Advice for a really tight budget

Can you or your fiancé try and take out a small loan?

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I totally understand. That's what I thought too. We have to set up and decorate the hall on our own, as well as clean up at the end of the night, so we didn't want to have to wash any dishes.

See if there’s a high school or college age student who likes photography who may want to try their first wedding. These days like every other high school girl likes photography. We had a college age girl photograph our wedding and the photos turned out AMAZING. Professional quality for sure. You can phrase it as an experience for them to try it out and give them like $300. Which to someone that age is a lot of money. I think you definitely need photos tho.

We are in a similar situation I was out of work for 7 months our wedding is sept 1 I just went back to work 7/1 and I’m taking any shifts that open up. It’s only been two weeks and I’m exhausted but I love him and refuse to cancel he’s offered. Invitations are out and the way I see it it’s too late now. We are not having a photographer a friend who has a nice camera is taking pictures. I went to a wedding in May and they did their own music with an old iPhone they made playlist that lasted the whole day. You could do that. I was going to do that but a friend offered to DJ. We are doing paper plates.

i went to a wedding this weekend and I yelped so much I got tips on what really matter that day.
1. No one cared it was regular paper plates the kid from Bjs. ( I was going to get fancy ones from party city.

2. No one ate the cake. They threw out half a sheet cake. ( I’m getting mine from bjs for $40 )

3. Buy extra napkins they ran out.

4. The caterer was nice enough to tell me how much drinks I would need for my size party( I asked her)




Also look for salss ales I got all the water last week on sale
And i have been watching the supermarket ads for the soda sales.


we invited 150 it looks like we might have 100



good luck

View Quoted Comment Yeah thats also something I made sure. The eating area is in a little beach house. Thank god!

View Quoted Comment If everyone is local, you can just do a cake & punch reception after! Or maybe catered Italian or a Mexican for $10 PP (alcohol not required for a brunch wedding).

View Quoted Comment Yes! We have to do the same. I'm strategically planning so we dont spend so much time setting up in the morning. And none of our family is willing to help set up food ao its just my FH and I.

View Quoted Comment Our photographer was $300 as well but because of the circumstance we cant afford him

Do you have any family or friends that have any experience in photography? If so, they could take your wedding photos in lieu of a wedding gift. Have you tried negotiating with your remaining vendors?

View Quoted Comment Thats very helpful thank you!

View Quoted Comment The problem is none of pur family members or friends are willing to help. Everyone is high maintenance and expects everything to be done when they arrive. It's sad really. We've reached out to all our immediate family/friends and everyone said "Oh well. ask so and so... "

If its an early in the day reception you could do really easy catering. My friend did a low cost brunch wedding by ordering a party sub from a deli and cutting it into very small pieces. We did that and mini quiches made in a muffin pan, and seasonal fruit salad. I want to say she fed all 100 of her guests for like $80 that way. Also got a sheet cake from costco and cut it all into small slices, like 2in by 2in to get the taste. Her family doesn't drink for religious reasons but they had orange and cranberry juice punches for drinks. made from concentrate. All paper or plastic tableware off Amazon or from dollar tree. I'm a newly licensed school counselor and we're having some of the same problems. As for a photographer if you can limit their time that'll save you a bunch. Go on local facebook pages for your area and ask for recommendations. That's how I found my photographers and they're the best and so cheap. Just newer and not that reputable yet.

I've been married before and we did all disposable plates, utensils, and cups. I'm originally from the West coast, do you guys have a Safeway, Thriftway or Fred Meyer near you? All great options for catering ideas.

I know you say decorator is flat rate and deposit is non refundable... Does it make sense to lose that deposit to save whatever is left over to apply it elsewhere? As crappy as that sounds if your decorator was as an example: $800 with a $300 or $400 deposit. It would make sense for myself to take a loss on that deposit amount to save that additional $400- $500 to apply elsewhere. I know its wasted money but may be worth it. I don't know how much you put down but just a thought. See if you can get into a restaurant, host or serve or something. they usually are always hiring because turnaround is so fast. I'm so sorry about the job and having to deal with this after planning your dream wedding hugs!

Check out Groupon for a photographer, but email the photographer directly “hi I found you on Groupon and was wondering if you had this date available” I contacted three photographers and all were willing to offer the Groupon price if I booked with them directly (since Groupon takes a cut). Instead of paying $2,500 for a photographer I paid $1,000. As far as tableware try amazon, google wholesale stuff, and a dollar store if you have one near you. You may have to do a little research with price comparing but it’ll be worth it.

View Quoted Comment That sounds amazing. Thank you this really helped a lot.

View Quoted Comment Yes we do! I'm looking into Safeway & Costco. Thank you

View Quoted Comment Awesome! And remember it's all about the two of you and what you want. 😀👑👸

View Quoted Comment I just thought of an idea maybe waffles I’m not sure who could do them, but you can have like a waffle bar and have fruit they can put on their waffles if you really want to cut down cost someone from your family can help cooking them on a waffle maker..

View Quoted Comment Thats a really smart idea!