Frugal wedding tips- can you cut this budget for me?

Question

Okaaay!

I have the following left to pay for for the wedding that is September 6th.

DJ- $200

Minister-$200

Marriage license- $100

Bridal party gifts (4 of them) $150

candy buffet (instead of favours) $150

groomsmen golfing morning of wedding- $100

wedding bands- $300

clothing for our kids to wear to wedding- $125

rehersal dinner night before for close family/friends- $250

Hair/makeup- $100

thank you cards for after wedding & shower- $40

Rest of the catering bill- $400 (parents are paying other $3000)

I am thinking about skipping getting my hair & makeup done and doing it myself. I am buying basic blank cards from a craft store and stamping my own thank you cards. We have a contract with the DJ otherwise we would just use a laptop for music... but we can't now.

We're not handing out favours, but having a candy buffet. Buying candy in bulk, putting it in bowls and stamping white paper bags with our wedding colours and design.

how can I cut down on bridal party gift costs? I paid for their dresses. I am really trying to keep their gifts at around $100, not the budgeted $150... was thinking about framing a nice picture of me with each of the girls and giving them as gifts, along with a mini spa kit (bath bombs, lotions, scrubs, etc).

I just bought the dress for my daughter on clearance for $19- now my son needs khakis, a white golf shirt, and both kids need shoes.

Was thinking about how to spend less on the rings- a brushed white gold/titanium/silver band for hubby, and a white gold band for myself. Where is the cheapest we can get them? Online is fine, as long as they will arrive on time.

I also need to buy the following--

tea lights

spool of raffia

white paper bags

placecards & bulletin board for place cards

mini plant pots with greenery in them

tulle

green and chocolate brown ribbon

some fake green button mums or something similar

a big wreath form to make a wreath with the flowers

any ways i can cut down these costs even more? I only have like $2000 TOPS for the rest of this! And what is the ettiquette on tipping the caterer/minister/dj?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There’s a lot left for you to do, but it can definitely be done with less than $2000!

1.  hair/makeup – don’t skimp too much on this.  You’ll have your pics forever & you want to look your absolute best!  Besides, it will be a great time for you to relax & be pampered.  Now if you have  friend who’s willing to do your hair (and can do a good job) ask her.  Maybe she’ll do it as a wedding gift – for free!

2.  BM gifts – what you’re considering (framed picture) is really nice, but instead of the mini spa, just put a nice hand written note along with you.  You already purchased their dresses & (as your friends) they should understand that your budget is tight.  If you really wanna do something for them, offer to take them out for a girls night (your treat) in about a month or two – after you’ve recovered financially.

3.  kids clothes/shoes – I would suggest going to someplace like target, walmart, or tj maxx to get the kids clothes & payless for the shoes.  if you’re son is a little boy, it really won’t matter if the outfit you purchase is inexpensive cuz he will grow out of it quickly anyway!  

4.  rings – surprisingly Sam’s Club has decent gold jewelry as does Kohls.  Check there to see if you find something inexpensive.  Save yourself some time & check out their websites.  Since Walmart is essentially the same as Sam’s Club, you could check there too.  

5.  décor items – all your décor items can be purchased at micheal’s craft store or on a website like www.save-on-crafts.com or www.afloral.com

6.  placecards – you can go to michael’s and get place cards that can be printed at home on your computer & then just folded.  That way, you won’t need a bulletin board for the place cards – just a designated table.

7.  rehearsal dinner – this is totally required, especially if you don’t have out of town guests. Traditionally the purpose of this dinner was to welcome out of town guests and give one more “thank you” to your bridal party.  If you can’t afford, just get rid of it.  OR, you can just cut back on your menu or do a potluck meal.

Hope this helps!   CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MARRIAGE!!!

Answer 2

For my bridal party gifts I am going to Walmart, Bath and Body Works, and the dollar store and I'm going to fill up a bag for each of them in things that are their favorite scents! I'm buying the dresses, shoes, hair, makeup, manis, pedis, and jewelry for my bridesmaids. All of the groomsmen will get an FYE $25 giftcard. And that's about all we have money for.

Answer 3

Here are my suggestions:

1. We gave our minister $50, that should be enough especially if you do feed him at the reception also.

2. You bought the bridesmaid's dresses - that's enough of a gift for them - most bride's don't buy the dresses.

3. Our wedding bands actually came from Walmart - we bought both bands for under $100 and ten years later our bands still look great.  And we do wear them constantly so they have had a lot of wear & tear.

4. Try Payless Shoe Source for the kids shoes, they have buy 1 get 1 quite often and are very cheap on thier dressy occasion shoes.

5. Try Michael's for the rest of your decorating things; they have great sales and good coupons in the paper on most Sundays.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You already bought the bridal party their dresses, so don't go overboard--go and buy them something simple and inexpensive like that mani/pedi kit.

I personally wouldn't skimp on hair and make-up.  This is a day to indulge yourself with something like that and it'll look great.

See if you can cut the rehearsal dinner bill.  Do something really simple and relaxed--dinner/bbq at your house or pizza.  I have a friend who went bowling instead.

Check out dollar stores and on-line for the rest of the stuff you need--you can get a deal...ebay is great for wedding stuff.

Answer 5

Cut down on the rehearsal dinner.  Have something like a pizza party or sandwich trays and save there.

Cut down on bridal gifts!  No need if you've already purchased their dresses.  Get them something small.  No need to go overboard.

Do the groomsmen really need to go golfing the morning of?  I wouldn't want my groomsmen hitting the 19th hole without eating (because you know the guys never eat and then drink whilst golfing)

Check ebay or resale for your sons clothes.  Many times boys dress wear is in pristine condition because it is worn so infrequently.  I think you can save there.

Get your hair and makeup done!  This is your day...quit sacrificing yourself for the sake of others.

If it comes down to it I would skip the candy buffet.

Answer 6

Hi and congratulations!

Ohhh....I just LOVE trying to help brides save money!

The first three:  DJ, Minister, Marriage License is going to be what it is...no way to cut down on those.

~ Bridal party gifts (4 of them) $150

Have you thought about getting small make up bags with their initial monogramed on them?  These are cheap!  I used Google and typed in "bridesmaids initialed makeup bag" and came up with lots:

http://www.gunthergifts.com/shstincobag....

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/initial-...

http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwa...

Then, if you want, you can give some "spa items," but really....if you are trying to cut back...then cut back!  If you already paid for their dress....then get them something small.  The price points for the ones I posted are $4.99; $14.95 & $12/$14 and they are really cute!  Choose one and go with it.

~ candy buffet (instead of favours) $150

Why don't you skip this TOTALLY!  Really, it's a nice thought, but no one really cares about favors.  

~ groomsmen golfing morning of wedding- $100 - Is this their gift?  If so, then go with it.

~ wedding bands- $300

~ clothing for our kids to wear to wedding- $125

For these two.....Do you have a Walmart near you?  Seriously, my daughter and I were looking the other night at wedding bands, etc. (just out of curiosity...we are both married), and we said..."wow, those wedding bands are really nice."  

Same for the kids clothing.  You should be able to find some khaki pants for your son and a white shirt very cheap.

~ rehersal dinner night before for close family/friends- $250

This may be hard to cut down on unless you have a BBQ at your place.

~ Hair/makeup- $100 - DON'T skimp on this....really!  Totally forget the favors instead and indulge yourself with this luxury.

~ thank you cards for after wedding & shower- $40 - Again....WALMART!  You can get a box of about 25 for about $3.  Or...better yet....a dollar store!  DON'T spend lots of money on thank you notes.

Rest of the catering bill- $400 (parents are paying other $3000)

No way to cut back.  What is ordered is ordered.

~ Tealight, Raffia, Placecards can all be bought at Walmart, KMart, or a dollar store!!

~ Mini plants....look at a Lowe's or any home center store.

~ Tulle; Green and Chocolate Brown Ribbon; fake button mums and a wreath form can all be bought at Walmart, Michaels, Hobby Lobby.

Hope this helps!  Good luck!

Answer 7

I budgetted about 20.00/per bridesmaid for the gifts. I got them pearl necklaces from an Old World Jewelry dealer. They were freshwater pearls and I got a great deal on them.

I shopped the clearance rack at the Gap for my sons pants and found a white shirt at Target. Look for shoes at a TJMaxx or a Target or something.

Check Bluenile.com for rings. Or even Sams Club since you just want white gold bands.

I would also go to the Flowerfactory for the rest of the stuff fo rthe actual wedding. Or look at Hobby Lobby when stuff goes on sale. They have coupons in the sunday paper. You can get white bags at the grocery store like lunch sacks. Tulle you can buy a bolt of it at the fabric store for less than 10.00.

if you get a ring from Sams Club you could buy candy there as well. Get M&Ms and Licorice and Skittles or something....

You could do a Pot Luck type deal for the rehearsal. Or you could make the food yourself? Or even order pizza.

Answer 8

See if you have a local yahoo group called "Freecycle" post a note for the items you need. You would be surprized at the responses. I imagine you know about OrientalTrading.com where you can get bulk stuff cheaply (the mini pots can be gotten there & painted to match decore. They also have a cute craft topiary idea you could have as a center piece as well as the wreath). I'm sure that someone can loan you a bulletin board from thier home office (that would be a wasteful purchase). Do you have any local .99 cent stores ( I get great picture frames for a buck & paint to match decore if needed... hot glue a few of them (6-8) together in a unique arangement like in the trendy catalogues with a couple of photos of you & that person in a frame or two...a saying or sentiment in a couple more & call it a day at $10.00 each girl) See if the local Sewing store has odd pieces or scrap tulle on sale. Ask the place you are getting your bulk candy from to provide the white bags as part of the price or go to your local restaurant supply shop. Since you are stamping your own Thank You cards, just get a standard ream of paper in a heavy card stock (you can get some really nice & fancy paper) cut each 8 1/2 x 11 in half (paper cutter) & you can get 2 cards on one sheet...don't forget the envelopes...brings your $40.00 budget to about $15 to $20.

Answer 9

You can cut down the rehearsal dinner by doing just an out door pick nick at a pretty park and getting a bunck of trayed food like fruit, deli meat ect.. from your local grocery store and borrowing some table to put them on maybe from youre church or something. Decorate then with maybe pictures of you and fiance alone with a pretty table cloth. Depending on the number of guest this could cut like 100 bucks.

Answer 10

*  Shop your local Dollar Store.

*  You don't need the candy buffet & favors are a waste.

*  You bought the maids dresses?  No need for any other gift.  Write them a thank you note.

*  Find cheaper kid's clothing.  They'll grow out of them by next month.

*  You have your officiant in place?  Are you having a rehearsal?  If your officiant doesn't have to conduct the rehearsal she/he might charge a cheaper price.  I do.

*  Why do you need to assign seating?  Use cards for your reserved seating for special guests, parents, etc.  Let everyone else find their own place to sit.

*  Call a local beauty school to see if one of their better students would like to do your hair & makeup.  Or Sally's Beauty Supply; they hire retired salon people or people currently in school.

*  Kohl's has some nice wedding bands.  If you purchase them on-line they come with in few days.

Answer 11

Cut out the candy buffet, you don't need favors

Get your hair done, but do your own makeup. Have the bridesmaids pay for their own hair and makeup.

For your bridal party gifts: Get them the picture and some earings to wear at the wedding. you don't need to spend alot because you bought their dresses

You should be able to get all the things on you list at a local craft store (michaels, hobby lobby, joann fabrics).

Try ebay for your rings. My fiance got a Tungston Carbide ring for 25 dollars!!!  

Maybe skip the golf?? Find a less expensive course???  

Answer 12

DJ- $200 - ask if there is anything he can do to make it a bit cheaper since thins are gettinga  bit expensive.  Cant hurt to ask!

Minister-$200- justice of the peace may be cheaper ($125 in MA)

Bridal party gifts (4 of them) $150- spend $25 each and get each a cute neckalce and a thank you card

clothing for our kids to wear to wedding- $125- post on craiglist for outfits, someone may have something they no longer need and you can get for half the price

rehersal dinner night before for close family/friends- $250- have a BBQ or picnic at home or your favorite pizza place, nothing fancy

thank you cards for after wedding & shower- $40

Rest of the catering bill- $400 (parents are paying other $3000)- cash bar, no open bar.  Choose cheaper apps, skip expensive seafood

I am thinking about skipping getting my hair & makeup done and doing it myself- if you really can and will like it, do that.  But dont if you cant halde it, it will be a busy day.  Maybe get the ahir done and have a friend do the makeup

how can I cut down on bridal party gift costs? I paid for their dresses. I am really trying to keep their gifts at around $100- you bought the dresses, a little gift and a card would be fine!

I just bought the dress for my daughter on clearance for $19- now my son needs khakis, a white golf shirt, and both kids need shoes- look at kids consignment shops

Spend it on the bands-thats forever!

tea lights- dollar store or xmas tree shop if you have one (i can ship you them too)

white paper bags-http://www.nashvillewraps.com/ShowSku.ww...

raffia-http://www.nashvillewraps.com/ShowType.w...

placecards & bulletin board for place cards-- 96 cards for $9.99 and skip the board, just fold and palce on table as they come in

mini plant pots with greenery in them-check local nursery for bulk price

green and chocolate brown ribbon-http://www.nashvillewraps.com/ShowSku.ww...

Answer 13

Every place is specific, but in my experience most ministers do not charge a fee for a wedding ceremony.  Rather, you give him/her a card expressing your gratitude with maybe $50-$100 inside.  It is your money and your wedding, but personally I would not spend your money on paying for groomsmen to go golfing.  Be glad the DJ is only $200, that is cheap!  I looked into one just for a few hours for a birthday party and the cheapest I was quoted was like $400.  You could definitely cut out the candy buffet, it is unnecessary just as favors are also unnecessary.  Also, if you paid for your bridesmaids dresses I would not buy them a gift... it is customary for the bridesmaids to buy their own dresses, so you have done enough.  I think what you have for wedding bands sounds reasonable.  That is something you should have forever, so I would not skimp on that.  

As far as the rest of the stuff you have to buy, there is definitely ways to find that cheap.  I wish I could help you buy those things because I know places to go where I live, but Walmart I would suggest.  They usually have a nice variety of fake flowers and wreaths that look nice.  If you have a party supply store in your area I would recommend there, they usually have all kinds of ribbon and other things that you need.

Good luck, I know it's stressful.  Sorry I can't help more!  Congrats!