Ask the Wedding Expert: Budgets & More

Hello and welcome!

Anything is possible- it just depends on how creative you want to get.  How about having your reception at a local park (preferably with a shelter in case it rains!)?  You can focus your money on food and decorations.  If you're good at cooking you can make some options, otherwise depending on the number of people you can cater it and do something less fancy (doesn't have to be a bbq but one of the best wedding receptions I went too was a low key bbq in the park with lots of games).  Otherwise, decide what you want your priority to be and then focus your money there.  You may have to find a friend to be the photographer, minimize flowers and have a less than ideal location but at least your friends and family will be there to support you!

Some people opt for punch and cake or asking guests to chip in.  I'm opposed to these personally but they are options.  I'm not sure how many people you want to include in your wedding but you can definitely do something for $1,000.

Good luck!

Melissa

Yes, you can do it! It's going to take a lot of extra legwork, but I'm finding that lots of reception sites are experiencing cancellations for wedding dates of less than 6 months away, and these sites want to book those dates! So they're offering massive discounts you might be able to tap into. Just be sure to research each site and vendor well, since you want to be sure you're shopping smart.

Get on mailing lists at bridal gown shops so that you know when their clearance and sample sales are, and you'll get a gown for 75% off or more...plus accessories.

I love the idea of a dessert reception instead of a sit-down dinner. It's something different that guests love and costs far, far less. Also, a breakfast or brunch reception also costs minimal amounts.

Borrow as much as you can, from your veil to your ring pillows and every other item, from recently married friends.

DIY as much as you can, especially invitations that can be made on the cheap and it's fun to work on together. Paper is super-expensive at office supply stores, and I'm a huge fan of using coupons, coupons, coupons. Ask everyone you know to save their craft and office supply store coupons for you...even Target is a great place to shop for paper supplies.

And I'm hearing from a lot of brides who self-cater their brunch or cocktail receptions with platters from Costco.

Lots more money-saving ideas in my book 1000 Best Wedding Bargains at www.sharonnaylor.net, including where to get things for free, and chop down the most expensive parts of a wedding.

You can do it! Don't be sad! Look at this as a challenge, and make it a kind of game to net the best deals all over the place. And here's a secret that guests LOVE: if they can help you out and DIY some stuff for you, you'll make that their wedding gift to you. Which saves them a lot of money when they don't have to give you a pricy gift. And it's great to have personally-made items!

Good luck!

Let me know if I can help out with any additional ideas!

Get married outdoors in a beautiful FREE location.  Do not have a dinner.  Have the top two tiers on teh cake done and have sheet cake matches for the guests. Serve water, lemonade, and tea. Go a bit more casual on your dress(and hit the sales) and have your fiance wear a suit. Make the invitations and decorations with your bridesmaids. You should be able to get married for under $1,000 this way. The ceremony lasts only 20 min, the debt you'd accrue from a wedding like what you'd see on tv will take years and years to pay off and will only create stress on the marriage. That is no way to begin. Make this ceremony about the love and not about the stuff. (oh, and don't forget to ask your parents for help!)

Good luck!

You can do it....I have a very small budget and you can find beautiful silk flowers, look at ebay for other decorations.  I've been buying tons of stuff from there, brides that have just been married just want to get rid of their stuff and sell it real cheap so they know it will be sold. 

I know this will sound real cheap but oh well...lol.  Anyway, I even bought my wedding dress on ebay (from one of the stores that I reasearched for a few weeks before buying),  I paid $195 total for my dress (the shipping cost more than the dress). I got it last week, it was BEAUTIFUL!!  And it fit perfectly.  I don't have to have any alterations. 

The food I'm just doing appetizers, and cake.  At my church we can't have alcohol so I don't have to worry about that.  Anyway, good luck and have your bridesmaids help with DIY projects.