Steffany08 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 So me and my now fiance have choosen to get married October 23rd 2010. I was just wondering if there are any things I can maybe do myself or live without for the wedding since we are on a very limited budget. and also some cheaper ideas for a ceremony or reception venue. Thank you Link to post Share on other sites
Thaddeus Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Your local Justice of the Peace will be able to perform a marriage ceremony for a very nominal fee, something like $100 (depending on where you live). Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Well to save money in the meantime you can cut back on the "going out." Instead of going out for a big dinner make a nice romantic meal at home. Instead of going to the movie theater, rent a movie. You can't imagine how much money you will save that way. As far as venues go, have you started looking anywhere? I know you said you set your date already but are you willing to be flexible? My fiance and I had a date set but we had to change it because the venues were booked up. You'd think a year in advance there would be plenty of places open but NOOOOOO. You have no idea how fast places go (the popular ones). What kind of wedding did you want to have? A small intimate thing? A hotel ballroom? Backyard barbeque? My suggestion would be to think about what kind of wedding you want to have and then look at venues. And there are LOTS of ways to save money on a wedding once you pick a venue! Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 We're having a justice of the peace to marry us, and he only accepts donations. I'll probably give him $100 and insist on feeding him and his wife if he chooses to bring her. State parks are usually cheaper for weddings than actual venues. Mine is absofreakinglutely gorgeous and I'm paying $700 for ceremony and reception. Also, if you're having a smaller wedding, skip the DJ and go for an Ipod and a good friend. Also, because I picked a location that doesn't need decorations besides small things, I'm saving a ton of money from not having to buy flowers for a 15 minute ceremony! Don't be afraid to look for your dress early, but do make sure that you're in a size that you're comfortable with yourself and don't plan on changing between now and the wedding. Either that, or make sure the dress you pick is going to be easy to alter. My dress was originally close to $1000, but I got it for $549. Ebay. A lot of things are cheaper on there. Since my wedding is outside I plan on having rose petals lining down the side of the aisle. I can get 1000 rose petals for $12 on ebay. And that helps. Also, cut out things you don't need. You don't necessarily have to go out every week, so cut that down to once every 2 weeks, or every month. Start drinking more water(it's healthier than soda, and when it comes from the tap it's free!), and pack your lunch to work. If you cut out the tiny things you might not think it makes a difference, but over the long run you'll defiantly see an improvement! Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 We're having a justice of the peace to marry us, and he only accepts donations. I'll probably give him $100 and insist on feeding him and his wife if he chooses to bring her. State parks are usually cheaper for weddings than actual venues. Mine is absofreakinglutely gorgeous and I'm paying $700 for ceremony and reception. Also, if you're having a smaller wedding, skip the DJ and go for an Ipod and a good friend. Also, because I picked a location that doesn't need decorations besides small things, I'm saving a ton of money from not having to buy flowers for a 15 minute ceremony! Don't be afraid to look for your dress early, but do make sure that you're in a size that you're comfortable with yourself and don't plan on changing between now and the wedding. Either that, or make sure the dress you pick is going to be easy to alter. My dress was originally close to $1000, but I got it for $549. Ebay. A lot of things are cheaper on there. Since my wedding is outside I plan on having rose petals lining down the side of the aisle. I can get 1000 rose petals for $12 on ebay. And that helps. Also, cut out things you don't need. You don't necessarily have to go out every week, so cut that down to once every 2 weeks, or every month. Start drinking more water(it's healthier than soda, and when it comes from the tap it's free!), and pack your lunch to work. If you cut out the tiny things you might not think it makes a difference, but over the long run you'll defiantly see an improvement! These are excellent suggestions, especially the ones about cutting down on extra expenses. The lunch packing thing is KEY, my fiance used to spend like $10 per day at his work's cafeteria! I started packing his lunch for him everyday and you can't even believe how much money we saved! We also started shopping at Sam's Club (it's a discount, buy in bulk store) and saved a lot of money that way, especially since my fiance eats a ton of food (he is a hardcore body builder). There are lots of ways to save money, people just dont realize it! Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 These are excellent suggestions, especially the ones about cutting down on extra expenses. The lunch packing thing is KEY, my fiance used to spend like $10 per day at his work's cafeteria! I started packing his lunch for him everyday and you can't even believe how much money we saved! We also started shopping at Sam's Club (it's a discount, buy in bulk store) and saved a lot of money that way, especially since my fiance eats a ton of food (he is a hardcore body builder). There are lots of ways to save money, people just dont realize it! I'm doing skittles as my wedding favors and I found a box at sams club with like 30 packages of them(not snack sized either) for $17! There are tons of ways to cut costs on weddings if you're willing to look for them, and of course, be broke enough to need to use them! lol. The one thing I would not cut costs on is photography, however. One of the girls I work with just got married and she thought she was getting this great deal on photography, but instead we're all appalled at the quality of the pictures. I would seriously be DEMANDING my money back from this person. My photographer is costing me almost $2000, but he's givng me a full day with him and his wife both taking pictures, a ton of pictures included in my package and 3 cds with every single picture he took on them. So in terms of that, you get what you pay for. Some people will argue this, but for me it's moot point. My pictures are the most important part of my day because they are forever, just like him and I. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Steffany08 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 We're having a justice of the peace to marry us, and he only accepts donations. I'll probably give him $100 and insist on feeding him and his wife if he chooses to bring her. State parks are usually cheaper for weddings than actual venues. Mine is absofreakinglutely gorgeous and I'm paying $700 for ceremony and reception. Also, if you're having a smaller wedding, skip the DJ and go for an Ipod and a good friend. Also, because I picked a location that doesn't need decorations besides small things, I'm saving a ton of money from not having to buy flowers for a 15 minute ceremony! Don't be afraid to look for your dress early, but do make sure that you're in a size that you're comfortable with yourself and don't plan on changing between now and the wedding. Either that, or make sure the dress you pick is going to be easy to alter. My dress was originally close to $1000, but I got it for $549. Ebay. A lot of things are cheaper on there. Since my wedding is outside I plan on having rose petals lining down the side of the aisle. I can get 1000 rose petals for $12 on ebay. And that helps. Also, cut out things you don't need. You don't necessarily have to go out every week, so cut that down to once every 2 weeks, or every month. Start drinking more water(it's healthier than soda, and when it comes from the tap it's free!), and pack your lunch to work. If you cut out the tiny things you might not think it makes a difference, but over the long run you'll defiantly see an improvement! Wow thank you, I actually found a hotel that does the liniens food drink DJ dance floor centerpieces table place cards for $68 a head which I dont think is bad because we have about 30 people coming. I would really like to have a backyard wedding but I dont know anyone with a yard lol. but there is a spanish monistary botanical garden I was looking at that will be $700 for the ceremony and all I need are chairs and a bouquet, my best guy friend is going to play his guitar for free as I walk down the isle. beautiful area. tyhe first thing i found was my dress it $400. I wish I could find a place down here in florida that I can have the ceremony and reception at the same place for a good price but I honestly dont know how to look, Link to post Share on other sites
Author Steffany08 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 thank you all Link to post Share on other sites
Author Steffany08 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Well to save money in the meantime you can cut back on the "going out." Instead of going out for a big dinner make a nice romantic meal at home. Instead of going to the movie theater, rent a movie. You can't imagine how much money you will save that way. As far as venues go, have you started looking anywhere? I know you said you set your date already but are you willing to be flexible? My fiance and I had a date set but we had to change it because the venues were booked up. You'd think a year in advance there would be plenty of places open but NOOOOOO. You have no idea how fast places go (the popular ones). What kind of wedding did you want to have? A small intimate thing? A hotel ballroom? Backyard barbeque? My suggestion would be to think about what kind of wedding you want to have and then look at venues. And there are LOTS of ways to save money on a wedding once you pick a venue! does anyone know the laws and such if i wanted to get married in a park and just set up a tent/canpoy to eat under? Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Wow thank you, I actually found a hotel that does the liniens food drink DJ dance floor centerpieces table place cards for $68 a head which I dont think is bad because we have about 30 people coming. I would really like to have a backyard wedding but I dont know anyone with a yard lol. but there is a spanish monistary botanical garden I was looking at that will be $700 for the ceremony and all I need are chairs and a bouquet, my best guy friend is going to play his guitar for free as I walk down the isle. beautiful area. tyhe first thing i found was my dress it $400. I wish I could find a place down here in florida that I can have the ceremony and reception at the same place for a good price but I honestly dont know how to look, You should call that hotel and find out the details on that because a lot of places have a headcount minimum. If you make that minimum or if they don't have one at all then the hotel might not be a bad idea at all. Go on theknot.com and look at their local vendors section. They should have a list of ceremony and reception sites, and some even have discounts for finding them through the knot! I know my photographer has a 10% discount because of that. And every little bit helps. Google is a great companion as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 does anyone know the laws and such if i wanted to get married in a park and just set up a tent/canpoy to eat under? Just contact the park that you want to have your shindig at. Lots of people have park weddings here, and they're really cheap, too! My ex's brother got married in our community park and they only charged $150 for ceremony and reception, and the whole thing was gorgeous! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Steffany08 Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 You should call that hotel and find out the details on that because a lot of places have a headcount minimum. If you make that minimum or if they don't have one at all then the hotel might not be a bad idea at all. Go on theknot.com and look at their local vendors section. They should have a list of ceremony and reception sites, and some even have discounts for finding them through the knot! I know my photographer has a 10% discount because of that. And every little bit helps. Google is a great companion as well. Im going to theknot right now thanks umm the site for the hotels catering thingy is http://www.esmiamicatering.com/ just go there click the weddings tab then menus and then deluxe Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Im going to theknot right now thanks umm the site for the hotels catering thingy is http://www.esmiamicatering.com/ just go there click the weddings tab then menus and then deluxe I looked at it and right under the price per person it says it's based on a 50 person minimum. So it looks like you'd have to have at least 50 people there to get that. Plus, that's only for your reception hall. Where are you thinking about hosting your actual ceremony? Wherever it is you should probably try and get them in close proximity to one another that way people aren't traveling all over town to get to both places. Link to post Share on other sites
nelsonclassic Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Hello friend, Well it will depend on what kind of wedding you prefer,the cheapest one will be in court and then invite some friends and family and celebrate it..or if you want to do something different,then you can limit your guest list,limit varieties in your food arrangement,decorations.. You can also celebrate your wedding in any outdoor venue like Beach Wedding..There you don't have to pay more for venue and arrangements like decoration... All The Best !! Regards, Nelson Beach Wedding Attire Link to post Share on other sites
Stroon Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 well, congrats! when my H and i got married, we had a civil ceremony which saved us about £400. we also booked a 4pm ceremony so we didnt have to bother with the sit down meal part, instead we all went straight to the reception afterwards. if you have the wedding late in the day, most people will have had lunch beforehand so a big supply of food is not really needed. the reception was at a local pub which had a nice garden (luckily the weather was nice) and a function room which was free, the only thing we had to pay for was the buffet and DJ. Most reception venues will charge you for food per person, but shop around and hopefully you'll find a place which will simply provide food to suit your budget. I made my own jewelry for the day, i made my necklace, earrings and tiara. it might sound difficult but it was really easy. i had no experience, i just looked in a few books, and this way you'll have something totally unique that you can make just as you want and to match your clothes. If you're not craft-minded, look on ebay for these things, you'll save 100's of dollars/pounds if you do your jewelry either way. I also made my bouquet, my mum grew some flowers and on the day we just made a little posy and cost next to nothing. I was also lucky as my mum made my dress so that didnt cost me anything either, and again, i ended up with something unique. there are lots of places which sell 2nd hand wedding dresses which can be altered majorly to give you the perfect dress for a fraction of the cost. good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
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