Ideas for low cost wedding, please help!!!?

Hi.


I am getting married on the 28th July this year.


I have my wedding dress, my fiancee has his suit, and we have bought our childrens out fits.


We have hired a venue and are having a reception and evening party, people have said we should only have one but I really want both, as we are getting married at 11:30 am (This was the only time they could give us so it cant be changed) and we are getting married in a registry office, so not everyone can come to the service due to it being a small place.


The food has to be done by the the venue people, and so does the dj, which is the venue rules. We are opting for buffets to keep costs down.


I need help with other low costs. The decorations, flowers, cake etc etc (Im not very creative at all ha).


Any tips, ideas etc would be more than grately appreciated, as I am starting to get worried about how we are going to afford it now.





Thanks Niki from uk

Ideas for low cost wedding, please help!!!?
Well I'm not going to write the longest answer but here are some suggestions we did.





Invitations: www.annswedding.com


www.invitationsbydawn.com





both have tons for less than $1 each.





For flowers, I bought my own at Walmart/Sams Club (about $5 a bunch) the day before and put them in vases that I bought at Walmart for around $2-3 dollars each.





Cake-find someone local in the area that just started doing it. I asked tons of friends for recommedations but in the end I used a Medierranean lady who mainly did desserts like Baklava but she was beginning to make cakes and did it very cheaply. A big place that specializes in wedding cakes has jacked up the prices. She did a gorgeous 3 tier, served 120 for less than 400. Walmart does cakes too though. And consider instead buying one of those cake stands that allows you to put seperate cakes on each layer. Then you could just get regular round cakes.





http://www.become.com/shop?q=tiered+cake...





Most people spend a fortune on flowers. If you do something useful--like potted plants you can put in your garden afterwards or big flowers that you can float in water like a sunflower or something--you could only put one flower per table. Or grow your own. Sunflowers grow anywhere and really quickly.
Reply:Are you looking forward to a wonderful Wedding on a realistic budget?





You don't need to spend a fortune to have a wonderful wedding. Making your wedding memorable is to focus on what you want to achieve the most. By focusing on what you need will help you save money for other thing in life!!





You can look at different wedding planning guides in magazines and websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't yourself boxed in by those wedding ideas. Weddings usually come in a much different way than most magazines or writers might suggest.





You should sit down with your fiancé together to outline about what both of you want the MOST for the wedding. Location, guest list, professional wedding photographer, fancy gown and accessories. Put together a list of what both of you really want/need and what you can live without. The goal is to come up with a wedding you'll both love so you will need to compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary,





Once you both agree on list of items that’s most important such as Wedding photographers, caterers, decorators, DJs, florists, musicians, videographers, wedding planners, makeup specialist, hairstyle specialist…etc, you can then start the research for what those wedding vendor’s service will cost. Once you have an idea of what most important to you, list them first as the top priorities and make sure they are affordable. Afterward, you will have to omit some of the more expensive and less important ideas for your wedding.





Search for online wedding site such as





http://www.weddinglenox.com





to compare prices around your area for wedding services.





You might consider getting married on a weekday evening as it is not the most convenient time for people to get out of work early to attend. It is also difficult for your out-of-town guests to take a day off work to join. The good news is that you can get discounts on wedding sites and services. Wedding vendors are usually free on weekend and it is easier to get discounts for any wedding photographers, caterers, decorators, DJs, florists, musicians, videographers, makeup specialist, hairstyle specialist that you chose to use.





If you are careful with timing then it can reduce your reception costs for your wedding. Have you decided the time for you wedding yet? If you want to avoid spend too much on refreshments then plan the wedding and reception outside of mealtime. It is tricky but you can plan it in the afternoon, let say around 2pm. Most people are on the way out before 5pm and you can serve limited light refreshments for few hours. Hiring a wedding caterer sometime could cost less than having your refreshments provided at the location.





It is important to keep in mind that most of your bills will come before or right after the wedding. Talk to your wedding vendors about payment terms, some of them can give you installment for 3-6 months (especially photographers and videographers) but be aware for portion up-front payment for services.





Find a location that is less-traditional. Other than churches, hotels and country clubs, there are still many attractive locations that are suitable for weddings. By doing research, and making phone calls, you will find many less-traditional locations that will cost you considerably less for your wedding. You can try locations such as parks, country inns, public gardens, historic homes, museums, galleries, or even homes of friends or family.





When searching for the less-traditional location, do not just focus on price, but also consider seating, restrooms, food (or catering), dressing areas, security, electrical outlet, or regulations such as alcohol, attire, photography or videography, music, or decorations, etc.).





Plan a smaller budget for the wedding than you could afford. It will be great if it come within your figure but if things turn out to be little more expensive, then you won’t be at the position that you will be at your limit for funds.





Keep a small guest list as more people you invite, you will need a bigger location, more food, and more wedding invitations, etc.





Plan the reception and wedding at the same location. From a guest standpoint, I rather stay at one place than driving around. From the bride and groom’s standpoint, it is much cheaper to have it all in one place.
Reply:Maybe you are not crafty or creative, but chances are you know someone who is. I was very suprised of all the people that seemed to come out of the woodwork to help with my wedding. People LOVE weddings and romance, and actually love to help with these sort of things. Hold a meeting with your family members and friends. Recruit your cousins, siblings and their bf/gf's for decorating. I was so overwhelmed that I cancelled and reordered my cake three times (which my sisters ended up making for me)....and was up to HERE with decorations that I had bought that I had no idea what to do with! So a couple weeks before our big day, I broke down and asked everyone I know to pitch in. It worked out great in the end, and always does. The number one important thing is to try to be as stress free as possible. Dont be afraid to ask for help.
Reply:I bought a lot of things off of EBay. You can get things a lot cheaper than going out and buying them. Good Luck.
Reply:Congrats!!





Save some money like this:





- Make sure that your caterer gives you children pricing for children. They eat less so you shouldnt be paying adult prices for them. Get that agreement in writing. Also see can you get a plate discount if you have more than a certain number of guests. Lots of places will give you a 1-2 discount if you have over 100 guests.





- get all costs incurred with your choice of location written down- to the exact penny. Some places charge you a fee to feed their workers if they are working at that time (scary huh!??) Look for ways to cut those costs such as cutting your own cake instead of having them do it





- Make your own decorations. Go to your local craft store and get supplies that you can use to create what you want. For instance, for my centerpieces I am making a vase with glow lights in them and magic ice (pour water on the ice and it expands to a jelly like substance and will hold the gel sticks in place) and then i am topping off with a tea light. Total cost for 10 tables will be roughly 50 bucks.





-favors- dont give anything with your name on it. Just make some treats and put them in cute little bags. Try using these bags: http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_5507... and put some cookies in them. Add a cute little ribbon to the top (once again glue gun and ribbon under 2 bucks to do all of them!) Most people toss the favors away unless it is something you can use. So if you had your heart set out on embellished wine openers, and you give it to a beer drinker, you just wasted 20 bucks...lol.





Flowers: use silk. this site will price match and give you a discount if they arent the cheapest! http://www.wpetals.com/





More decorations: Use http://orientaltrading.com to get some cool things





-Limit your guest list. Just think that if you eat at 12 bucks per plate and each plate has 3 drinks, you can save over 100 bucks by taking 4-5 people off your list.





- you dont really need all the extra stuff like the chocolate fountain, fireworks, doves, etc. You can make your own bubbles by buying the bottles yourself and filling them with regular dish soap and water. takes some time, but you save oodles!





- cake- get a fake cake. the top layer is the only real one, and the bottom layers are just foam decorated to look like a cake. No one will know the difference as the cake is whisked away right after you cut it. Have two sheet cakes made up by the local grocery store and use that to share with your guests.





Invites: use http://www.sealandsend.net they will send you samples of colors and styles before you actually order and you will save money by not needing all the extra envelopes and whatnot.





these are just a few. Good luck and happy savings!
Reply:for the centerpeices...go to the dollar store and get three candles for each table(three different sizes) take one size each and tie a ribbon around the candles.


the candles and ribbon could be your wedding colors. you could light the candles for more light and for a romantic setting (and to smell good:)


have fun with it. you could be creative. just think about what you like!


good luck!!
Reply:The flowers can be fake and they last longer then real. I had fake flowers and thought they were alot more pretty then real. Also if you have any kind of factory card outlet like shops in your area they will have real nice wedding decorations for a cheap price. I hope that helps
Reply:You need to decide how formal you want the wedding to be. If you are doing informal but dressy here are a couple ideas: Involve your kids in making table centerpieces and seating cards. Seek out a half-price or re-sale book store for ideas. Ask the local community college if they have students in their final studies that can help design and make floral arrangements, decorations, cake, etc. Do you have a friend or a friend of a friend who is looking to expand their business or start a new one who could keep it inexpensive for the advertisement value? Keep it simple and it will have it's own elegant flair.
Reply:For decorations, check out oriental trading company for balloons, favors, etc., check out your local craft store (Michael's) for silk flowers and make your own arrangements... go for a simple but elegant cake and add your own topper. (Check with Michael's as they teach cake decoratig classes and may have a student who would be willing to help at a discount to get a good referral...)


http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...
Reply:okay, when we got married we only invited 12 of our closest friends (+ our families). and after the ceremony we went to a fancy restaurant. food and drinks for all, all nite = less then 1000 pounds!





but you already going for a reception + party so there is NO way you can save!





no decorations,


less flowers,


smaller cake


that's pennies compaired to the pounds you are trowing out with the party and DJ





so my advice:


go really small (with real friends) and save (THEY don't mind)


or go BIG (and spend) for many peple who don't care.





anyway... congratulations!!
Reply:Cakes can be bargained with in any bakery, you just don't let them fool you in to believing that because you are getting married you need to pay more. "you don't!" same with flowers and decorations, If they make you an offer let them know that you will look around and get back to them or if you've already found better offers, let them know, this place is offering you this much.





Anyway Good Luck with your wedding
Reply:For flowers, you can go to a local craft store and buy in expensive silk flowers and make your own arrangements with the types of flowers you would have had, had you used real...you can use them a both parties...





For a cake, don't spend on an expensive wedding cake but have a Viennese table with assorted finger desserts...(save this for your party later!)





For decorations, you really don't need any!





For invitations, order them online because it is cheaper than getting them done at a print shop...plus,. you can create them online first to see them as you create them as well have the proofs emailed to you so you can see them prior to printing...





Minimize your guest list... as for your reception, if you have one, just have a small thing with maybe light sandwiches, salads aand drinks, since your wedding is close to lunchtime...plus, the reception is for your guests, not for you!





I did a lot of this stuff when I got married this past August; it was a second marriage for both of us and since my parents were paying for this one (as they did spend a lot on my first), I found ways to keep costs down...
Reply:You could get dead flowers from out of the garbage. That would save a bit and you could get left over cakes from a restaurant and the end of the day and stick em together. You could get one of those Mex/Nortena Polka bands for like 50 bucks. That stuff isnt important anyway. The most important is that you love eachother.
Reply:rent items instead of buying then, and use clear lights...you can buy the clear string of lights that use batteries instead of electricity.
Reply:First I want to ask about the buffett, Where I am from the buffett is more expensive than a plate dinner so thought you may check that. Next since your wedding is in the summer, go with wild flowers, have a friend pick flowers and put them around to make it festive and cheap. My husband and I got married at my in laws house and it was wonderful and beautiful and very cost effective. I don't know how much you are paying the registry office, but you could come out cheaper to combine it with the party. Another great idea for centerpieces for the tables is go to a cheap dollar store and get clear bowls and buy cheap gold fish for them. It's a great centerpiece and very cheap depending on how many tables you have. Go to the kids crafts and buy a bag of shiny cut out to litter the table with. The wedding cake will probably be costly, but the grooms cake can be made by anyone. Hope that helps some, and if there are more specific things ask them, I have been to and helped with so many weddings lately that there are many ways to cut costs.

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