This post is
dedicated to a short break-down of how my husband and I spent our wedding
budget. I have highlighted some of the tips, suggestions, and ideas from my longer post.To see the detailed (and probably more helpful) version, please click here!
While planning our wedding, I consulted tons of other brides' blogs, articles, tips, and tricks! I could not have done it without their help, so this is my way of giving back. I hope you can find something that helps you!
Here are our Must-Haves:
·
Dancing space at the reception
·
A DJ
·
Real
flowers
·
A coffee
bar
·
A reception venue that was not too far from the
church
·
Enough tables and chairs to fit everyone
·
Freedom to invite as many people as we wanted
Here are our numbers: We invited 350 guests
We
planned for 225 guests to actually come
Our
budget was $5,000
We
had 9 months to plan
Here is how our budget was spent:(Please visit the longer version of this post for the details!)
Venues (Wedding and Reception): $950
Photography/Videography: $500
Music (DJ and Live Band): $445
Paperworks (Invitations, Ceremony Programs):$210
The Snazzy Attire (Bride and Groom's) : $945
Food: $611
Beverages: $224
Decorations (Ceremony and Reception) : ~$755
Decorations (Ceremony and Reception) : ~$755
Miscellaneous Items:~$340
Here Are Some Tips To Planning an Affordable Fantastic Wedding!
Tip #1:
MUST-HAVES. As a starting point, I would recommend making a list of things you absolutely must have for your wedding. When it comes to planning on a budget, you will have to make some sacrifices, so you need to know what you are not willing to sacrifice.
Tip #2:
Know your numbers! Know how many guests you plan to invite, how many you think will actually attend, how much you are willing to spend, and how much time you have to plan.
Know your numbers! Know how many guests you plan to invite, how many you think will actually attend, how much you are willing to spend, and how much time you have to plan.
Tip #3:
Ask for a lower venue price in exchange for filling up hotel rooms! It is a win-win!
Ask for a lower venue price in exchange for filling up hotel rooms! It is a win-win!
Tip #4:
Have the same photographer take your engagement photos. If you use the same photographer for both events, you might get a better or packaged "deal". More importantly, your photographer will get to know you as a couple and you will get to know your photographer. This will make your special day more comfortable for both sides!
Tip#5:
No matter where you find your DJ, insist that you meet in advance. Just like meeting your photographer, it is important that you and the DJ are on the same page. They can serve you best if they know what you want!
 |
Use those college students! You might be able to design your own invitations, but if you are like me and need some help, put up wanted signs on a college campus (or website!) asking for a graphic designer. Lots of talented students would either work for free or a little $!
Tip#7:
No matter if you send out paper RSVPs or do them through a website, you might have a hard time getting everybody to RSVP. At some point you are just going to have to guess how many people are going to show up. A general suggestion is to expect about 60% of the people you invited to show up. This is the number we used and it was just about accurate!
Tip #8:
Ask if you can buy the dress of the rack at bridal salons. A lot of places will give you a discount if you take the sample dress. It might save you $$$!
Tip #9:
The internet has lots of places to buy the kids' outfits, but kiddos grow! So if you are ordering outfits WAY before your wedding, don't forget to account for any growth that will most likely happen!
Tip#10:
To save loads of $$$, plan a reception that avoids a major meal time.
Ask if you can buy the dress of the rack at bridal salons. A lot of places will give you a discount if you take the sample dress. It might save you $$$!
Tip #9:
The internet has lots of places to buy the kids' outfits, but kiddos grow! So if you are ordering outfits WAY before your wedding, don't forget to account for any growth that will most likely happen!
Tip#10:
To save loads of $$$, plan a reception that avoids a major meal time.
Tip#11:
Food that has to be kept chilled or warm will generally cost more $$$ than food that can just be set out. With chilled or hot food, you suddenly are paying for the means to keep it at the right temperature, AND you have to have someone man the food. Try to find things that can be put out in bulk so that you save $$$ and you don't have to exile one of your relatives to the food table.
Tip#12:
Look into catering your beverages. That way someone you love doesn't have to spend your wedding manning the drink table. Catering beverages can be surprisingly cheap!
Tip#13:
DIY is HARD and time consuming, but it is worth it. Make sure you have time, patience, and a great group of friends and family to help. Don't re-invent the wheel, look online to see what other brides have done, if you like it, copy them! Don't pay other people to do what you can do yourself!
Tip#14:
Play to your strengths! Form your theme around what you already have and save $$$. Is your home decorated with a nautical style? Have a beach-themed wedding! Have you collected beautiful art pieces from all over the world? Have a travel-themed wedding! See what I am getting at here? We saved loads of $$$ because we used what we already had!
Tip#15:
Use the Bride's/Bridesmaids' bouquets as decorations at the head table! As an added bonus, your maids will have a place to put their flowers while they are dancing!
Tip#16:
Use the internet! Consult Pinterest, blogs (like this one!), wedding websites, etc to think of affordable wedding decorations! Compile your ideas and start researching to see which ones may be more affordable.
Tip#17:
Don't forget to account for Tipping! A lot of people will work hard to make your day special so remember to show your appreciation!
Venues
Don't
have your heart set on a church and ballroom? Get creative! Look for places that
might not usually hold weddings like: Movie theaters, your neighbor's
barn, a car/history/art museum, a Zoo, a park, a garden, a campground,
stables, a roller rink, a bowling alley, etc! Use your own town's
resources! You can truly have a unique and memorable wedding and you
might find the venue prices are lower at a place that is not exactly
"wedding-centered". Chairs, Tables, and Linens
You
may choose a place where these things are not provided.One cheap option
that I looked into was possibly borrowing/renting tables from local
churches (or a community center). A lot of churches have their own
tables and chairs and might be willing to let you borrow them or rent
them to you for a lower price. It never hurts to ask! This idea is one
that I got from this other bride's post. I got a lot of my own ideas from her post so please check it out!
Now about linens, I would suggest buying them, NOT renting. Their are thousands of brides out there who are selling their wedding linens. Most of the time these linens are in great condition and are far cheaper than renting! Check sites like eBay, http://www.tradesy.com/weddings/, Craigslist, Amazon, and other wedding websites. Another perk of buying linens is that you can resell them later if you want to!
Photography and Videography
We really took advantage of our friends' talents! If you can, I suggest you do too! If you are searching for someone to hire but don't want to pay $$$, look into some photography students. College campuses can be your best friend. There are lots of talented people wanting to fill their photography portfolios! Post wanted signs around campus and I promise you will get some replies! Just make sure that you thoroughly check out their photos before you hire them. Make sure their style, is your style!
Music
(DJ/Band) Put a wanted ad out there. You might find a hidden gem! OR you can always make a playlist of music on a MP3 player and hook it up to a sound system. Think about it, it will be your perfect music because YOU chose it! All you need is an outgoing friend to MC for you!
Invitations and Ceremony Programs
I would definitely recommended going to a local print shop to print your invitations out. Their prices are normally better than ordering them online.OR you could go completely online and make the whole process FREE. Most everyone has an email address so why not send your save-the-dates, invitations, and RSVPs that way?! You can always just print out and mail a copy to the few who don't have an online contact.
If you want to save paper on the ceremony programs, I have seen where brides write their programs out really big on chalkboards, or on a slideshow. Everybody can read the same one and you can use it as a cute decoration!
Accessories
Don't want to pay extra for the blingy accessories? Maybe you could DIY your belt and hair piece! There are plenty of tutorials out on the internet to help with that. Lots of brides make their own veils/belts. OR you could borrow! Use an old family heirloom, or borrow from a friend! OR check those wedding resell sites!
Let them eat cake.....or not!
There are SO many other options out there. It is YOUR wedding, so do what you want! Wedding cakes can be expensive. You can save money by exploring other options. Plus, you might end up with something that you and your guests like better. Pshhh tradition-smadition. You can do cupcakes, cheesecake, donuts, cookies, rice krispie treats, a chocolate mountain! The options are endless! If you are set on that 6-tier cake, then make the display one iced Styrofoam (except for the top where you cut) and feed your guests sheet cake from the back. It tastes the same. They always take the cake to the back to cut anyway so no one will know the difference and you save $$$.
Serving a Meal
If you are set on a larger meal, having a small guest list helps a bunch. Try to have your reception at a place where you can bring your own food. Venue food is often WAY expensive and outside catering can be cheaper. A pasta-related meal is normally a cheap option. Meat is expensive. OR you could have a good old fashioned pot-luck. Have your guests bring a dish instead of a gift. OR look into having a Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch reception instead of dinner, your give your guests a meal but it can be on the lighter side!
Don't want to pay extra for the blingy accessories? Maybe you could DIY your belt and hair piece! There are plenty of tutorials out on the internet to help with that. Lots of brides make their own veils/belts. OR you could borrow! Use an old family heirloom, or borrow from a friend! OR check those wedding resell sites!
Let them eat cake.....or not!
There are SO many other options out there. It is YOUR wedding, so do what you want! Wedding cakes can be expensive. You can save money by exploring other options. Plus, you might end up with something that you and your guests like better. Pshhh tradition-smadition. You can do cupcakes, cheesecake, donuts, cookies, rice krispie treats, a chocolate mountain! The options are endless! If you are set on that 6-tier cake, then make the display one iced Styrofoam (except for the top where you cut) and feed your guests sheet cake from the back. It tastes the same. They always take the cake to the back to cut anyway so no one will know the difference and you save $$$.
Serving a Meal
If you are set on a larger meal, having a small guest list helps a bunch. Try to have your reception at a place where you can bring your own food. Venue food is often WAY expensive and outside catering can be cheaper. A pasta-related meal is normally a cheap option. Meat is expensive. OR you could have a good old fashioned pot-luck. Have your guests bring a dish instead of a gift. OR look into having a Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch reception instead of dinner, your give your guests a meal but it can be on the lighter side!
Beverages
If you have a willing friend/family member who would not mind running the drink table, then by all means, use them! We just decided not to if we could manage not too! Borrow some fancy beverage dispensers and set your own table up! OR create a beverage bar. Buy water bottles. (this isn't the most environmentally friendly option, but water bottle packs are cheap!) I would suggest buying at least two water bottles per guest, even more if your reception is outside OR if there will be a lot of dancing. After you have your water bottles, go buy a bunch of those nifty single bottle flavor packs! (Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Powerade) Now your guests can choose what flavor they want. You could put the different flavors in different containers and make it look really cute! I don't really have any suggestions for alcohol (sorry!) We never planned to have any at our wedding so I have done 0 research on that subject.
Flowers
Buy your flowers from a local farmer OR buy them online from Sam's Club! If you are not set on real flowers, buy fake ones OR make paper flowers! If you are not set on flowers, I have seen brides use little windmills, lanterns, purses, etc.
Centerpieces
There are so many more centerpiece options out there besides flowers in a vase (plus flowers cost $$$!). Get creative! Display your favorite quote or picture. Use your food as a centerpiece with different types of cakes/cupcakes/pies at each table. Set up a board game at each table OR head to a flea market and pick up some cool knick-knacks that match your theme!
Wedding Party Gifts
For a more affordable gift, you can go the DIY route with personalized dress hangers, picture frames, jewelry etc. OR consider taking you wedding party out for a fun experience instead. (free concert, paint balling, canoeing, camping, bowling, laser tag, serve them a fancy dinner) Use the resources you have access to! For the kiddos, go to a local used bookstore and pick out some books for their age. Most kids love to read and the knowledge they will gain from the books will last longer than a toy!
Other Ways We Saved $$$:
Parents' Gift:
Transportation:
If you have a willing friend/family member who would not mind running the drink table, then by all means, use them! We just decided not to if we could manage not too! Borrow some fancy beverage dispensers and set your own table up! OR create a beverage bar. Buy water bottles. (this isn't the most environmentally friendly option, but water bottle packs are cheap!) I would suggest buying at least two water bottles per guest, even more if your reception is outside OR if there will be a lot of dancing. After you have your water bottles, go buy a bunch of those nifty single bottle flavor packs! (Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Powerade) Now your guests can choose what flavor they want. You could put the different flavors in different containers and make it look really cute! I don't really have any suggestions for alcohol (sorry!) We never planned to have any at our wedding so I have done 0 research on that subject.
Flowers Buy your flowers from a local farmer OR buy them online from Sam's Club! If you are not set on real flowers, buy fake ones OR make paper flowers! If you are not set on flowers, I have seen brides use little windmills, lanterns, purses, etc.
Centerpieces
There are so many more centerpiece options out there besides flowers in a vase (plus flowers cost $$$!). Get creative! Display your favorite quote or picture. Use your food as a centerpiece with different types of cakes/cupcakes/pies at each table. Set up a board game at each table OR head to a flea market and pick up some cool knick-knacks that match your theme!
Wedding Party Gifts
For a more affordable gift, you can go the DIY route with personalized dress hangers, picture frames, jewelry etc. OR consider taking you wedding party out for a fun experience instead. (free concert, paint balling, canoeing, camping, bowling, laser tag, serve them a fancy dinner) Use the resources you have access to! For the kiddos, go to a local used bookstore and pick out some books for their age. Most kids love to read and the knowledge they will gain from the books will last longer than a toy!
Other Ways We Saved $$$:
Parents' Gift: - Just like our letters on the Mason Jars (see longer post), we each wrote our parents letters and put them on jars with the materials we already had.
- Instead of paying for birdseed, bubbles, sparklers, or ribbons, we had our guests form a line and put up their arms for us to go under. We felt very loved and the pictures looked very cute!
Transportation:- It was not important for us to have a fancy getaway car so we just used our own!
- A good friend of ours (Thank you Natalie Morgan!) is a stylist and she offered to do my hair and makeup as a gift. It was such a blessing to have her with me all morning! All of my girls did their own hair and makeup. I just wanted them to be comfortable so I didn't care if they matched or not!
- We planned and designed our own wedding. I asked my mentor/friend, Jo Beth, to come to the rehearsal so that she could direct the ceremony. I loved sharing those moments with her!
Kids' Ceremony Items:
- We made the "Here Comes the Bride Sign" and the heart ring holder at my in-laws' wood shop. I decorated a basket that we already owned for the flower girl. We bought a $1 book at a used book store and cut the pages into paper hearts for the flower girl to throw instead of actual flowers.
Elbow Grease:
- Almost everything we used, we made ourselves. We DIY'd everything. We saved by not having to pay other people to make our stuff!
So there you have it! *Drum roll please!.........*
TOTAL COST FOR OUR WEDDING: $4,980
We loved every minute of our wedding and we did not have to pay an arm and a leg for it!
It took a LOT of: work, help from our family/friends, research, time, love, creativity, and a LOT of help from other brides. So please, share this with your fellow brides/grooms! And know that you CAN do it!
For more details on our wedding go here.
Please leave a comment:
- Letting me know how your own wedding adventure goes!
- If you have a question!
- If you have another suggestion/resource about $$$-saving that I left out!
- If you have a suggestion for a new wedding/honeymoon related post!
- If you have a suggestion on how I can better improve this post!
- If you want to say hi!
And don't forget to follow me for future wedding posts and future teaching posts!
I hope this helps you a half as much as other brides have helped me!
Always,
KP
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