Heidi
Anyone have any cheap wedding ideas? flowers? food? decorations?
I am trying to keep the wedding as inexpensive as possible because we don't have a lot of money and we do not have help from our family either (on a money point of view). I was thinking instead of like a full course meal maybe more of like a buffet style with cheaper foods? Any food ideas?
Answer
In general, non-traditional wedding days are cheaper (Friday night, Sunday afternoon), and non-traditional times (morning, early afternoon, late night) 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.
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, and a full course sit-down meal is the most expensive route. 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.
As far as cheap food ideas, meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal, so you want to limit that as much as possible. Chicken or fish is generally cheaper than beef/ steak. Cutting it up in something like chicken fettucine alfredo is cheaper than just serving a big hunk of it. Supplementing the meat dish with simpler things like fruits (apples, grapes, strawberries, pineapples), vegetables (mashed potatoes, green beans), and breads/grains (rolls, rice) will seems like a lot of food but shouldn't be that expensive. Have the cake be your only dessert. Call several caterers and restaurants which do catering to get price estimates on various dishes and decide from there.
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).
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).
In general, non-traditional wedding days are cheaper (Friday night, Sunday afternoon), and non-traditional times (morning, early afternoon, late night) 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.
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, and a full course sit-down meal is the most expensive route. 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.
As far as cheap food ideas, meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal, so you want to limit that as much as possible. Chicken or fish is generally cheaper than beef/ steak. Cutting it up in something like chicken fettucine alfredo is cheaper than just serving a big hunk of it. Supplementing the meat dish with simpler things like fruits (apples, grapes, strawberries, pineapples), vegetables (mashed potatoes, green beans), and breads/grains (rolls, rice) will seems like a lot of food but shouldn't be that expensive. Have the cake be your only dessert. Call several caterers and restaurants which do catering to get price estimates on various dishes and decide from there.
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).
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).
How much do you think your bridesmaids are spending on your wedding?
Naughty
Between the dresses, shoes, bridal shower, shower gift, bachelorette party, and your wedding gift?
Answer
dress & alterations $300-400
shoes $50-75
hosting portion of shower $200
shower gift $50
wedding gift $100
bachelorette party $50
travel, time off work, hotel- $500
dress for rehearsal $75
hair, makeup, nails $100
damn it adds up!
dress & alterations $300-400
shoes $50-75
hosting portion of shower $200
shower gift $50
wedding gift $100
bachelorette party $50
travel, time off work, hotel- $500
dress for rehearsal $75
hair, makeup, nails $100
damn it adds up!
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