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MelB
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 31
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 Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:37 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| We want to have a wedding for $5000-$7000 (or less... we don't want to spend as much as we thought we did for one day when we can put that money towards our house...) We are inviting 138 guests and we have decided to limit our reception back a few hours so that we will only be paying for four hours of photography and 6 hours for the venue (1 before to get ready and have everything set up and one after for clean up). We just really want to cut back our budget. Does anyone have any suggestions or a budget we could follow? |
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Melissa
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:49 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| Well, you could just make a list of all the things YOU feel you need, and then the max price you're willing to pay. For example, would it be better to get a caterer or go to sam's club and buy food? Would it be better to host a formal party or more casual--which will determine the price of your dress, venue and decor. Would it be better to have a DJ or band, or pay a teenager you know $40 to feed party song cds into the cd player and maybe emcee some karaoke? It's all about what YOU think you need.Good luck and congrats! |
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melouofs7155
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:01 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| That's really low, but I would suggest cutting out some luxury's like the limo, extra flowers, getting a cake from cosco or supermarket, they do decent wedding cakes, make a list of what you need need and don't have anything else |
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mellowyellow
Joined: 27 Dec 2007
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:13 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| I tell you what i'm actually having the WEDDING OF MY DREAMS and it's only costing us about 4500. That's including my dress. Not including the honeymoon. I made all my decorations myself. That cut back on a lot of cost. I did all the invites/save the date/ response cards/ programs by myself on my home printer and they look amazing. It's a lot of work but it's worth it since we've saved so much money. I got a lot of stuff from ebay. Plus check out these siteswww.annsbridalbargains.comwww.craftsetc.comwww.efavormart.comwww.ebride.comGood luck and congrats!!Go to craigslist. I found entertainment there for only 375 vs the 900 i found a dj for elsewhere. I'm having a family member do the pictures. We're having a cheaper reception. More of a luncheon but it's still going to be fun. |
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MelissaC
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:25 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| here are couple of sites that will help with invitations and other stuuf. thenmost money u will spend is on the venue, dress,photographer and food, all other things u can see on theses sites are not expensiveinvitationsbydawn.commarilynskeepsakes.comannsbridalbargains.commyjeanm.comtheamericanwedding.comrexcraft.comgood luck. i love these sites im using thme for myu wedding $6000 budget |
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melouofs3127
Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:37 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| http://theknot.com/Use the budget calculator at the Knot. Plug an amount you can comfortably afford (say $6000 for example) into the calculator. It will tell you what percentage should be spent on each item.A bride may not want or need everything mentioned at the Knot, but it is a good place to start. And read the budget brides bio:http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/page.aspx?username=BudgetBridesBio |
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MelD
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 31
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| Write a list of things that are important to you. What do you absolutely have to have on your wedding day? What can you absolutely live without? When you go to other weddings, what type of items seem like a waste of money to you?Make a list and figure out what you can eliminate or do without. Also, look at what you do want and see if you can DIY anything or get bargains. If you need centerpieces, make your own. Flowers centerpieces are overrated for the reception. I would prefer candles. Candles are a lot less expensive. So, that's a money saver right there.There really is no budget you can follow. TheKnot.com has a budget worksheet, but it includes a lot of unnecessary (and money wasting) stuff. |
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MelB7952
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| Providing a sit down (or buffet style )dinner for your guests plus alcohol will run your budget through the roof. Consider alternatives such as brunch, or a luncheon if you host an afternoon reception and serve finger type foods it not be as expensive. Some couples have also gone the cake and punch only way. This is really the most economical way to host a reception, but not very popular. It can be viewed as cheap, which obviously you don't want. But you could provide a tasteful brunch or luncheon for your guests that is more economical but doesn't appear cheap. Plus many venues don't charge as much during the day because it is not a "peak time" i.e. Friday or Saturday night. Best wishes to both of you! Have fun planning your wedding. |
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melouofs4912
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| Wow That is a large budget for a wedding with of 138 guest. My husband and i only spent 800.00 dollars on our wedding and it was great. 1. make your own flower arrangements,you will save big time on them by getting the flowers at wal-mart or heb. 2.buy disposable cameras and put out on tables so guest can take photos during reception. You can get allot a great shots that pros,wont get.3.Garden Weddings are beautiful and if you know someone who has the room for a outdoor wedding that will let you have the ceremony and or reception , You save on venue.My Husband and i got married at my dads under the same oak tree as 3 other sisters and 1 brother.4. FOOD: have BBQ or pick meat of choice and have guest bring covered dish. That way no giant catering bill.5. Get family or friends to help with set up and clean up so you save on hiring someone to do it. |
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Meliviadsidly
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Belize
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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Don't listen to the person who said it's really a low amount and you need to cut the limo and flowers and get a cake at a grocery store... For $5,000 you can have all of it if you are a DIY bride throughout the wedding... We are having a gorgeous wedding, my dream wedding AND having a stretched Cadillac Escalade limo to boot...and we aren't even spending $5,000.I say don't just jump at the first thing you see and like... do a little research on it, make sure its what you really want and look around to find it cheaper. The internet is a great tool.You can buy DIY invitation kits and either print them yourself or take them to Staples to be done reasonably... You can buy your flowers at Sams or Costcos for great prices and do the bouquets and such yourself. Are you looking for a high end wedding or a casual style one? American Legions rent for $250. You can find DJ's on Craigslist relatively inexpensive if you don't want to do the music yourself. OrientalTrading and eBay have a lot of decorations, eBay is also great for wedding gowns. I feel like I'm dropping this at the end of a thought but I just got completely distracted lol. It is completely possible though if you just put a little work into it  Congrats! |
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melouofs9593
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| You could take a cruise to the Bahamas, get married on the island, and cruise back to the states. Each guests pays their own cruise fare! All you provide depends on the package you choose! There are so many things to do at every port that you stop at, everyone will LOVE IT!. Not to mention the fabulous nightlife on the ships!! This option can be a great money-saver!! I would be happy to help if you would like more information. My link is below. |
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Melancholyblues
Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: Wedding on a budget help...? |
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| my budget was 5000, and we ended up spending less than that.we got married in my mom's gorgeous gardenmy sister in law did my hair and makeup my brother in law was in charge of playing cdsa friend of my moms made the cakea friend of my sisters made the most incredible bouquets i ever could have imagined (she had a budget of $500 for the flowers)i handmade all my party favorsmom, sis and i made all the invitesmy two aunts who are amazing cooks did ALL the cooking (we had a cold luncheon, i had people tell me it was the best wedding food they'd ever had)their husbands did all the grilling of salmon and chicken beforehandmy mom hired two younger girls that worked at her office to serve drinks and hors d'ouevres. (they got paid but minimally and were thrilled because they wanted to be voyeurs!) a good friend of mine is a great photographer so i bartered with her and trusted her and you know what, she took beautiful pictures because she knows what i like.my bridesmaids, sister and my brother helped me make decorations, we laughed so hard all afternoon! |
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