Also, I'm NOT a crafty person....I've tried to be crafty and the results were a #fail. So I'm not even going to try that route. Lol.
Posted by FutureMrsCrymes[/QUOTE]

Problem is that that you don't have the money for that venue. You need to work within whatever budget you & your FI can afford. Time to start looking at parks, beaches, or a backyard BBQ. Or have a longer engagement. That's what I'm doing. We all have student loans & other money issues. Sorry.

hlschaff22 · August 2010

My brother is getting married in less than 6 weeks and he and his fiance are having a small ceremony in the park (free) and then a 'coffee and dessert' reception in the church hall, it's really cute and very them.

They're really trying to save money and focus more on the marriage than all the hooplah of wedding costs that will drive you into debt, hope this helps!

FutureMrsCrymes · August 2010

I think I will suggest to my FI that we change venues. We love this venue but it may have to be sacrificed. We may also go to the dessert reception idea...

As for a longer engagement, we've already been engaged for 2 years. I don't think a longer engagement is an option. Lol.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

NIKIKRUISE · August 2010

I dont understand how you even picked a venue when you don't know where the money is coming from...to be nice here...you need to sit down and look at what you can REALISTICALY afford to spend (not including loans from family members). Then you can proceed with planning.

GL

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · August 2010

What about a compromise? Instead of inviting 100 people, just invite 35 people. Or invite immediate family, have a ceremony, and then take them out to dinner.

trix1223 · August 2010

Mrs. Crymes: can you please shrink your "inner bride" siggy picture. It's huge!

RebeccaB88 · August 2010

If you've already booked the cruise (which I'm not sure how you could do if you don't have the money for it), can you get married on the cruise? Invite guests anyway, they might welcome an excuse for a vacation (they pay their own way). If they're planning on traveling to your wedding anyway, they get a nice vacation in the process. The cruise line should have nice packages for flowers, officiant, dinner, etc. You just bring your own dress and tux.

mel3119 · August 2010

Unfortunately, the first place to look at cutting is the guest list and that will have a trickle effect with the regards as to how you plan the rest of your wedding...cupcakes instead of wedding cake, seasonal flowers only, cocktail reception, etc...

awick14 · August 2010

A few more ideas for you:

1) our cupcakes are going to cost us less then $50 for about 120-130 people. If we make them our selves. It will cost you any where from $2-$5 per 24 cupcakes if you buy the cake mix packages. and you would only need 7 at most so $14-$35 (for 150). Thats not much at all. You can make your own icing with a recipe off the internet. supplies for that won't cost you much at all. Food color isn't that expensive and a little bit goes a long way.

2) we are having our reception at a local community hall. $900 for 2 days (fri-sat) so we can decorate our selves the day before. That way we can make our own food with the help of family and friends. you could do turkey the day before and just reheat. Turkey isn't that expensive. Just add mashed potatoes and sme veggies and you have a great meal. Inexpensive. Is going to cost us about $200-$300 (we have deals here where you spend over $250 on groceries around holidays you get a free turkey, so our family is going to do this with there normal groceries and it will help us out, or you can see if the store will give you a deal if you buy 3-4 at once)

3) don't do floral centerpieces. Use candles instead. Go to stores like micheals and use there coupon. (I know that you arn't a crafty person but it wouldn't take much to get some ribbon put it around the vase add some colored sand (or something) and place a candle in the vase.

4) use the grocery store florist we are doing this as well. (haven't done yet so not sure exactly how much this will save you, but it saved a friend about $1000)

5)if you have the hall the day before you can decorate yourselves. It wouldn't be hard to buy some tule and such and drape it around the area and in my opinion the weddings i have been at that decorate less usually looks better.

6) if you buy the invitation kits from micheals or another craft store they are easy to put together. You don't have to be that crafty.

7) If you have family in town you could always hand deliver the invitations, just make sure to do it at their homes when they do not have guests as you don't want to create any akward situations. This will save you on postage. Depending on your family you could ask them to RSVP by email or phone. (I know some people don't agree with this but it can save a little bit of money).

Hope some of these help you out a little bit. Our wedding is going to cost us an estimated $4000 with everything.

celswaim · August 2010

My fiance and I are getting married in three months- he just proposed two weeks ago.

OUr wedding is coming out to be less than $3,000. We are having a dessert reception for 110 people at a local upscale grille ($1,100). Invitations were designed by me and printed by Office Depot ($130). Photographer is a friend we are flying in who is doing everything for free ($400). Dress, ceremony decorations, flowers ordered from samsclub.com (making own centerpieces and bouquets), and everything else was done with the left over.

So, you can definitely have a BEAUTIFUL wedding for even under the $3,000. You have time, keep looking for awesome options, love

LuluP82 · August 2010

You need to find a venue that will let you self-cater, and star thinking outside the box...

How much do you have, or can you save in the period before the wedding? That's your budget.

After you figure that out, you can start planning a wedding you can afford. His father doesn't have to loan you the money...and you don't have to invite 100 ppl, even if they are family.

kalizoomba · August 2010

You have to have a reception! Make it a cake and punch only reception though. If possible, make your own cake/cupcakes or have a close friend do it. Cake mix isn't very expensive.
Don't go to the courthouse!!! If you haven't already gotten your dress, look towards white bridesmaids dresses (or it doesn't even have to be white). You could go to a department store and buy a white casual dress. Let the groom wear something he already has.

If you have an outdoor wedding, it would save on decorations. September is a beautiful time of year. For location, have it in a public park, or in your backyard.

Have friends take your photos then print them from http://www.mpix.com

if you need more money saving ideas, send me an email at kalizoomba@hotmail.com I'm trying to cut my wedding budget down from $2000 to at most $1000.

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