Any help for a low budget Wedding?

Question

I am planning a wedding for next year around September or October, but I really do not have a big budget. How can I achieve the wedding I have in my mind on a budget?

Does anyone have some books or a website that will be able to help me out? Or any other tips for that matter?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

wedding coupons - http://www.topweddingsites.com/coupons/i...

Answer 2

My best advice to you is pick your time wisely. September or October is a popular time for weddings, so you might not find the best deals for a small budget.

I've done lots of venue research and I got venue/catering quotes for the "off season" of January to March that was 40-50% off the regular rates for catering packages.  Also, venues said they would waive room rental fees (like $1500) for booking in that time.

If you are set on your month being September or October try thinking about doing an off day, Friday or Sunday.  I also got quotes for those days that were 30-40% catering rates, and 50-100% off room rental fees.  That is a great (and relatively easy) way to save $1000s on your wedding budget up-front.

Also, try to cut back on flower decor, it can add up quickly, and plan ahead, because last minute things end up costing you more than you plan because you can't research things for the best price if you are rushed.  Also, consider doing the decor yourself with craft supplies.  Check out http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ for all the ceremony and table decor you could ever dream of needing.

Also think about forgoing on favours. They are kind of a waste of money.  Really nice/practical ones are expensive, and the ones that are in the lower budge end are just not that nice (they look cheap) so guests don't want them anyway.  I've been to weddings with and without favours, and no one misses them if you don't give them out.  It's a good way to save $2-5 per guest.

I find online budgeting tools are not very flexible, but they are good outlines to copy the list of "must have" things you need to put into an excel spread sheet.  I've had numerous planner books given to me and have accounts at a bunch of wedding sites, and I find the easiest thing to use and keep updated is my excel spread sheet of our budget and then another workbook page with our actual spending on the venue/catering, decor, etc.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

1. Order your dress online. www.bridalonlinestore.com has some very gorgeous dresses at very reasonable prices. They offer a return policy (it has to be back in the mailing system within 3 days of your receipt, and you have to use FedEx, DHL, or UPS...something with a tracking system.) They also have anexchange policy. If the dress is too big to be altered by the time of the wedding, as long as you haven't made any alterations to it already, and it wasn't a special order, you can exchange it for a smaller size. You put in your wedding date when you order, and that's how they verify how long you have to exchange it.

2. Find a Hobby Lobby store near you. Every couple of months or so they have Bridal Blowout, where all their wedding stuff is 50% off. (Their prices aren't that bad to begin with, this is just the icing on the cake.) Also, pretty much between now and the next year, they'll pretty much have their entire store 50% off.

3. Print your own invitations. You can get kits at Hobby Lobby (above) for $20 regular price for 50 of them, and they come with reception cards and envelopes too. Get them during Hobby Lobby's bridal blowout and you'll get them for $10 for 50.

4. Use silk flowers instead of real. (Other than the decorations for the church...you want some real ones in there, but those arrangements won't be that expensive.)

5. Shop online!! Think ebay.

6. If you see something you want for the wedding while you're shopping at Walmart and you can swing it, go ahead and pick it up. Pay for a little at a time. (I did this with my flowers...want peace roses and real florists don't carry them and I found them at walmart. Got a few bushes a week over time, and now I don't have to budget for flowers!!)

7. Check out local parks and see if they have something that would be suitable for a reception hall. They're probably going to be ALOT cheaper than the Amvets or something like that. Or, check out smaller towns nearby that might have something too. My reception hall rental is only going to be $250, and it'll hold over 200 ppl.

8. Get your cake from walmart. They're really good, and that whipped icing is to die for. And they can do it in any color other than metallics.

9. If you have money set aside for your wedding now, put some (not all, because you'll probably need some to reserve stuff in the next few months) into a 3 or 6 month CD. They earn better interest than a savings acct. and if you know you're not going to use it for a while, why not make some extra dough on it?

**Edit**

10. Get your food for the reception at GFS. My honey and I are gonna do a hog roast and shredded chicken sandwiches. Total food budget is 800 bucks. (for 240 guests...can't beat $3 a head)

Answer 4

If decorating with an autumn theme, or at least autumn inspired colors, you will be able to find lots of decorations on sale/clearance within the next month.  If your colors happen to have red, check out the after Xmas sales.  Pastel colors, look after Easter.  After Holiday sales are a great time to find decorations to use.  Candles and candle holders are especially cheap when on clearance.  I found large red pillar candles, normally $6 each, for $1.00.  

Centerpieces can be as easy as a few candles, a vase with some branches/twigs, or fish bowls with floating flowers or candles.  All of these things can be found a dollar stores, Wal Mart, ect. for very little money.  Always think outside of the box when trying to find decorations.  Unless you love flowers, remember that they cost a lot and die really fast.  You can save a lot of money by not having them.  Remember, guests are not going to care, or remember what centerpieces, pew bows, or anything else you had as decorations.

Check ebay for dresses.  Also, see when local bridal stores have sales.  Many have sales to get rid of product and make room for the new collections.

Thousands of dollars can be saved by making the food yourself.  Find a venue that allows you to do this.  We're planning a meal for 150-200 and it will only cost about $300.  Also providing the drinks yourself will save a lot as well.  In my area, a banquet hall was charging $175/ half barrel of beer.  That can be bought at the liquor store for only $75.  See how easy it is to save on a few simple things?

For photographers, cake decorators, or videographers, contact a local college/community college/tech school (if one's in your area) and ask if they have students interested in providing these services.  This would be a great opportunity for them, something to add to their portfolio/resume or even something to be graded on, but would also save you money on the service.  The quality may not be good as a professional, but sometimes there needs to be a give and take when planning on a budget.

Good luck and congrats!  I've found the people on YA to be my best resource for ideas.

Answer 5

First of all, decide what is the MOST important to you and what you're willing to spend on it - is it a fairytale dress, a fancy venue, really amazing food and beverage, tons of flowers or fantastic pictures? Once you decide on that, you'll be able to build the rest of your budget around it.

I used to get emails from fireyourweddingplanner.com, but I found doing my own research a lot more helpful. I'm trying to keep my own wedding under $10K. I'm getting all the magazines and tearing out ideas I like and then I think of how to make them affordable. I found a beautiful centerpiece in one magazine that I can easily replicate for less than $30/table. Since the tables will be set up during my ceremony (which is in the same room), I've decided that they'll be the only flowers in the room other than my bouquet. I'm saving a fortune on my flowers by ordering them online. My venue is kind of a rustic cabin, so I'm buying sheer fabric (40% off with the weekly coupon at JoAnn Fabrics) and making quick curtains that can be hung with tension rods.

Use the budgeting tools at theknot.com or brides.com. They're very helpful.

Answer 6

I know you wont like my advise, but I feel the need to give it to you anyways. Have a naked wedding. Yes I said NAKED.  There would be no need for bridesmaid dresses, no need to rent a tux, and the most important thing, No need to have the beer washed off the wedding dress after its over. look how much money you could save just on that alone. If you need more advise on how to keep from purchasing a wedding cake I could help you with that too.

Answer 7

One tip that I have for you is that since you are planning on getting married in the fall, to look for your decorations this year while they are on clearance. I did this and saved over a hundred dollars by buying the decorations early.

Also, just keep track of your spending and try to stay in budget the best you can. Certain things are definitely worth spending the extra money on, but others get overlooked so just prioritize what you really find important and stick to it.    

Answer 8

Here sweetie, try this:  I searched it for you.  Hope that helps.  Know how frustrating it can be.  My 1st wedding 30 years ago, we kept it to $500.00.  That was cheap even back then.  Now, that would have been around $10,000!

http://www.ask.com/web?qsrc=2417&o=0&l=d...

Answer 9

You can purchase your veil and/or dress online. It worked just fine for me. I purchased my dress on eBay for $250, and my veil from

http://www.victoriasweddingveils.com for $39.99.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Okay, I agree with all of the advice to shop around and look for deals at places like Dollar Tree, etc.

I would avoid Oriental Trading, frankly, unless you're buying a lot - enough to justify shipping charges.

The most important advice? Be creative!!! Make your wedding fun and uniquely YOU. You can do this without spending a ton of money.

My fiance and I are spending less than $2000.00. We really wanted a sit-down dinner, though. Obviously, a caterer is out of the budget, and I didn't want the work of all that cooking! So we're having our wedding in a beautiful park location (turns out it's very cheap) and grilling steaks! We can throw foil-wrapped baking potatoes on the coals and serve cold salads (that we're ordering from a local restaurant; not a catering order, just a "to go" order) and cold drinks. We'll invite anyone who wants to imbibe something a little stronger than punch back to our place later. A fantastic sit-down meal, and economical.

We're even having everything on real, antique china. I found a gorgeous set at a thrift store! I know you can't always find what you're looking for this way, but it's worth a try. Often, you can find something just as cool as your original idea anyway.

If you go to Wilton.com, you can learn to stack cake tiers. That way, you can order two or three cakes in graduated sizes and stack the tiers yourself. (You might have to trim the cake boards.) That way, you cut the cost of your wedding cake by more than half, and you still have a professionally decorated cake.

Try visiting Offbeat Bride. www.offbeatbride.com

Not everyone on that site is working under a tight budget, but it's full of very creative people. It's kind of liberating to see all these really cool weddings people are having and realize you don't have to have all the cookie-cutter (and often really expensive) elements in order to have a fantastic, fun, memorable day.

Answer 11

I thought the book "Bridal Bargains" by Denise Fields was very useful.

Answer 12

have an old fashioned wedding.  find a hall, like a fire dept, or some club like elks, or moose or american legion.  they usually have all the equipment and they will either rent it cheap or just ask for a reasonable donation. Then have a pot luck wedding.  For music, or a DJ and other amenities like photograhers and stuff go to your local high school and ck out students doing it starting out.  they will be glad to do the stuff and you just pay for film or their expenses.  Maybe someone you knw can make your cake for little or nothing.  

Answer 13

Check http://Craigslist.org often times brides will sell leftover decorations after their weddings and you can get a ton of stuff for cheap.

Also check http://Ebay.com for the same reasons.  I found tons of decorations on both ebay & craigslist for pretty cheap.

Check Dollar Stores you may need to visit a few but they usually have some decorations.  They usually have candles and things that can be used as centerpieces.

http://orientaltrading.com - has tons of decorations for weddings and other themes for pretty cheap.

Be crafty! Make stuff yourself go to Hobby Lobby or other craft stores.  You can make a lot of decorations, centerpieces, favors and ceremony supplies yourself for way cheaper.

http://www.frugalbride.com/ - information on saving money

http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/ - more info on money saving

Target & Walmart also have decent wedding selections although they are usually the highest price of the things I have listed.

I bought this from Target http://www.target.com/Target-Club-Wedd-W... and it has been a ton of help in planning so that might be a good place to start.

Also check out http://theknot.com & http://weddingwire.com for planning

See if you can get a friend to help with photography.  Or http://craigslist.org is a great place to search for photographers just starting out! Often times you can get them to shoot your wedding digital for under $100.  I've even seen people offer to do it for free just for experience.

Again check http://craigslist.org for a DJ or band.  I found some great people that were just starting out for a lot cheaper than some larger companies.

You can also check http://craigslist.org for caterers.  Again I found many people just trying to get experience that would do it for much cheaper than a larger company.  Or ask friends & family for help.

Try to have your wedding at your own home, a friends home a park or a church are usually the cheapest places.

Wedding Cake - Super Target has great cakes and are quite a bit cheaper.  Also Wal-Mart has decent cake and might be a good place to try too.  Again http://Craigslist.org will probably put you in touch with a good baker. :)

Hope this helps!

Answer 14

Hi and congratulations!

Here is my suggestion.  It is good to get ideas and advice on here for low budget "items" like shop at Walmart, shop at Dollar stores, etc., but what you really need to do is to do things in reverse order.

What does that mean?  It means to make out a spreadsheet with your dollar amount that you have to spend.  Let's say it's $5,000.  So then look around and decide what you are going to spend that money on.  Obviously, the more guests = more money...plain and simple.  The key to low budget weddings (which, CAN be very elegant and beautiful!) is to keep your guest list down....very low.  Also, keep your bridal party to a minimum (if possible).  This not only eliminates "bridesmaid stress" but also cuts down on the money you need to spend for gifts for your attendants and on the rehearsal dinner.  

So...start with a spreadsheet and decide how you are going to divy up the money.  Know that the reception is the biggest cost...about 1/2 of the budget.  Also know that there are many alternatives to the big sit down dinner, drinking and dancing type of reception.  Many on here are having appetizers and desserts or simply a dessert reception. (These types of receptions, though, must be at non-meal times.) There is also the option of a late morning wedding with a lunch or brunch reception.  

These are only ideas that I am throwing out to you.  Obviously, you know your budget...we don't so my best advice is to plan everything around the budget.  With so many online retailers along with places like Walmart, Target, Ebay and dollar stores....there are lots of options for decorations, invitations, favors, etc. on a budget.

Look at the website:  www.frugalbride.com

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 15

I can give you a couple of tips that might help you.

-Hire the boys attire, don't buy as this is expensive.

-Have a buffet reception or a cocktail party reception.

-Get someone to make your gown or get it on sale or even 2nd hand

-Ask a bridesmaid to do your hair and make-up

-Use silk flowers instead of fresh

-Ask someone you know to make your wedding cake

-have candles as centrepieces, not floral arrangements

-hire a photographer for a couple of hours rather than all day

-Make your own invitations, rsvp cards and thank you cards

-Get married outdoors because its a beautiful atmosphere and its free

-always ring around and get a minimum of 3 different quotes before making a final decision

-Borrow your wedding transport from someone you know. Don't hire

-Get simple gold wedding bands and upgrade later if you want

I could really go on and on. Its important that you shop around, but the best piece of advice I can offer you is that when your getting a quote, don't tell them it's for a wedding. The price always triples when they know this. I hope this has helped. All my tips are from experience. I have planned my entire wedding on my own.

EDIT: I forgot to add, another money saver is to have your wedding on a friday or a sunday. Weddings are more expensive on a saturday.

Answer 16

OK....it first starts with the venue.  Maybe do it outside near a beach if you close by....or a nice park.  Fall is perfect outdoor wedding weather.

Next...try to find a friend who is good with photography to do the photography.  If you really don't need a DJ, don't get one.  

Cut costs on your dress.  MY fiance found her dress on ebay through cinderella dresses and got her for $150....and it's absolutely gorgeous.  

For a reception, have it in your backyard.....potluck style.  IF you are going to have a reception at a place....then trim your guest list.

Buy flowers wholesale and have the local botanical club at high school do the arrangements for you.

Also....google "How to have a cheap wedding" as there are lots of good links that may help you.

Good luck to you and have a great wedding!!