Tips on planning a cheap wedding??

My parents are giving us 5,000 to have the wedding. We're going to have it at the chapel on the campus where we both graduated college from, but as far as the reception goes, i'm completely clueless. I'll be wearing the dress my mom and grandmother wore, but change it a little because its very 80's, so i'm only anticipating paying for alterations to rework the dress. its going to be for around 120 people, and the reception can be kind of casual, extra formal isn't our style. we're not too concerned with a cake or anything either. a sheet cake will suffice lol. i would say the most important things that we want to spend money on are photography, some (not a lot) flowers, and the reception. any tips would help =)

Tips on planning a cheap wedding??
I have a budget of $5000 as well. Rest assured, it is very easy to stay below this amount! Some great ways to keep the wedding cheap are to choose a ceremony location that is cheap or free (which I am assuming that the school charged little or none).





Another great way to save money is to have just a cake and punch reception. I would suggest you don't skimp on the cake though because that is something people are always excited to see! They can be so lovely. And they don't have to be expensive. Did you know that Super Walmarts make wedding cakes? They charge very little compared to other companies! Though a cake and punch reception is not much, simplicity is the key. It can still be elegant and beautiful!





You're saving on the dress, so that's good.





I say cut back on flowers because those get expensive. If you don't want to skimp on those, then make sure you choose flowers that are in season so they needn't be shipped a far distance. Fake flowers are also another option, of course.





Photography is something that is most important to me as well! It is one place that I must have perfection! To save money in that regard, just make sure you have a good photographer, check and double check the contract, try to get your proofs, etc.





For jewelry, stop by Claire's, Icing, Target, Walmart, etc. I got my gorgeous necklace and earrings that match my dress perfectly from Icing in the mall for $20.





Get decorations, flower girl baskets, ring bearer pillows, etc. from craft stores like Michael's and hobby lobby. Look for coupons because each of those places has great coupons every week!





Well, that's just a few of my suggestions. Congrats on your wedding and good luck!
Reply:My husband and I spent around $1000 on our wedding. I printed our invitations on the computer and then embellished them a little bit with some fancy paper. I used silk flowers that I had gotten on sale at a craft store, and arranged them ahead of time. The reception was in the afternoon and we did a buffet kind of thing with lunchmeats, cheeses, rolls, fruit and veggie trays, and then we just had a couple of sheet cakes from Costco...yummy, pretty and affordable. :) As far as the photography I'm afraid I don't have much advice. We just had a friend from church take the pictures, and my brother did the video taping.
Reply:I would just check all the websites, magazines %26amp; books (check them out @ the library or talk to someone you know who recently got married) for thrifty ideas. It is possible to have a fantastic reception on a budget, you just have to get creative. Choose a location that is not expensive, but will get you the most for your money, if possible. One thing I will suggest to you, from experience, do NOT skimp on the photography. Pull strings other places, but the pictures will be there forever. Get the best photography you can for your budget! Good luck %26amp; Congrats!
Reply:Contact local parks. Rental space is often free you just have to apply for a permit. You can set up a tent, rent some tables and chairs and get buffet catering. Even to get a wait staff is really cheap check your local newspaper or craigs list. Usually about $200 for a staff of four for 4 people. Most important is some food and alcohol at a wedding. If your not that into a cake try wedding cupcakes. You can stack them like a cake (go to an art store adn by cake tier). This is very trendy and cute now. Do your wedding colors or all just white. If you want to save on alcohol just do wine and beer.
Reply:Find a package deal type of situation..... I've decided to elope- but while I was trying to budget- I found that there are places that do mini receptions...... they serve appetizers and wine.... (if you do something like this- ensure the invitations state that it's wine and hor deuvres.... rather than a dinner reception).....


I also saw something that was offering a luncheon reception after the ceremony...... just a couple of hours.... but elegant- and SOOOO much cheaper.....


good luck:)
Reply:justice of the peace
Reply:Try look at www.craigslist.com and then search under your city and then go to the events services section. (it's at the bottom) You can often find services for alot cheaper. I found my photographer on there for $100 for 4 hours of service and a CD with ALL my pictures and a copyright release so I could print the pictures myself. They were giving such a good deal because they were trying to build there wedding portfolio but they knew what they were doing and i was so happy with my pictures. You can also find DJ's, cakes, flowers etc on there. They are usually companies or individuals who are either advertising their services or do it on the side from their other jobs. Check it out!
Reply:you could do a buffet for the reception and make the food ahead of time, such as salads and cold meats or soemthing like that, get a friend to put it on a buffet table.


Do you know anyone who take good photos?? Call on all yoru friends to help out, they might know someone who can help out and probably not charge too much.


Hope that helps and congraluations and good luck for the future.
Reply:http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...
Reply:My husband and I got married for roughly 8000 dollars. We had about 225 people. There were a lot of hours put in to make it pretty, but that is the way to go. We got married and had our reception at a middle class "knights of colombus" type of venue. They had an exclusive caterer and I think that that was roughly 2000 for chicken, roast beef, green bean/almond, mashed potatoes, punch, coffee, rolls, and salad. We had a fall "themed" wedding. A lot of our decorations came from craft stores and dollar stores. We bought all of our brides maids dresses. The flowers were all silk/fake! We bought some wire, floral tape, hot glue dipping pot, and away we went. this was flowers for 4 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen, and about 20 family members. Just focus on puting as much labor into it yourself instead of hiring people to do it. Use your family and friends as your most valuable resources. Also, check out your formal wear stores. We went to Savvi and they offered 100 free invitations from a card shop. They were simple, but we added a little ribbon to them to make them fancy! Look at www.theknot.com. There are lots of good ideas for making things as frugal as possible! Congratulations and Good Luck on your wedding.
Reply:Go and buy you a digital camera and have someone (a friend) to take your pictures pf the wedding. Why not rent the building on campus where people have activities to have your reception
Reply:DIY the flowers that will make them cheaper but still pretty.Silk is just is just as good as real.A buffet style dinner will be cheaper the sit down. Look around at different style caterers for the best price. At the college do they have a photography class. If so try to get a senior or a junior to do the work. You can get it for less just ask to see the work. Most will need to have work put in there portfolios%26gt; If they do not have a class like that then try a technical school. Al so try a cooking school for some one to do the reception and cake.


IF you really love the dress you Will be wearing that is great but if the alterations will cost more then a dress at David's bridle 99.00 then you might want to look at a norther way. A bridesmaid's dress can be used and no will know unless you tell them. Good luck with your wedding.
Reply:why not have a small wedding cake made and have wedding cupcakes made and placed around the cake. Serve finger sandwiches and chips, mints and drinks. look for your flowers now and use silk, that way you have great keepsakes and they are cheaper.
Reply:ok then....





get bridemaids to pay for their own dresses





get groomsmen to pay for their own suits





get married on a weekday





shop around for da best price as possible
Reply:ok some people waist a fortune on glass plates and metal forks spoons. MAKE THEM PLASTIC. It realy saves you alot. Oh and go easy on the salads. Dont have like 12 different salids. Pick like 3 and stick to them. Mashed potatoes is most popular at weddings. But sliced potatoes (Baked) like divided into fourth fills you up faster. Fish costs alot dont over do it their either. Drinks are a must. Something like ginger ale or coke goes great. Wine costs too much. I have been to like 30 wedings last year and thees help most.

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