My fiance and I only have a budget of $10 000 for our wedding for 150 guests. We can't cut the list any more because my future husband has a HUGE family and there would be a lot of hurt feelings and a major uproar if we excluded anyone else. I also would like it to be a nice wedding. A back yard cook-off or a cheapo cocktail reception doesn't appeal to me (and wouldn't be fair to guest who are travelling far for our special day!). I think I can pull it off, I just need to pull out every trick in the book!
Here is what we got so far:
-I found a lovely banquet hall which will cost between $4000-$5000 for 150 people. This includes decorations, food, set up and take down, cake cutting, sparkling wine for toasts, etc. However, it will be a cash bar.
-my fiance's uncle is a professional DJ, and will dj our reception as a wedding gift.
-my fiance's family has a close friend who is a professional photographer, who will only charge us the prints of our pictures.
-a cousin works at a cake decorating shop, and can give us a great price on a wedding cake (though I may look for an even cheaper option).
-my fiance's father is a minister. He will be marrying us in his church so we don't have to worry about paying the officiant or renting out a ceremony venue.
-I'm trying on dresses at bridal shops, then buying the dress I like online for a savings of 50%. I have had friends who have done this with a particular company and have had great success.
-I will be baking sugar cookies using a bell cookie cutter (wedding bells) and decorating them with our initials and wedding date, and use them as wedding favours.
-I want to make my own flower arrangements and bouquets, but I need to find a good wholesaler of either silk or real wedding flowers (preferably silk so I can make them way ahead of time to save myself stress)
-I plan to make my own centrepieces but I'm not very creative so I need ideas that won't break the bank!
-I hope to make my own wedding invitations and programs but I need a place that will sell inexpensive and nice card stock, envelopes, program paper!
-I will have people RSVP via phone or email to save myself money on response cards and postage.
Would anyone like to help me with what I have so so? Or does anyone have any other cost saving tips? Thanks.
Wow…. I think you covered a lot. Anyway, my advice to you is get out staring Friday and hit the After Holiday Sales. All kinds of paper, decor, candles, stationary and such will be on sale. I was in Pier 1 a few days ago and they had lots of stuff for 30%-50% off and I'm sure they will mark them down even lower. A majority of the stuff has a strong holiday theme, but there is plenty of things that can be used throughout the year as well. I would suggest using gold/red or gold/black as your colors? Lots of holiday candles and stationary will have gold as a color, but isn't themed to Christmas or any specific holiday. It just look festive more than anything. But, you could definetely get away with using it for your wedding.
Look for additional coupons in the newspaper or even online.
I think you could do your stationary, centerpieces and favors for way less than $1,000,maybe even less.