Frugal wedding tips- can you cut this budget for me?
melaniecampbell asked:
Okaaay!
I have the following left to pay for for the wedding that is September 6th.
DJ- $200
Minister-$200
Marriage license- $100
Bridal party gifts (4 of them) $150
candy buffet (instead of favours) $150
groomsmen golfing morning of wedding- $100
wedding bands- $300
clothing for our kids to wear to wedding- $125
rehersal dinner night before for close family/friends- $250
Hair/makeup- $100
thank you cards for after wedding & shower- $40
Rest of the catering bill- $400 (parents are paying other $3000)
I am thinking about skipping getting my hair & makeup done and doing it myself. I am buying basic blank cards from a craft store and stamping my own thank you cards. We have a contract with the DJ otherwise we would just use a laptop for music… but we can’t now.
We’re not handing out favours, but having a candy buffet. Buying candy in bulk, putting it in bowls and stamping white paper bags with our wedding colours and design.
how can I cut down on bridal party gift costs? I paid for their dresses. I am really trying to keep their gifts at around $100, not the budgeted $150… was thinking about framing a nice picture of me with each of the girls and giving them as gifts, along with a mini spa kit (bath bombs, lotions, scrubs, etc).
I just bought the dress for my daughter on clearance for $19- now my son needs khakis, a white golf shirt, and both kids need shoes.
Was thinking about how to spend less on the rings- a brushed white gold/titanium/silver band for hubby, and a white gold band for myself. Where is the cheapest we can get them? Online is fine, as long as they will arrive on time.
I also need to buy the following–
tea lights
spool of raffia
white paper bags
placecards & bulletin board for place cards
mini plant pots with greenery in them
tulle
green and chocolate brown ribbon
some fake green button mums or something similar
a big wreath form to make a wreath with the flowers
any ways i can cut down these costs even more? I only have like $2000 TOPS for the rest of this! And what is the ettiquette on tipping the caterer/minister/dj?
Thanks!
Related posts:
- Online gift store question? Bazar asked: I want to open an online gift and...
- need advice, info, tips on how to work on plastic canvas, how to knit & crochet? fox asked: I need any leads, advice, tips or places...
- Full Lace wig installers in Los Angeles? Yes we can! asked: Hey everyone, I am an african...
- I am looking for plastic clown (or hobo) hands (approx 2″) and feet (approx 1 1/2″). Where can I order some? liddy asked: The nails on both are painted red. Craft...
Filed Under Weddings |
Tagged With Dinner Night, Titanium Silver, Wedding Colours
Comments
9 Responses to “Frugal wedding tips- can you cut this budget for me?”
For my bridal party gifts I am going to Walmart, Bath and Body Works, and the dollar store and I’m going to fill up a bag for each of them in things that are their favorite scents! I’m buying the dresses, shoes, hair, makeup, manis, pedis, and jewelry for my bridesmaids. All of the groomsmen will get an FYE $25 giftcard. And that’s about all we have money for.
You already bought the bridal party their dresses, so don’t go overboard–go and buy them something simple and inexpensive like that mani/pedi kit.
I personally wouldn’t skimp on hair and make-up. This is a day to indulge yourself with something like that and it’ll look great.
See if you can cut the rehearsal dinner bill. Do something really simple and relaxed–dinner/bbq at your house or pizza. I have a friend who went bowling instead.
Check out dollar stores and on-line for the rest of the stuff you need–you can get a deal…ebay is great for wedding stuff.
Cut down on the rehearsal dinner. Have something like a pizza party or sandwich trays and save there.
Cut down on bridal gifts! No need if you’ve already purchased their dresses. Get them something small. No need to go overboard.
Do the groomsmen really need to go golfing the morning of? I wouldn’t want my groomsmen hitting the 19th hole without eating (because you know the guys never eat and then drink whilst golfing)
Check ebay or resale for your sons clothes. Many times boys dress wear is in pristine condition because it is worn so infrequently. I think you can save there.
Get your hair and makeup done! This is your day…quit sacrificing yourself for the sake of others.
If it comes down to it I would skip the candy buffet.
You can cut down the rehearsal dinner by doing just an out door pick nick at a pretty park and getting a bunck of trayed food like fruit, deli meat ect.. from your local grocery store and borrowing some table to put them on maybe from youre church or something. Decorate then with maybe pictures of you and fiance alone with a pretty table cloth. Depending on the number of guest this could cut like 100 bucks.
I budgetted about 20.00/per bridesmaid for the gifts. I got them pearl necklaces from an Old World Jewelry dealer. They were freshwater pearls and I got a great deal on them.
I shopped the clearance rack at the Gap for my sons pants and found a white shirt at Target. Look for shoes at a TJMaxx or a Target or something.
Check Bluenile.com for rings. Or even Sams Club since you just want white gold bands.
I would also go to the Flowerfactory for the rest of the stuff fo rthe actual wedding. Or look at Hobby Lobby when stuff goes on sale. They have coupons in the sunday paper. You can get white bags at the grocery store like lunch sacks. Tulle you can buy a bolt of it at the fabric store for less than 10.00.
if you get a ring from Sams Club you could buy candy there as well. Get M&Ms and Licorice and Skittles or something….
You could do a Pot Luck type deal for the rehearsal. Or you could make the food yourself? Or even order pizza.
Here are my suggestions:
1. We gave our minister $50, that should be enough especially if you do feed him at the reception also.
2. You bought the bridesmaid’s dresses - that’s enough of a gift for them - most bride’s don’t buy the dresses.
3. Our wedding bands actually came from Walmart - we bought both bands for under $100 and ten years later our bands still look great. And we do wear them constantly so they have had a lot of wear & tear.
4. Try Payless Shoe Source for the kids shoes, they have buy 1 get 1 quite often and are very cheap on thier dressy occasion shoes.
5. Try Michael’s for the rest of your decorating things; they have great sales and good coupons in the paper on most Sundays.
Good luck!
* Shop your local Dollar Store.
* You don’t need the candy buffet & favors are a waste.
* You bought the maids dresses? No need for any other gift. Write them a thank you note.
* Find cheaper kid’s clothing. They’ll grow out of them by next month.
* You have your officiant in place? Are you having a rehearsal? If your officiant doesn’t have to conduct the rehearsal she/he might charge a cheaper price. I do.
* Why do you need to assign seating? Use cards for your reserved seating for special guests, parents, etc. Let everyone else find their own place to sit.
* Call a local beauty school to see if one of their better students would like to do your hair & makeup. Or Sally’s Beauty Supply; they hire retired salon people or people currently in school.
* Kohl’s has some nice wedding bands. If you purchase them on-line they come with in few days.
Cut out the candy buffet, you don’t need favors
Get your hair done, but do your own makeup. Have the bridesmaids pay for their own hair and makeup.
For your bridal party gifts: Get them the picture and some earings to wear at the wedding. you don’t need to spend alot because you bought their dresses
You should be able to get all the things on you list at a local craft store (michaels, hobby lobby, joann fabrics).
Try ebay for your rings. My fiance got a Tungston Carbide ring for 25 dollars!!!
Maybe skip the golf?? Find a less expensive course???
See if you have a local yahoo group called “Freecycle” post a note for the items you need. You would be surprized at the responses. I imagine you know about OrientalTrading.com where you can get bulk stuff cheaply (the mini pots can be gotten there & painted to match decore. They also have a cute craft topiary idea you could have as a center piece as well as the wreath). I’m sure that someone can loan you a bulletin board from thier home office (that would be a wasteful purchase). Do you have any local .99 cent stores ( I get great picture frames for a buck & paint to match decore if needed… hot glue a few of them (6-8) together in a unique arangement like in the trendy catalogues with a couple of photos of you & that person in a frame or two…a saying or sentiment in a couple more & call it a day at $10.00 each girl) See if the local Sewing store has odd pieces or scrap tulle on sale. Ask the place you are getting your bulk candy from to provide the white bags as part of the price or go to your local restaurant supply shop. Since you are stamping your own Thank You cards, just get a standard ream of paper in a heavy card stock (you can get some really nice & fancy paper) cut each 8 1/2 x 11 in half (paper cutter) & you can get 2 cards on one sheet…don’t forget the envelopes…brings your $40.00 budget to about $15 to $20.