Hey everyone,
I’m getting married the end of may. I want my ceremony to be outside and my reception inside. or should I also have it outside??
the theme of my wedding is EXTREMELY ROMANTIC. I want everything to be ultra romantic and candle-lite ect.
So I am just looking for cheap and creative ideas. my budget is $10,000 for the ceremony and reception- but the more money we save the better honeymoon we get 
so we are both trying to save every penny we can.
thank you soo much for any tips/ ideas/ advice/ do & don’t it’s VERY helpful!!!
:-)
1. print the invitations yourselves. There are kits from Michael’s (or any craft store), Wal-Mart and Target available that are beautiful and easily customized.
2. Find a venue that does not require a ton of decorating. Places with naturally beautiful views, murals, colors, etc. will save you from having to buy strings of lights, fake flowers, etc.
I would also suggest having an indoor reception. Think all that food mixed with weather issues (wind, sun, rain, etc.) and bugs and noise and all sorts of other things. Plus a cheap way of decorating is to get big boxes of small candles- easier done indoors.
3. Limit yourself. The smaller the wedding, the less you pay.Don’t go crazy inviting every friend & co-worker.
The less booze (open bar as opposed to say, beer and wine), the better. Limit your menu - and your appetizers, if you are having a full dinner.
*we had dinner “family style” meaning that large platters of food were placed on the tables in place of individually plated meals. Saved on money with the caterer and we didn’t have to do center pieces!!
4. Choose flowers in season, or use silks- a bonus on silks is that you can make them ahead (very easily done).
charitablean save money on favors by either making a chairtable donation (then putting out carcharityng a donation has been made in their honor to chairty of your choice) or perhaps skipping them altogether.
**If you haven’t already, sit down with the families and ask if they are helping at all, and how. Some may want to help in a specific area, while others may want to contribute a given amount. It’s good to know your budget ahead of time.
Don’t buy little things here & there, unless you really know you want them. Otherwise you’ll end up with bags full of crafts in your wedding colors!
Good luck & Congrats!
October 21st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Well if you want everything candle lit, I would suggest inside. You should also have a band playing so everyone can have fun dancing.
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October 21st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Use lots of candles. Definately have it inside if you want it to be romantic. Dim the lights then, use white christmas lights and lots of candles. Fake rose petals and lots of cloth, tulle, and bows. Having some real flowers on the cake table and guestbook table will also give a romantic touch. use chocolate favors since chocolate is very romantic.
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October 21st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
After every holiday, check the clearance sales for things you can use. White Christmas lights and white ribbon after Christmas make wonderful decorations. Best wishes~
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October 21st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Have the reception inside. Outside receptions can be really difficult - I know - we had one for my daughter and it was unseasonably warm and miserable.
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October 21st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I have an idea that doesn't cost a penny, but is worth a million. Make sure to honor your parents and his parents in some special way…either a well thought out toast or a handwritten thank you note or both. You might even ask them to take part in the ceremony in a special way by reading a scripture or other reading, saying a prayer or lighting candles. Lavish them with thanks for all they've done for you two. Congratulations…..oh, and maybe a Maypole at the reception would be fun! Just a tall pole with streamers. Google it if you need the whole story and how you do the dance!
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October 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
well I hope that some of these tips will help you.
Twelve Months Before
Buy a wedding planner or date book
Determine budget with fiance’
Determine the date of the wedding
Choose the location for the ceremony and reception (make reservations)
Determine style –European, American, formal, informal and select colors –which can also be your theme
Select your attendants and ushers
Hire a wedding consultant – optional
Book photographer and videographer
Book musicians
Book florist
Nine Months Before
Make appointment to visit clergy or judge with fiancé’
Begin development of guest lists: four separate lists are prepared to determine who is invited . The bride, her parents , the bridegroom, and his parents each compile lists of relatives and friends , without consulting each other,.
Register for wedding gifts with fiancé’
Visit travel agent to make honeymoon plans
Hire a bakery chef
Book limousine service
Order invitations, announcements, and stationery
Hire calligrapher ( optional)
Complete honeymoon plans with travel agent
Select and order bridal attendants dress, headpieces, and accessories
Select bridegroom’s wedding wear
Select groom’s wedding wear
Order wedding rings and engraving
Three Months Before
Complete master guest list and start addressing invitation envelopes
Think about attendant’s –gifts
Plan recording and display of gifts
Reserve a block of rooms at a local hotel for out –of –town guests
Get a physicl-although not a prerequisite in many states, a good idea anyway
Book a hairdresser and discuss a particular hairstyle
Confirm with dress shop or seamstree the delivery date of gown
Select and purchase your trousseau
Mail invitations Pick up wedding rings
Buy wedding gift for groom
Select and purchase attendants gifts
Have a final dress and bridal veil fitting
Sit for portrait
Send announcements to newspapers’
Submit special music list to band or DJ
Plan party for bridesmaids
As wedding gifts arrive , send thank-you notes.
Two weeks Before
Get marriage license with fiancé’
Address wedding announcements for mailing on wedding day
Start packing and prepare going –away outfit
One week Before
Give final count of guests to caterer
Purchase traveler’s checks and foreign currency if necessary
Give bridesmaids luncheon or party
Move clothing and other items to your new apartment or house
Finalize details with florist, photographer/videographer, chauffeur, etc
Confirm rehearsal date and dinner details, which should take place two to three days before ceremony *
allow time for other last minute details.
Give attendants their gifts on that night.
Also have you tried youtube for making your own favors. I have some links . I hope these will help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnDiMqLR-EA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XiGycT19M4
wedding flowers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieP97FqZo5U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gWLWH9pDF4
May you have a wonderful wedding
References :
best-wedding-dress.com
October 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I am planning my wedding and paying for it on my own! First no matter what stick with your budget! I Would Say to have it both outside for the vibe you are looking for! I am have both outside at Radisson hotel by a huge pool area which i think is so sexy and romantic! Plus if you have it outside there could be more room and if there is rain use the ballroom has a back up ! The candle light is a great idea I am having over 1000 candles! also if you want to keep at your budget you need to keep your guest list down! most place make you pay person . Unless you find a place that caters in! Which is a great way to go! What ever you do. make it reflect you and your husband to be! And no matter what any one elsa says do what you want ! I have alot of ideas but first is finding the loction! then work from there! good luck to you!
References :
October 21st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
1. print the invitations yourselves. There are kits from Michael’s (or any craft store), Wal-Mart and Target available that are beautiful and easily customized.
2. Find a venue that does not require a ton of decorating. Places with naturally beautiful views, murals, colors, etc. will save you from having to buy strings of lights, fake flowers, etc.
I would also suggest having an indoor reception. Think all that food mixed with weather issues (wind, sun, rain, etc.) and bugs and noise and all sorts of other things. Plus a cheap way of decorating is to get big boxes of small candles- easier done indoors.
3. Limit yourself. The smaller the wedding, the less you pay.Don’t go crazy inviting every friend & co-worker.
The less booze (open bar as opposed to say, beer and wine), the better. Limit your menu - and your appetizers, if you are having a full dinner.
*we had dinner “family style” meaning that large platters of food were placed on the tables in place of individually plated meals. Saved on money with the caterer and we didn’t have to do center pieces!!
4. Choose flowers in season, or use silks- a bonus on silks is that you can make them ahead (very easily done).
charitablean save money on favors by either making a chairtable donation (then putting out carcharityng a donation has been made in their honor to chairty of your choice) or perhaps skipping them altogether.
**If you haven’t already, sit down with the families and ask if they are helping at all, and how. Some may want to help in a specific area, while others may want to contribute a given amount. It’s good to know your budget ahead of time.
Don’t buy little things here & there, unless you really know you want them. Otherwise you’ll end up with bags full of crafts in your wedding colors!
Good luck & Congrats!
References :
October 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I agree that an inside reception is the way to go, especially if you are going to be using candles. If there is any kind of breeze outside, you’d have to appoint a candle re-lighter just to keep them lit! Another thing you can do for romantic lighting at the reception is to wrap white mini-lights inside tulle and use that to decorate around the hall. JoAnn Fabric usually has a huge sale the day after Thanksgiving, plus they always have coupons in the newspaper. Go to a craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and buy inexpensive glass bowls, then use floating candles for the centerpieces at the reception tables. It never hurts to ask a manager if you can get a bulk discount if you are buying a large quantity, you may or may not get one, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Ask friends who have gotten married if they have left-over decorations-pew bows tend to be really easy to re-use, as are some other decorations, and nobody has to know you didn’t buy new things. Congrats and good luck!
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October 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
One of my favorite tips is:
Tell your florist how much you are willing to spend on centerpieces. I did a wedding where the bride told the florist she wanted to spend $10 a centerpieces and they were GORGEOUS. You can also add candles on every other table to reduce the price even more.
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For more information and tidbits check out my blog:
http://www.uniquelyyouplanning.com/
October 21st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
There are a lot of tips out there, but probably the most useful thing that I did was use paint sample cards from Home Depot (or you can get them from Lowes) to match up to the colors I chose for the wedding. The paint cards are free, and you can hand them out to vendors to match decorations to the colors you want. My mom really liked having them to use, too.
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October 21st, 2008 at 6:16 pm
OK, this might be a little unnecessary, but helpful. Take some ultra-wide ribbon and write the names of the guests that are coming in permanent marker and tie the ribbons to the chairs.
If some children are coming to the wedding, give them each some bubbles, fill a plastic bowl with punch, and put a ladle in the bowl. While they're occupied, you and the adults can party.
Have a milk bottle and glue confetti, sequins, and glitter to it and put flowers in the milk bottle.
After every holiday, go to stores and buy stuff from clearance sales. You can use Christmas lights, some candy from Halloween, (for kids that are coming) and baskets for flower girls from Easter.
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Your friendly neighborhood Nabooan Queen
October 21st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Are you under a covered area? You can run white christmas lights, put it around a trellis, etc. Otherwise tealights are cheap, and if you put them strategically, it would be very pretty. We went to a little church in the country where we only paid a small donation. Did the wedding inside which was cute and intimate, and made as much of the food as we could or could get our family to make and made that part more of a party/potluck instead of formal. We were way under $10000 just for cutting back the food.
By the way we had an outside reception. We checked farmer's alamac to see the likelihood of rain that day, and it was minimal. We did have a covered area where candles, fake flowers, lights, etc adorned the tables and entry way. It was pretty.
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