What are some ways to save on weddings & receptions?

Question

Looking for cost-saving ideas that will not make the wedding look 'cheap'...

Everything from food, # guests, flowers, cake, etc.

Answer 1

go to www.wrapwithus.com           ITs a AWESOME SITE with alot of cool things. I just purchased all my last minute detail things for HELLA cheap. It was a big life savor for me.

Answer 2

Search online!!  I went on craigslist.com and I found a great deal on a photographer and dj.  They were both so professional and did an awesome job.  They had both only been in the business for about a year so were still working on getting their names out in the community.  I also found a discount wedding cake online that sent me samples and I got to choose what I wanted my cake to look like and it was about half the cost of any store bought wedding cake and was just as good looking and just as yummy.  I suggest if you know anyone who can help you with your flowers then buy them in bulk online and put them together yourself.   It's time consuming but will save you in the long run (we spent about $250 on flowers and it was enough for 3 vase fulls, 6 bridesmaid bouquets, my bouquet, 7 boutonnieres, and 4 corsages.The hotel also charged us less because we were not serving champange and chose to do cider.  It was $2.50 cheaper a person.  Good luck!

Answer 3

The biggest saver that I have discovered thus far is the timing of your wedding (as in time of day). If you have your reception during dinner hours, 4-7pm, guests will expect dinner. However, if you avoid those hours, you will be able to save $ on food. My fiance and I are having a late reception beginning at 8pm... it is going to be a cocktail reception. Hors d'oeurves and cocktails will be served. Our menu consists of about 10 different hors d'oeurves, we are actually getting some of the food from QVC.com . We are having approx 225 guests. By following the specific menu that I created, we are saving $800.... and there will still be plenty of food for everyone.

Answer 4

For my sister's wedding, she rented out a Lion's club. you can also look into Masons, and American Legion. They usually have rental rates for their buildings. Or for the location - if you want it outside try going to a national or state park. Most of the time you just pay for a pavilion for the day and also entry into the park. Parking is free.

There's a TON of places to buy your dress for cheap. Davids Bridal also has a $99 sale periodically. I think there might be one going on now. Look online - it's the easiest place to find them. Usually local bridal boutiques have outrageous prices just because they are small businesses trying to stay afloat.

Get your family together and make the food yourself.

If you want something close to a live band/dj, you can go to the local college or university and speak to the music director. (Or post a flyer) Alot of times there are students who are willing to perform for the cost of being fed. Just make sure you give them your list of songs and have them play for you ahead of time.

Renting decor is much cheaper than buying!

And go to a craft store, purchase silk flowers and make your flower arrangements and bouquets yourself. You could probably hold a  "flower party" with your fam and friends. It will get done VERY quickly this way. Same goes for the invitations.

Hope this helps! Good luck :)

Answer 5

For starters you can make your own invitations, get family help to make the food, and cake.

Answer 6

Consider making your own wedding dress; having a family member or friend make one for you; or simply wearing a "hand-me-down" or borrowed dress that's in good condition.

Also consider serving only cake and punch at the wedding reception, or asking friends and relatives to help out with some simple dinner dishes. "Potluck" wedding receptions are becoming increasingly popular in certain parts of mainstream America and have been popular in some cultures

(i.e. the Quaker society) for years, if not decades or centuries.

Also consider playing your own mix tapes, CDs, or records for people to bop along to at the wedding reception, instead of hiring a live band or disc jockey. The reception doesn't have to be lavish, or even appear lavish, in order to ensure that a good time is had by all! If nothing else, just remember that the wedding won't last for more than a day --  while your marriage should last for a lifetime!

Answer 7

We had a wedding of 30 guests, because we only invited immediate family. That's the first way we saved money.

Second we looked for sites that were not used that often for ceremonies. We got married on the Gardens of a museum. Their prices were a lot lower than that of the typical sites. Being different pays off.

As far as cake and photography, to save money, I suggest you looking for people who are getting started in the business. They may have some experience but they will give you a very low rate (sometimes free!) as long as they can use their work for their portfolio. Best of all, they always go out of their way to succeed, because again its for their portfolio, and they're looking for referrals!

Answer 8

The book Bridetob speaks of is by Diane Warner & retails for $15.  Check your local library or Halfprice book store.

There is an updated edition. Great book!

Answer 9

when I got married, my maid of honor and I did everything that a wedding planner would have done.

not hiring a wedding planner will save you money.. you can always put certain taskes onto your parents, his parents and friends..

make a notes and give them to them..

watching a lot of tv, weddings on a budget.. some people bought vases at the dollar store... accents like colored glass and stones at the dollar store..

my brother made a money tree with a REAL tree limb and stripped it and painted it silver.. put colored ribbons with clips... then put it in a decorated base with crystal glass in the base... cheap but looked elegant

Answer 10

Well I have married 2 daughters on shoe string bugets.  First invite only those close to you.  You don't need to invite all of the long lost relatives and friends that you have not talked to in a few years.  This will help keep the cost down.

I did all the flowers for my daughters weddings.  I did silk flowers.  Go to the craft store they have books on this.  You can do all the flowers for the wedding party, church and reception. The flowers were great.  For your cake go to your local grocery store.  I have found that the cakes are very good and very pretty.  This will save alot over a bakery.

Food can be the hardest part.  I was very lucky with both of the daughters weddings.  The oldest had her reception at a VFW hall which my stepfather is a memeber got the hall and food for a great price.  The youngest daughter her maid of honors BF owns a restaurant and he catered it for the cost of the food.  

For your wedding dress look on the clearance racks a bridel shops.  One gown we got was marked down to $100 and than we saw that some of the beading was discolored from the dress being in a window so they sold it to us of $50.  Was lucky and found someone to replace the discolored beading for $50  total $100 for dress.  The other dress was $99.

Both the weddings looked great and everyone was very happy.  But I sure am glad that both of the girls are married and I don't have to do that again.

Start planning as far a head of time as you can.  Start projects and get them done ASAP.

Answer 11

have a pot luck style wedding they are becoming more common and fresh wild flowers are pretty and free

Answer 12

There are several ways you can save on a wedding.  

You or someone you know can make the cake. Just by baking, stacking and icing the cakes, you can decorate it with fresh flowers or ribbon and it will look equally beautiful. Or you could ask a friend to help.

You can buy flowers in bulk or even fake flowers and put the bouquets together yourself with your bridesmaids. Or you can even buy a fake flower bouquet already made from Wilton(the cake company) at Wal*Mart, a craft store or online.

For invites, place cards, etc. you can just buy some nice paper and design them yourself on your computer.

For table centerpieces, you can buy a bulk of tea light candles, mirrors, and fake flower petals(again Wilton). Just place the mirror in the middle, place a few tea lights, and sprinkle some flower petals.

For favors, you can give out candles with your own label on them just by using a homemade label maker.

For food, you can either see if the place for the reception caters or a local restaraunt can usually cater for fairly cheap rates

I've seen some weddings that rent out a hall, set up tables and stuff, and then perform the ceremony at an alter at the front of a room. But I'm not too sure about that one.

I hope these tips help and have a great wedding.

Answer 13

I'm getting married next summer and one tip that I have for you is to pass on the small unnecessary items. Also you can do so much yourself without having to spend hundreds of dollars to hire someone. I recently purchased the  book "How to Have a Big Wedding on a Small Budget." It is very helpful and has great ideas. You might want to consider that.

Answer 14

In general, non-traditional wedding days are cheaper (Friday night, Sunday afternoon), and non-traditional times (morning, early afternoon) are easier on your catering budget since you don't have to provide a full meal. Limiting the guest list to immediate family and close friends will save you tons. Try to avoid anything that's specifically for weddings, as it will be 2-3 times the normal cost. Enlist family and friends' help and services as much as possible, or network through them to get discounts.

Invitations and Programs: There are several online sites that you can order invitations from for cheap. Otherwise, you can buy inexpensive ones that you print yourself from Michaels or Target. Or if you feel very ambitious, you can make them completely from scratch, using your printer and nice cardstock from a craft store.

Wedding dress: Buy it on sale in the fall/ off-season or get it secondhand. There are several websites for brides selling their dresses (make sure you try on the same style in a store though and know your size/ measurments). Or avoid the traditional "wedding dress" completely and find a nice white dress at a department store (Nordstrom's, J Crew, Target). If you decide to get it at bridal salon, call around to compare prices of the dresses you like. I got my dress for $450 cheaper by doing that.

Bridesmaid's Dresses: Ebay and Craigslist! Instead of matching dresses, you could just specify a color and designer and let them find one they like at a price they can afford. (i.e. "Apple Red" at David's Bridal)

Groomsmen's attire: Tux rentals are expensive, but usually not on your tab. You could have them wear their nicest black suit, or some matching slacks with a white button-down shirt. But if you do have the groomsmen rent tuxes, usually then the groom's rental is free.

Ceremony site: If you are a member of a local congregation, the church may be "free" with a donation and can usually accommodate the reception as well. Otherwise, you could have it somewhere less traditional and it may be cheaper. Ideas: Historic mansions/ old buildings, gardens, parks, museums, hotels, farms, a friend's backyard, bed and breakfasts... Famous, beautiful churches and country clubs would probably be the most expensive.

Ceremony "props"- unity candles, ringbearer pillow, flowergirl basket, guest book, pew/aisle decor, etc: Do it yourself, find similar things not targeted for weddings (normal candles instead of "wedding unity candles"), or get them at a discount or craft store (WalMart, JoAnn Fabrics).

Flowers- Rather than having them professionally done, buy the flowers wholesale and arrange them yourself or have a crafty friend do it. Limiting the number of flowers in the reception decor will reduce the cost a lot (like having a single bloom in a vase instead of a bouquet, using candles and other decorations, etc). Local/seasonal blooms are cheaper, possibly free if you know avid gardeners. I hate to say it since many people disagree, but I think fake flowers are tacky.

Photographer: Try to find a talented amateurs or someone just starting out. You could ask at the photography dept. at a local college for recommendations, search craigslist, etc. If you go with a professional, they usually offer cheaper packages that are just a certain number of hours instead of the whole day.

Reception Venue: It's smart to have the ceremony and reception at the same place, so you only have to pay 1 fee. If you have it somewhere separate, look for nontraditional venues (see above).

Catering: Hors d'oeuvres, finger food, or an afternoon tea is much less expensive than providing a full meal, but then you shouldn't time your reception to be during lunch or dinner. Brunches and buffets are the next cheapest options. If you have very generous and ambitious friends/relatives and under 75 guests, you could possibly cater it yourself (some basic food items can be purchased in bulk at places like Sam's Club). You could also do a pot-luck, or a dessert reception and have your friends and relatives make something. The cheapest route is just cake and punch but it comes off as cheap. I mean, this is your wedding, not your graduation open house.

Wedding Cake: You can get inexpensive cakes at grocery stores or Sam's Club. If you knew a talented cook/baker, they might be willing to do it for cost- it's not impossible to make a tiered cake with simple decorations (toss on a few flower petals or a ribbon).

Alcohol: Just having a champagne toast is the cheapest option, providing an open bar is the most expensive. Something in between, like only wine and beer, and then champagne for the toast, suits most people. Buying it yourself in bulk is cheaper than having your caterer provide it (Trader Joes has some excellent wines for $5-$10 per bottle). Of course, you can always choose not to provide any alcohol if you're opposed to it.

DJ: You could make a playlist yourself or have a friend do it- lots of people are just hooking up their ipods and avoiding the Chicken Dance. Otherwise, find someone who is just starting out or does it for a hobby.

Band: A more famous one, or one that often performs for weddings would be more expensive than, say, a local coffeeshop performer. Look on Myspace Music for local bands in the genre you want. They may be willing to negotiate prices to accommodate a small budget.

Reception Decor: Purchase the materials and do it yourself or enlist friends' help. You can get vases, candles, rocks, mirrors, ribbons, fabric, etc from discount stores and dollar stores, and find ideas for handmade centerpieces and decorations online.

Reception Rentals (linens, dishes, silverware, wine glasses, decorations, etc): Call around for price comparisons. If you have it at a church or more traditional wedding venue, they may include those things in the price. You can always go with disposable plastic/paper ware, but it's slightly tacky.

Favors: Not 100% necessary, in my opinion. But you can easily make them yourself, like baking cookies and decorating them with your initals, giving a sachet of candies with a cute tag, tying candles with ribbons and raffia in your colors and a little monogram charm, etc. Lot of ideas online, esp from "Real Weddings" on the Knot website and Martha Stewart's website.

For more money-saving ideas, look on the Knot, Indie Bride, or wedding forums.

Good luck!