Cutting costs of a wedding

[cru5h]

How are you/did you/can you cut costs for the wedding? Share your tips.

[breezy]

I purchased my dress and alot of other items online!

We found (actually stumbled upon) the perfect solid lt blue satin fabric for $1 a yard and snatched that up!!

An outdoor wedding ceremony.

Not getting hung up on the reception site really ended up saving us a ton. A family friend lives in a condo complex with a large enough community center. (total cost $75 with a $100 refundable deposit)

Using Michaels 40% off coupon in the weekly paper.

Joining Joann's to get weekly flyers with coupons and sales info.

Shopping $ stores.

Checking out after holiday sales for items.

Getting cake through a grocery store.

DIY, centerpieces, invites and reception set up.

[cru5h]

We are scaling down our guest list to the bare minimum of friends and family, and scaling it down again for after the ceremony when we go to dinner (instead of a full-on reception).

We chose a location that was free (the beach).

Bought a linen sundress instead of a gown which would have ended up ruined and dragged through the sand.

when we were planning to have a reception, I was planning to do most of it myself.

- other tips -
If your wedding is close to a holiday and you're planning on incorporating that holiday or holiday's colors in your wedding, shop for items after the holiday is over for the discount.

Check the clearance at Target and Yankee Candle for candle decor and centerpieces.

Check the prom dress rack after prom's done with for yours or your bridesmaid's dresses.

Ask a recently married friend for leftovers.

[555Ann555]

I bought an ivory BM dress instead of a bridal gown! I saved big style on that.

We went for a small hotel for the reception, it isn't very cheap but it has saved us money because we have a lot less guests than we would have had at a bigger place that charged less ppn. It works out cheaper in the long run.

We've got a family friend making the cake (she is good though!)

We've had the FG dresses made by my mum (she's a seamstress to trade)

I've had my cloak/underskirt/veil made by my mum.

I bought the MOH's dress online. It's a black evening dress rather than one from a bridal shop.

What else? I booked our band at a wedding fair & got a discount.

I booked our Master Of Ceremonies at the wedding fair because I'd met him at another wedding & he did a great job, I think I got the discount from him coz I sucked up about how good he was

The soloist singing is a friend of my FMIL.

The photographer gave me a discount because I had done a lot of research & knew exactly what I wanted. He appreciated having someone to work with who knew exactly what they liked He's giving me the bigger package for the price of the smaller one!

I bought my tiara at a wedding fair & it was a bargin.
I bought my necklace & earings at Marks & Spencers for £10!

I made all the invitations/favours/order of service cards.

I've hired the black limos from a funeral company. I'm really pleased with them They're very clean & well maintained & the staff that drive them are perfect, they have to be because the deal with mourners all day. They said it makes a lovely change to drive happy people to a wedding instead! I think I saved about £100 per car that way.

We got free insurance, free conective flights & and upgrade on our hotel with our honeymoon. I think it was partly because we booked it off season, when the travel agent was quite quiet so had to work a bit harder for business.

I'm trying to think how else we've saved...

[ladedah]

The best way I saved money was by having a longer engagement...this way I had the time to shop around and wait for sales and clearance...also shopping on the internet was a huge plus.

I also saved money from using my networking resources. For example, we have a friend of the family whose father was a retired florist. He called a friend and we got to purchase our flowers wholesale and he is doing the arrangements for free. I get to have 1000 stems of tulips arranged into centerpieces, bouquets, corsages, etc....and it's costing me $400.00 same way with our cake, a friend of ours has a lady that she attends church with that does it in her spare time, but it's kind of a referral only thing...1.29 per slice...when the best I could find was 2.19.

[syringa]

Easter is a great time to find flower girl dresses. There are many cute styles and they will be on sale in the next few days.

[sparklesweetie]

Originally Posted by 555Ann555

I've hired the black limos from a funeral company. I'm really pleased with them They're very clean & well maintained & the staff that drive them are perfect, they have to be because the deal with mourners all day. They said it makes a lovely change to drive happy people to a wedding instead! I think I saved about £100 per car that way.

I would have never thought of that! It sounds like something I should look into though....good one Ann.

[Kim&Bob2004]

I bought my dress used, and saved a coupon for the wonderful cleaners I use to have before moving to WA. So they did my dress cleaning for about 75 verses the 150 it could have cost me. (I trusted these cleaners with everything!)

We ordered our invites, cake boxes and napkins on-line.

We did everything with regards to food for the reception our selves. Costco and Cash and Carry provided a lot too (plates, silver ware, dinner napkins...). I shopped at each and compared prices for things needed. Cash and Carry had salads at a good deal.

I used Micheal's and Joann's coupons whenever they came out.

Mom made my veil, I bought my shoes at Payless Shoes (under $25), and most of my underthings at Ave and Catherine's (stores that sell large size clothing--like 14 and up) with coupons.

Our pictures were done by friends (one of which is a very good amateur who is award winning). Done as gifts....

Our Cake was a gift from my mom's maid of honor (at my parents wedding 35 yrs before). You all have seen pictures, I thought it looked very professional...... she is a retired school teacher and starting a cake decorating business in the Cossbay area in Oregon.

I wore Bob's mom's pearl necklace and bought for very reasonable a pair of pearl earrings for my ears.

The material for the bridal attendants, I hate to say this, was $2 a yd on clearance. I bought all they had, at wally world. Flower girl dresses we bought with a Joann's coupon.

Our flowers were silk and real, a mixture that worked out very well I think. We used herbs too which gave the church a wonderful scent, or so I am told, I don't remember! We used queens anne lace too which I experimented with how long ahead we could pick it and still have it last. That was free for the taking on the sides of roads (I think it was three -four days). We also used thistles which were free for the taking along side the roads. And the day before the wedding I was driving along to get gas at costco and seen a gym with these huge hydrangea bushes going to waste and ran in and asked if I could take a few for my wedding the next day and they said, take all you want. So I gathered up several stems. They were dried for us and we still have a few of them!

I am sure there were many other things we did to cut costs...... Bob said just getting married after the first of Oct saved us big money on the honeymoon!

[SuzyBride]

Check dollar stores!

Do as much as you can yourself!

Don't be too picky with flowers. The florists know what looks good and can usually do it for cheaper than if you insisted on something specific.

Have a heavy appetizer reception instead of sit down. And if you can buy the food from somewhere like Sam's Club yourself and get someone to get it ready for you. I fed around 150-200 until full (and had a ton of left overs) for around $400 and it tasted great.

Print your own invitations and programs.

Check after prom for bridesmaid dresses. Check after Easter for flowergirl dresses.

Get a white/ivory bridesmaid dress instead of a "bridal gown".

Get a local seamstress to make the bridesmaid dresses if all your attendants live close enough. Watch for sales on fabric at Hancocks, Hobby Lobby, and Wal Mart.

Make your bouquet with fake flowers instead.

Buy cheap stuff (flower girl basket, guest book, etc) and dress them up with your own ideas. I found a personalized guest book with embroidered initials online for $75, but I made it for about $20!

Borrow stuff from friends/family who have recently gotten married.

Always, always, ALWAYS price things online before buying them!!!

[sparklesweetie]

Originally Posted by SuzyBride

Have a heavy appetizer reception instead of sit down. And if you can buy the food from somewhere like Sam's Club yourself and get someone to get it ready for you. I fed around 150-200 until full (and had a ton of left overs) for around $400 and it tasted great.

Can you please, please, please tell me what you did/bought? I promise I will kiss the ground you walk on...at least for a little while.

[whiddle]

I had a lunch reception instead of dinner.

I made my own invites, programs, and thank-you's.

[SuzyBride]

Well, I know I am going to leave some stuff out.. Lets see..

meatballs in the regular sauce
meatballs with alfredo sauce
lil smokies
tons of chicken salad crossant sandwiches
tuna salad
chicken salad
a huge thing of seven layer bean dip
fruit: strawberries, grapes, melon, kiwi with fruit dip
salted pecans and other nuts
olives
finger sandwiches
orange balls
crab dip
a huge variety of crackers and chips
huge variety of different kinds of dips
different kinds of cheese squares
pigs in a blanket

The guy that did our food for us spent about $250 on food and charged $150 service charge for getting it all ready. And we served buffet style on my mothers, his mothers, and our grandmothers silver stuff, so it looked really nice and not just thrown together:http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/suzyan...7a.jpg&.src=ph

If I think of more I'll be back!

[fallbride]

The biggest savings that we have is that our wedding is on a Sunday.

[Steven Galvez]

Cheryl was able to find inexpensive bridesmaids dresses for her sister's 2003 wedding at a local outlet in Brooklyn (she didn't say that she was from a wedding website so it wasn't a trade courtesy). There were 7 bridesmaids in the party and Cheryl found 7 dresses that matched the color my sister-in-law wanted. However, they were in different styles and sizes and who knows if they would have fit the bridesmaids, but they were only $10 each. Then the manager said he might as well throw in the remaining 3 dresses left in the same color for an additional $5 (for all three), a total of $75.00 for ten dresses. The dresses were from the season before, but they still looked great, especially at that price.

Since the bridesmaids all lived in Houston and the outlet was in Brooklyn, there was no way to see if the dresses would even fit the girls. She called the bride then and there and the bride told her to buy them all and take the chance (no returns allowed). Hopefully seven would fit, especially with alterations. Miraculously, all seven bridesmaids were able to pick out a dress that fit them perfectly, without needing alterations. We still can't believe we found these amazing dresses for $7.50 each.

Below is the only picture I could find of the dresses (Cheryl took this during prep):



The store was a separate outlet for a store called Flowerama (if I recall correctly) and they were in Brooklyn. But you should also check out the outlet stores in your area. Hope this helps the bridesmaids save money...

[ljeagle]

^ ^ What a deal!

Lets see what I have did to save money!

Did my own STD (Save The Dates)

Printed my own RSVP and Information cards

Family doing the food

I found servers at my sister college and they are not charging a arm and leg

My mother made all the dress and I got the fabric with the 40% and 50% off coupons from Joann's

Friends are doing the music

My mother and Aunt and my self is doing all the decor

Oh and don't forget EBAY!

[swtdl11552]

Wow - I don't really know yet. I'm getting there though. I'll likely be making the centerpieces / favors myself & will be best friends with the staff at Michaels (after using the infmaous 40% off coupons each week...I'll collect them from all family members every sunday ).

We are also using the house florist/dj/photographer from the reception site, that way we dont have to pay for their meals, a nice little extra that the site offers.


I'm still scatterbrained & not set on colors/theme, so I'm not positive what we're going with - this is just a basic idea of what I'll be doing.

[555Ann555]

I'm really impressed with everyone for saving money so well!

A few of my friends went over board when they got married, so it's lovely to see people not falling into the same trap

[Complicated Woman]

My father's girlfriend used to own a florists shop and was a hair stylist for a while, so she's helping with my flowers (silks) and my hair.

My aunt is helping with my makeup, she was a professional cosmotologist before she had her kids.

Printing my own invites will save a lot of money -- though I've been tempted not to, I do have beautiful ones that look very expensive and can be done for about $75 for 50.

I have a friend who offered to play her flute for my ceremony as a wedding present. She is an amazing flautist with a masters in music, so this is a very valuable gift!

We're having our reception in an "off" month on an "off" day -- this is saving us thousands of dollars!

I bought my dress during the David's Bridal big sale -- and saved $100.

Instead of buying an expensive veil, I've purchased one from a craft store and added some pearls and crystals -- total cost was about $22. It looks just as pretty.

I'm also making my tiara instead of purchasing one. The one I liked was $81 before shipping and tax -- not terrible -- but I'm making a copy and it's turning out really well for about $25.

Bought the flower girl's dress off of the Easter dress rack at Wal-mart. It's really very beautiful and it was only $15.

Went to a Bridal Expo and locked in some savings on tux packages by registering early with them on the spot. Free tux for Tom (no big deal), discounts for all the groomsmen, and a discount accessory package for the groom.

Comparison shopping online is helping a lot, too.

[breezy]

Originally Posted by 555Ann555

I'm really impressed with everyone for saving money so well!

A few of my friends went over board when they got married, so it's lovely to see people not falling into the same trap

We are getting married where my parents live. Alot of my parents friends have spend $50,000^ for their childrens wedding. I know a at lest 2 that spend more that that.

It looks like we are going to be comming in well below $10,000 and we aren't skimping on the things we want. We are however being creative.

I am debating on hiring servers to heat and serve the food, vs the caterer we are considering. Right now that looks like it's going to be our biggest expense.

[deputysgurl]

I wore my MIL dress

My Grandmother In law made all the girls dresses and table cloth for the guestbook table

My MIL, Myself and Aunt IL did all the decor.

We had heavy appitizers (only spent 250)

My aunt took all the pics, and most of them look professional.

My cake was made by a friend

A friend decorated the reception hall

The reception hall was free

Matt had a coupon for our wedding bands

that is all I can think of right now.

[maroki13]

I agree with cru5h that cutting the guest list is a way to save a lot of money. Our is down to 150, but the bigger the guest list gets, the more money you have to spend; not only on food, but on invitations, favors, decorations...anything that is based on numbers.

I've saved a lot of money by buying things in bulk.

Not serving alcohol at the reception.

Using the chapel at the university where we graduated...since we are affiliated with the school, it is super cheap to use.

Using a wholesale florist market or a grocery store florist to do flowers if you want fresh flowers...they do much more business than florist shops and have more affordable prices.

Not wasting supplies; using leftover ribbon from STDs for our programs.

Doing all of the labor for centerpieces, favors, card box, guestbook, decorations, etc. ourselves.

Having our reception at an 'off' time of the day so we don't have to serve as much food.

[Mrs.Levitt]

We are doing alot of DIY stuff. (invites, flowers, centerpieces, card box, stickers for envelopes, pew bows, ect.) We got alot of items online and on ebay. (Flower girl dresses ( his daughters) ring bearer suit (my son), wedding cameras for each table, ring pillow, guest book, baskets, ect) We got our cake from a local mom and pop shop for $250. Got an all inclusive kind of hotel/reception deal where we dont have a room rental fee, its a flat fee used for all the food and liquor we wish, also get a limo, ice sculpture and reduced rooms, also a gift opening room and brunch for 20 the day after.

[feb-bride]

My wedding was over four years ago, but here's what immediately comes to mind:

Used silk flowers instead of fresh; my grandmother made all of the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages

DIY centerpieces, favors, and place cards

Used a photographer that gave us proofs and negatives; we were able to make our own copies/enlargements

Step-mom made the bridesmaid dresses

Mom made my veil and the flower girl dress

Bought all of the shoes at Payless Shoe Source

Used a parks/rec hall for the reception; DIY decorating

Got a GREAT deal on the catering (the company who operated our work cafeteria catered for $10 per person - marinated chicken breasts, rice pilaf, mixed veggies, salad, rolls/butter)

Purchased the cake from a grocery store bakery ($1.00 per slice!)

Used eBay for a lot of the DIY materials

Used JoAnn coupons for the dress fabric

Supplied our own liquor, sodas, and water; saved money by shopping the weekly store ads

[Steph]

Originally Posted by steven_g

We still can't believe we found these amazing dresses for $7.50 each.

Below is the only picture I could find of the dresses (Cheryl took this during prep):



The store was a separate outlet for a store called Flowerama (if I recall correctly) and they were in Brooklyn. But you should also check out the outlet stores in your area. Hope this helps the bridesmaids save money...

I can't believe they were $7.50!!!

[Navywife723]

Since we were married when my hubby was on leave we had a really tight budget (we're talking $1,000).
SO here's what we did:

Outdoor ceremony~held on my parents farm
Reception Dinner was potluck, everyone brought a dish or two
Made our centerpieces (my mom and I owned a floral shoppe)
Made my own bouquets ('')
Family friend was the DJ
Family member took the pics
My Mom made the wedding cake (mom is a cake decorater)
Wedding Dress was a family heirloom so I only had to pay for the alterations
Bridesmaids bought their own outfits (grass skirts and tank tops)

That's all that is coming to mind right now....