Need help on an inexpensive wedding

Question

I am looking to get married at the beginning of next year and am trying to think outside the box when it comes to planning my wedding. any helpful tips on how to save money on my big day? especially need help in picking a place... any good places to look?

Answer 1

Hi Amber:

Most of us love to help brides on a budget, but we need MORE INFO!

How many guests are you having?

What do you mean by inexpensive?  What is your budget for the wedding and for the reception?

Where do you live?  OR...where will the wedding/reception be?

Edit your question and I will get back to you.

EDIT:  Ok.  Thanks for the extra information.  

~ The very first thing you will need to do is to SET A BUDGET!  That is the most important thing.  Why?  Because everything you want, dream, or plan will need to revolve around the budget.  If you know that your parents or your fiance's parents are willing to contribute, then figure that in as well.

~ The second thing that strikes me is you say "an inexpensive wedding" and then you say that your fiance has "an extensive family."  Those two things will not go well together.  You cannot have an inexpensive wedding with a large guest list.  It just won't happen.  

~ The biggest portion of any wedding budget is the reception.  That will be AT LEAST 1/2 of your budget.  Now, you CAN have an inexpensive reception.  Many on here are simply having cake, punch and coffee after their weddings.  Or, adding in a bit more with some finger foods and appetizers.  You can do this if you have it at the right time of day....say from 2-5 p.m.  (not at a meal time.)  This would be a huge savings.

~ If you want the traditional night time dinner, drinks and dancing.....it's going to cost.  Check out some reception venues in your city to see what they charge.  I live in Michigan so I can't help you at all with So. California.

~ Dresses.  That is a good idea (getting fabric, etc.), however, do check out budget online bridal stores.  It may even be cheaper than having someone make them!  Here is one:  

http://www.bridesonlinestore.com/

OR

http://www.bridalonlinestore.com/Collect...

~ Other ways to save are to not get caught up in all the bridal industry's thinking that you "have to have this" and you "have to have that" in order to have a "perfect day."  It's all c**p.  You CAN have a very nice wedding without all the frills of limos, favors, unity candles, table cameras, etc.

Hopefully this helps a little.  Feel free to ask lots more questions.  That is what we are here for!  Good luck with your planning,

Answer 2

Hay where is your wedding going to be held?

How many bridal attendance will u be having?

A january wedding is so much different if it is being held in Florida then Michigan, so where do live?

need more info!

Answer 3

Believe it or not Wal-mart has some really great looking wedding items in their craft departments. They are Martha Stewart and they are really affordable. You can also find things you need on Oriental Trading.com They have lots of stuff for your wedding and they offer free personalization.

Answer 4

You haven't given us a lot of details on what you want so in general I would say pick up the "bridal bargins" book by Denise fields (i think) It will tell you how to save much money on any aspect of your wedding! It is highly recommened.

Answer 5

Does your local High school have a Tech Ed Center?  If so those are great places to start!!

The baking pastry arts teacher could make you a cheaper dream cake or have her best student do it

If there is a floral design class , they can do the flowers

Also most tech ed centers have a photography class , they can work magic for less too.

And because most states do not allow schools to charge service fees , it will be CHEAP!!   Don't shy away from these places , they are very professional and most require their students to make a certain grade or they are dropped from the class.  They also require students to take state and or national career related liscensing test.  

Answer 6

The easiest way to save money is have it in someone's backyard..like a family friend or relative who has a big enough and pretty enough backyard.

Also look for nonprofit gardens, restaurants, or even parks.  

Answer 7

Congratulations!!!!! Where is your wedding going to be? I'm looking for a place for my brother's wedding and I'm finding that hotels are not the best places to check, they're way too expensive. Try somewhere random that just rents rooms for events. Or if you know someone with a huge backyard you could have an outside wedding. Try having your wedding and reception in the same place. Get someone you know to do the catering. For your brides maid dresses, try JCPenney outlets or Davids Bridal (sometimes they have specials). Hope this helps!!!

Answer 8

Trot on over to http://www.theknot.com and sign up for an account.  There you will find not only good articles on helping to plan a wedding, but also the message boards, which I found to be extremely helpful.  There are local boards with girls there that can give recs on vendors and how to help save money in your area.

This webpage is also very useful in planning a fantastic budget wedding...

http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...  

Answer 9

Well, I'm spending $2,500 on my wedding.

We're inviting 60 people.

It's in my aunt's front yard.

We're having a family friend as our officiant.

We're catering our own reception.

We're having a casual wedding. He's wearing a suit and I'm wearing dress pants and a sweater.

There are so many neat and fun ways you can cut the budget! Just have some fun with it!