Style & Decor

Where to Cut Costs....

Things add up quickly and tough decisions need to be made. Catering (incl. cake), Photography, and DJ - all major expenses and major necessitiies. Vendors are no help because they all feel their business is the most important aspect of the day and without using their professional help, you are just asking for disaster. Which, if any, of these areas did you cut out or scale back to make ends meet?

Posted On: Nov 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM | Vendors are allowed to participate

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CamoBride

Wedding: 08/07/2010

31 Comments | Login or Signup to post a comment!

Whitni C.

Wedding: 06/11/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 1:32 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
our DJ was included in our venue. We hired a friend of the family thats a photographer. And my moms been making cakes since before i was born. Thats where we saved a TON of money. I'm makin the flower girl basket, and im doing something different with the ring bearers. We are doing DIY savethedates/invites. And we are putting together a really cheap candy buffet table.If any of this helps...great...if not...sorry i tried :) good luck tho!!!

future Mrs. Gamble

Wedding: 07/04/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 1:33 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
well i saved money on the photographer, the cake, and everything but that's just because i have some very awesome friends lol. one's into photography the other is a baker, one's a dj, so i guess i'm lucky. and the wedding site is free, but we have to cut the grass and set everything up.

adayremembered

A Day Remembered

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 1:38 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
speaking from a vendors point of view I will say that you have to decide what part of your wedding is the most important to you. Is it photo's or decor, or perhaps your dress? I would make a list in order of importance. You then start cutting from the areas that don't matter so much for you. However I do feel the most important thing to have is someone (doesn't have to be a professional) who is not family or part of your wedding to take over the details of the wedding day itself. Making sure things go like you have planned them. It will be a huge stress reliever for you as well as your mother or maid of honor. Bets wishes and seriously, what is important to you is the highest priority, what isn't can be cut out or scaled back considerably.

Crystal L.

Wedding: 03/06/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 1:39 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Good topic! I feel like I am getting out of control and need to be brought back to reality! I am going to have to scale back on the centerpieces. I am going to have to forget about the table runners and uplighting...the DJ was a family friend so they gave me a great deal...photography is something that if you are not careful cutting back will hurt you. Same with a venue...I actually got 15% off at my venue's bridal show AND I am having my wedding in an off peak month. That helped save a lot of money. And we are getting married at the venue, that saved like $400 to $500

MEG

Wedding: 06/12/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 1:47 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I have a family member and friend who love photography take the pictures. I am not doing the videography. A family member's band is performing. I am doing a very casual reception with picnic type food. Our venue is letting us supply the drinks. I not doing the formal wedding dress. I have a small wedding party. I agree with a day to remember in that you need to decide what is important to you.

Carmen M.

Shadows Makeup Artistry

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:06 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Hi CamoBride, I'm sure that there are many ways to cut cost. However, I will tell you two things that I really feel you should NOT forego hiring a professional...photography and videography. After all is said and done, your photographs and videos will help you recapture all of the important moments of your special day. I did not have a professional photographer or videographer. My husband and I will be celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary this month, and I would love the opportunity to sit one evening with him and our three daughters and re-live that day. Unfortunately, I am unable to do so. So again, although I understand the need to be watchful with your money, there are some things that need to be left to the professionals. I wish you many blessings!

Kristina G.

Wedding: 05/30/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:15 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
My FH and I decided to not have a DJ to save money, instead we are going to use my laptop. Honestly, I get worried sometime that ppl won't dance or have a good time, I think it'll work out though. Here's a post I made about my worries earlier and how ppl replied, maybe it can help you: http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/worried-ppl-wont-dance/9ff3ee8318b93970.html Hopefully that link works. If you create a wedding website there's a section where you can let guests request music, I plan on using it so I know everyone will enjoy at least a couple of songs.

reddiva22

Wedding: [Private]

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:21 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I think that you should decide what you can do yourself or what you need someone else to do (ex. can you make your own food? then skip the caterer, Do you have a family member who is a beautician, have them do your hair/makeup) Make sure that if there are things you can DIY then I would say DIY... Good luck!:)

reddiva22

Wedding: [Private]

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:22 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I didn't mean for that to be rude, I just meant that I think you should try to cut back on things that you don't feel are necessary, thats the point I am trying to make..

3.6.10Bride

Wedding: 03/06/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 5:09 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I cut costs by going with the wedding/reception both at the church. I really didn't want to have it there, but when we weighed all the positives with the negatives, it just ended up that we couldn't justify a more expensive venue. Also by having an afternoon wedding instead of the evening one I'd wanted, I'm saving on food costs. We're doing coffee and dessert buffet instead of meal and alcohol. Areas where I will not cut...my dress/accessories/professional hair & makeup. My first wedding was at a courthouse when I was 19. Although we had a small reception later, I didn't have a beautiful wedding dress of get to get all dolled up with fancy hair and makeup. Probably if you look at my budget, you'd laugh because 25% of it is going towards just me, but I don't care if it's silly. I have regretted not having a wedding dress for 13 years!

RBG

Red Butte Garden

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 5:26 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
It's all about prioritizing what is important to you. Some brides really want a beautiful location and are willing to have a small guest list to get it. Other brides could care less about the location - they just want to make sure they can have everyone they know there. Some brides want to feed their guests well, but don't care about the decorations. Other brides are happy with just cake & punch, as long as the DJ is great and everyone has fun dancing. Some brides have to have the wedding on a Saturday Night, others are willing to do a Sunday morning brunch. Decide what is most important to you - budget those items first, and then go from there.

Laura K.

Married: 05/15/2009
Reviews: 7

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 5:31 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
we cut way down on flowers. the decor was already beautiful and there were other ways to add to it that were much more dramatic than a ton of expensive flowers everywhere. My venue also had HIDEOUS chairs, and as much as we wanted to rent covers or different chairs, it just wasn't an expense I thought was worth it. It worked out fine. I also did my own hair and makeup which I'm sure saved quite a bit. But I would have done that no matter what. There were lots of things we cut out after assessing the budget: limo, ice sculpture, etc....but I don't think you should ever cut money from food, entertainment, and video/photo....

JulyBride

Married: 07/25/2009
Reviews: 5

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 6:10 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
We skipped having a DJ, and ran iTunes through our laptop. We had BBQ catered, which was muuuccchh cheaper than other foods. Cupcakes instead of cake. Ordered all dresses online. Made the centerpieces myself. Silk flowers instead of real (everyone thought they were real!) Student photographer, friend with beauty training for hair and makeup. Margaritta and strawberry daquiri machines instead of beer and wine (huge savings!)

J.J

Wedding: 09/10/2011

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 6:18 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
There are lots of things that you can DIY that will help cut costs back. Flowers are a big cost that some people really don't need. I'm not a big flower person so a lot of our centerpiece flowers will just be silk and we are going to be creating the look ourselves to save. Another great way to cut back is the cake. You could have a 2 tier cake and then serve sheet cakes and no one would ever know the difference. Another great place to cut back is on the favors that you choose, if you are doing them that is. For example, using tulle and ribbon is a lot cheaper than buying the favor boxes or even the favor tins. To cut back we are going to wait until after X-mas sales and buy the little silver gift bags, the really tiny ones, to use as our favor containers. Also DO NOT settle for the first price that you hear. Make sure that you shop around and try to find the best price that you can. Also there are some venues out there that will give you one price to cover everything. The venue for

J.J

Wedding: 09/10/2011

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 6:20 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
our reception covers our catering, alcohol (we get to take home w/e is left over), D.J, table lines, chair covers and sashes, the cake, and we get 150 dollars toward rental items like stuff for the centerpieces and stuff like that. There are also tons of websites out there that have great ideas on ways to cut back on costs and yet not look tacky..Good luck!

Sachele D.

Married: 09/18/2009

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 6:46 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I don't think you should cut any one thing but cut the price down on each. Get a smaller photo package but make sure you get the digital files. Get a smaller "wedding style" cake and then get sheet cakes or have a desert bar made by friends. You honestly don't need as much cake as the bakers say you can cut it by like 20 or 30 servings maybe even 50 and still have enough just ask your cake cutter to cut smaller pieces. For the catering go with a buffet vs a sit down meal. Do a non hosted bar (aka pay bar) so your friends that want to get sloshed can but not on your dime. For the venue have your wedding Friday night or Sunday morning/afternoon, the prices are less than Sat. For flowers go to your local farmers market and talk to the flower vendors. They can tell you what is in season for your wedding date and also will give you a good deal on whole sale and have a friend put them together for you. Contd...

Sachele D.

Married: 09/18/2009

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 6:50 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
... Everyone is struggling in this economy, even your vendors! So don't be scared to tell them you can only afford so much and see if they can give you a discount or do a custom package for you. The only thing I paid full price for was my cake but she was also the cheapest in town and didn't have room to budge on her price. Don't just go for the cheapest though because you often get what you pay for. (Not the case with my cake but it can be)

Sachele D.

Married: 09/18/2009

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 7:52 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
One more thing... I noticed that your name is Camo. If this has anything to do with the military you could always get married on base and save tons!

Trina

Wedding: 09/10/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 7:58 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
my venue includes all food,liens,open bar,dj and place for ceremony. I am having 150 guests and I paid $1700. I am cutting the cost by not having a photographer for the whole day. I am doing alter ego photos before to put on display at the reception. I am only going to have a photographer to take pics of the wedding paty. I am making my own candy buffet. and my aunt is going to make my programs,invitations,and favors oh and i am using my own choc fondue machine and I will be going to the farmers market to buy the fruits and sams club to get the graham crackers, marshmellows etc.

Tyrone Blue Entertainment

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 8:19 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Here's a pie chart I made that can help. If you cut back from one area, you can add the the next area. The percentages are "typical" for an average American wedding ($20,000). You need to put your priorities were they are most important for you and your wishes for the day. Obviously, if you have a budget of $5000, these values will have to be adjusted to fit. When I did my own wedding, I did LOTS of home work and cut costs across the board. I made my own cake that everyone thought was store bought... but I spent two days of hard work to do it... That's the reality of doing it yourself. Pick and choose what is important to you. Do you want or need flowers... can you do it yourself and how hard is it? Do you want an iPod, and do you have someone to run it and watch it for you? Do you need an MC or will you expect the dance floor to be full with an iPod? Can you make your own invitations and do you have a quality printer to pull it off?

Tyrone Blue Entertainment

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 8:24 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Can you have the reception at a local venue for cheap or free? Do you need china, or can you accept paper plates. Do you care what your guests think? All are choices you need to make for YOUR wedding. Good luck!

Married: 10/17/2009

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 9:09 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
areas to cut/reduce: programs, invites, favors, transportation, centerpieces, flowers, tiered cakes, number in bridal party, honeymoon....it is entirely up to you. areas impt to me: dress, shoes, hair/makeup, officiant, photographer or videographer, food.

reddiva22

Wedding: [Private]

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 9:11 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
O actually if there are any local parks in your area that maybe worth looking into for your venue, our local park for an enclosed pavillion only charged us 200.00! So its worth looking into!:)

FlowersFlowers

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 9:58 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
i think it's helpful to really give thought to your priorities. think about the importance of each part of the wedding to you and your fiance....maybe it's the dress, maybe it's being able to include lots of people at the wedding, maybe it's the food, maybe the flowers, maybe the music, maybe the photography. and, yes, think about the day itself as well as how you'll think back about the wedding. and, budgeting doesn't mean you need to cut whole parts of the wedding....you can budget within each category. for instance, as a florist, sometimes the focus is less on flowers at the ceremony and more on the reception, particularly since that's where most of the time is spent. sometimes it's the bride's bouquet because that's what has importance to the bride. just like you decide what car to buy, what clothes to buy, what food to buy, whether to go out or stay in...it's all about priorities. do what's right for you!

Khadedra

Wedding: 06/25/2011

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 10:10 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Yes I believe that you have to figure out what is the most important to you. I have choosen photos because these last a lifetime.So there will be no skimming in this area. (Only the best) I however am making my own centerpiece, veil and because I absolutely hate flowers my bridemaids will carry fans instead of flowers, which I will also be decorating myself. Just think of things that you can do yourself or use the help of crafty and creative friends.

wowjunkie

Wedding: 06/12/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 10:19 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Everyone is right about prioritizing, but also do your research!!! Is it really cheaper to use a venue that is cheaper to rent, but doesn't include tables, chairs, ect? And never be afraid to ask - I walked into a place that I thought would be out of our budget and was just curious for a comparison and we booked them - they were VERY reasonable and included so many extra touches (real table cloths, real dishes and silverware, a DJ, the food, a honeymoon suite, set up and tear down) that the initial sticker price worked out to be a better deal than the place we originally were going to go with. By finding what I want and then going and figuring out how to recreate it I've also saved a ton of money - invites for $.38/a piece compared to $2. You have more than enough time to do your research and ask around.

CamoBride

Wedding: 08/07/2010

Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 10:37 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Wow, what an overwhelming response! Thank you ladies, this has really helped me tremendously, and hopefully it helps others as well! There is no cost for our venue and almost everything else is a DIY (invites, flowers, favors, hair/makeup) so we've already saved there. After shopping around and seeing the cost of the "average American wedding", I feel much more comfortable with our budget and I think we're able to make it all fit. I've decided it's worth it to us to get a smaller package with a professional as we're going to save in so many other areas (due to many great suggestions). I truly appreciate all of your feedback.

Ideal Portraits

Ideal Portraits, LLC

Posted On: Nov 08, 2009 at 9:14 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
During your search I would look into vendors that provide flat rate services for unlimited time (photographer, dj, caterers, etc.) instead of those that charge by the hour. That way you know exactly what will need to pay and you won't have to worry that you are missing out on anything. I would also look to see if you can find a photographer that doesn't require the whole cost up front. There are not a ton of us who do it, but some will ask for a certain amount as a retainer, then wait to charge for a package/product until you've seen the pictures and know you are happy. That may possibly save you a little money and also leave room to use some money gifts that you are bound to get at a wedding. If you really do the homework, you can find quality vendors in a lower budget, just be sure you will get what you want out of it the way you want it. Oh, and I LOVE Tyrone's price wheel! What a great way to break it down. :) Luck!

Debi B.

Cater It Simple

Posted On: Nov 08, 2009 at 10:13 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Picking up on the "camo" name, if you are military, ask your vendors if they give a military discount. I give 20% to active military & many of my vendor friends are doing the same thing, telling me "We're stealing your idea!" . I will work with a bride to skimp anywhere she needs to skimp but DON'T skimp on your photos! The food will be eaten, the dress will be in storage & the music will be a distant memory, but the pics are what you look at on your 25th anniversary. . DIY food can save you a lot, but PLEASE know ahead of time how much work this is.This past weekend I had an event for 200 & I spent 4.5 hours cooking chicken .. using 3 commercial size skillets on a commercial stove. Imagine how long it would take gramma with her one big skillet on a regular home stove? (can we say 10 or 12 hours or more?). And this doesn't count the time for all of the other food. If you can do it, you WILL save a lot .... I'm only asking that you REALLY be aware of what you're getting into.

Debi B.

Cater It Simple

Posted On: Nov 08, 2009 at 10:15 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
If any bride is seriously considering having a DIY buffet, I'm happy to share any info you need, such as how much food to buy (DIY'ers ALWAYS buy too much ... ALWAYS!), how to prepare in lg qty's (yes, there IS a difference), how to keep it at a food safe temp so your guests don't get food poisoning, how much time to allocate, etc. . Feel free to email me your questions at info@cateritsimple.com and I'm happy to help if I can.

Rev. Carleen

"With This Ring" Wedding Ceremonies

Posted On: Nov 08, 2009 at 10:21 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
For smaller weddings especially, think outside the box! Outside of church doesn't have to mean outside. I marry couples in the banquet rooms of restaurants, in art galleries, the beer garden of a lovely micro-brewery in town, etc.

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