What are some good ideas for a wedding and reception on a budget?

Question

I am getting married in June of next year and was wondering if anyone had suggestions for colors, (I know I want an Aqua blue but what goes with that), inexpensive tricks and tips for having an elegant wedding on a budget. Here is what we know we have : a cute little chapel that is already decorated beautifully and needs nothing more than maybe some pew decorations, the reception is at the bed and breakfast a block away and will be outside in the garden area. They provide the minister, tables, chairs, linens an arch and a gazebo and we are having my finances parents cater since they own a restaurant in town and thats about it. I need some ideas I have no idea what goes into planning a wedding.

Answer 1

had my dream wedding and we spent around 2500. Here are some ideas to help cut corners. We had about a 100 guest show up, maybe 125, don't know the exact count. We anticipated around 200.

We cut lots of corners but it was beautiful.

Family member took our pictures.

Family friend baked both cakes for the cost of the ingredients. (Only the bottom tier of a 3 tier cake was eaten, and all but 1/4 of the grooms cake was left)

A lady at our church did our center pieces and decorations, she already had the stuff from a previous wedding and they happened to be in our colors.

We didn't serve a sit down meal, instead, we served cake, punch, grapes, cheese, dinner mints, peanuts, chocolate covered strawberries, and ice water for guests who didn't like punch. Ask around and borrow serving dishes/punch bowls.

The church let us borrow the table clothes for the tables.

We used the church greenery as a back drop.

I made the boutineers for the groom, my dad, his dad, best man, and my ring bearer.

I got mine and the maid of honor bouquets at micheals for 12.99 each, they were hand tied flowers.

I got all the party supplies from sam's and oriental trading.

Flower girl basket and pillow, I found them on clearance for 1/.2 price at the craft stores.

We printer our own invitations on my printer, I picked the invites up for 1/2 price at the craft store.

I used the craft store coupons (40%) off the purchase a kit that included the guest book, pen, cake server, and flutes for toasting.

We had the guest blow the bubbles at us and that doubled as our favors, i personalized them and hand tied ribbon in our wedding colors.

I splurged on my dress and veil, but nothing over the top. Just ask about the cost of alterations before you purchase the dress, this is one thing I wish I did. My dress was detailed and the alterations were more expensive than I thought they were going to be.

Get your friends to play the ceremony music for you, or use Cd or Ipod.

Flowers for the centerpieces and the courages if you don't have time to make them, use the grocery store florist. They are cheaper and the flowers are just as pretty as the high priced florists.

Answer 2

Ivory or a Choclate Brown are both complimentary to the aqua blue. A very expensive detail that could add up to thousands of dollars are flowers. By passing on the real flowers and substituting them for fake, tastful ones you will surely cut the price. Another alternative is for you to only carry a bouquet.

Another part of the wedding that could start to become expensive are table arrangements. You could easily make some neat ones cheaply yourself. Instead of spending big bucks for the flowers you could once again purchase fake flower petals and spread them around the middle of the tables. You could then lay inexpensive shallow vases and fill them with aqua colored sea glass, water and float small teacup candles in the vases for some ambiance.

Answer 3

Teal, Lavendar, and Ivory go well with Aqua.  It really sounds like you are saving tons just by combining and knowing people to work with you.  Don't forget to use silk instead of real flowers and take advantate of coupons.  Watch for sales ads and you can find your dress for $100 to $400 brand new at David's Bridal or Wendy's.  Even 2nd hand shops and local classifieds sell dresses from $25 and up.  Center pieces and decorations that are "off season" can be found right now in your party stores for 1/2 off.  Take advantage and purchase some of your items now.  Hope these hints help and Best Wishes to you and yours.

Answer 4

colors- Aqua white and black

aqua white and light green

inexpensive tricks and tips- small guest list, non formal wedding, used wedding dress, have someone make the cake, small or no bridal party

Answer 5

the best best best place to get a dress for you and bridesmaids is ebay, if you get the prom or ballgown dresses from thiland or china they are only about £20.00 plus about a tenner postage and they are gorgeous, maybe even cheaper!!, rather than buying  invites out do some on the internet and print them out, that way they are personalized and the main thing, it will be the best day of your life so dont pannic!!! i forgot to say, gold and cream goes lovely with aqua blue, you can also get helium baloons at the reception in those colours which will look lovely and if there is kids there it will entertain them

Answer 6

Hi and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Your venue for the ceremony AND the reception sound absolutely lovely!  I wouldn't do much with it.  As you said, keep the chapel as it is.  If you want pew decorations, fine, personally with a small chapel I wouldn't even do that.  Instead, I would get two vases of beautiful flowers to put on each side of the altar and keep it at that.  The same kind and color of flowers that you will be using in the bouquets.

With aqua blue you could do a number of different colors.  Look on this color chart.  What looks good is a contrasting color, which would be opposite of the color you are using.....so you could go with oranges/reds....or even yellows if you want:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/flori...

http://photos-507.ll.facebook.com/photos...

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbvie...

http://www.lynnlugobridal.com/images/rw_...

For the reception....again, keep it simple....it sounds beautiful as it is.  Have small vases of flowers on the tables and keep it at that!  You don't need an overwhelming huge bouquet.  A simple bud vase with 1 or 2 roses and some greens looks absolutely lovely.

Good luck and I hope you have a beautiful wedding!  It sounds lovely.

Answer 7

Skip the DJ and use an ipod. You will save 100s of dollars right there!

Answer 8

I also did Aqua and I paired it with a chocolate brown and gold. It looked very nice together! I would suggest making your own invitations and programs. It takes some extra work but you can save hundreds of dollars. Since you are having your wedding outside in a garden, keep your centerpieces and decorations VERY simple. You will be in such a beautiful area and you dont want to take away from that. Plus it will save you money! We took rose bowls (which look kinda like fish bowls) filled them with water and put different types(organza, satin) and colors of ribbon in the water. It looks really cool and it is inexpensive. Try it out! Good luck!