Welcome. Post your advice and ideas for saving money on your wedding! Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
CaliGirl21
Mar 10, 2004, 1:50 AM
Post #2 of 7
(8600 views)
Re: [TWQadmin] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
I have saved so much money on wedding items such as my tiara and veil and candles on EBay. My tiara that is $90-110 in the stores I bought for $39.00 and my veil that is retail of about $80-90, I bought for $26.99 and I also got a great deal on white votive candles vanilla scented for the reception 72 of them for only $10. -Barb-
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Dec 9, 2006, 7:46 PM)
SamanthaAkemi
Jun 9, 2004, 10:13 PM
Post #3 of 7
(8232 views)
Re: [CaliGirl21] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
Wedding Savings List (based on industry averages)
I am really proud of my potential savings so far. Our budget is set now, so that we know how much to save. Time is my substitute for money! I really love doing this stuff anyways… I don’t think the integrity of the event will be ruined. I have done a million events before.
Dress – off the rack, white prom dress (savings $730)
Cake – Publix grocery store wedding cake (savings $230)
Reception/catering for 125 people – having local, well-known restaurant cater; reception hall is at a local resort and includes some rentals (this was a referral from the Chamber of Commerce); well-known, but inexpensive DJ; beverages from Sam’s Club; champagne for toasting only (savings $5,000)
Groom’s Cake – A Southern tradition, making from scratch (savings $40+)
Headpiece – from Wal-mart (savings $140)
Stationary – making own invitations, save the date cards, programs, thank you notes on computer (savings $190 including stamps)
Flowers/decorations – getting flowers from Walmart.com and making own boutonnières, bouquets, decorations with the help of family/friends (savings $880)
Ceremony – site is free (outside); friend is officiant (savings $150)
Limo rental – not doing (savings $430)
Photography – photographer will let me keep the negatives and will put on CD; includes coverage of rehearsal, ceremony, reception (savings $250+)
Wedding rings – our jeweler (savings $940)
Favors – not doing (savings $240)
Videography – not doing (savings $1,000)
Honeymoon – not doing, but spending the week before the wedding in Destin, FL with wedding party/family (savings $2,470)
Rehearsal Dinner for 30-35 people– home cooked meal (savings $700)
Bride’s Alterations and Accessories – friend doing alterations (savings $240)
Groom’s tux – free if we rent five other tuxes at least (savings $100)
Attendant/Parent Gifts – making gifts (savings $450)
Bride’s Make-up – Mary Kay rep doing makeup for free (savings $20+)
Ceremony Music – CD or student musician (savings $50)
Total Savings: $14,250!
Savings for Wedding Party:
Lodging – renting beach house (instead of a hotel) and providing them food (savings $920/person)
Makeup – Mary Kay rep doing makeup for free (savings $20+/person)
Attire – Probably will be a discount on attire from wherever we get the dresses or tuxes
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Jul 30, 2004, 6:22 PM)
purple
Deleted
Jul 23, 2004, 10:36 AM
Post #4 of 7
(7863 views)
Re: [TWQadmin] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
Ideas:
1) If using silk flowers, consider red. Red flowers go on sale after XMas, fall, 4th of July, Valentine's Day, etc. Savings are substantial. I saved 90%. Also type in "discount silk flowers" into your search engine. You will find steep discounts.
2) Consider a destination wedding that has packages. I saved 50%, and the whole thing will be done much more elegantly than I could have done myself.
3) Check out the idfoundation.org. A lot of good ideas there.
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Jul 23, 2004, 10:50 AM)
leahsloan04
Oct 10, 2004, 4:24 PM
Post #5 of 7
(7327 views)
Re: [TWQadmin] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
I saved a ton of money by going to a retail dress shop that is so full that you have to squeeze by th racks just to move around. I got my dress for $150 and I have seen one almost exactly like it for $600! My bridesmades also got their dresses there for under $50. I saved on their dresses by having many shades of blue rather than just one in my wedding and on them.
I also saved by finding a location that is indoors and includes ceremony and reception, all decorations, almost all flowers, set up and clean up, officiant, musician, tables/chairs and covers, and centerpieces for only $1500. Plus, my wedding date is on a Saturday.
It pays to shop around!
ButterflyBride
Nov 16, 2005, 9:40 AM
Post #6 of 7
(5088 views)
Re: [TWQadmin] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
So far, I saved a couple thousand by having my wedding at 10:30 in the morning. Not really what I had in mind however I didn't want the location to run into the thousands. It's a restaurant that has a beautiful courtyard. The courtyard is an area where people can sit outside and eat. If my wedding was running into their lunch time, the price of the location was going to be increased. No thanks...I'll wake up early to get married.
Fiance got my tiara from eBay. Other ways I plan to save money....family wants to know what I want for Christmas and my birthday (my birthday is 2 days after Christmas). I'm giving a list of what I want for the wedding. They can pick and choose from that. It will help out some.
ShellyLynne2611
Dec 12, 2005, 9:57 PM
Post #7 of 7
(4633 views)
Re: [TWQadmin] Tell us how you saved money...
[In reply to]
I saved a ton of money by finding an all inclusive location. Our package includes everything except clothing, favors and gifts for 100 people for only $8,500. It even includes a short honeymoon!
I also saved by making my own handmade favors using craft supplies I bought on Ebay. I'm having an 22 month engagement so I have plenty of time to finish them all. I also think it adds a special tough to know they are hand-stitched by the bride.
I also saved by purchasing my wedding dress from a co-worker. My veil is also my mother's (family tradition. My sister wore it, too).
We're also saving by postponing a long honeymoon. We are just taking the trip included in our package and saving a long trip for when we have more money. This also helps me not have to take too much time off of work since I'm taking time before and after the wedding.
Tell us how you saved money...
I really love doing this stuff anyways… I don’t think the integrity of the event will be ruined. I have done a million events before. 