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Just Said Yes September 2020

Budget cuts

Barrett, on November 14, 2019 at 8:38 PM Posted in Planning 0 17
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My wedding will be an outdoor wedding at my parents house. There will be a dj and dance floor and when the dj stops at 10 there will be a bonfire. My guest list started at 300 people. Due to budget I’ve had to cut my list to just closest family and friends for dinner. (That saved around $2000) I still plan on inviting the rest of the people for donuts and celebrating after dinner is cleaned up. My question is...do I still need the space for 300 people with tables and chairs even though they will be only eating donuts and drinking? Or do I only need the space for roughly 100 people who will be attending dinner?

17 Comments

Latest activity by BRIYELL, on November 15, 2019 at 3:54 PM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    This is incredibly rude. Guests should be invited for the entire event or none of it, not just the cheap part.
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  • M
    Expert September 2020
    Marcia ·
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    I agree with PP. I would be offended to show up for dessert after knowing I hadn’t been invited to the dinner portion of the event.
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  • N
    VIP September 2020
    Neeva ·
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    While it's not ideal to do this, it is ultimately your decision.

    If people are coming for donuts and drinks, you should provide a place for them to sit. It does not need to be traditional seating however so maybe consider lounge seating (you could do a bunch of benches or adironack chairs) or high top tables for the additional guests.

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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    This is very rude and I terrible idea. If you can't afford to properly host everyone then only invite those you can actually afford to host. As a guest, I would be very offended by this.
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  • B
    Just Said Yes September 2020
    Barrett ·
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    I guess I will have to do more thinking. I WANT to invite everyone for dinner. But my budget is being stretched and I haven’t even added everything else needed. $5000 for canopy and the cheapest route for food I can find is a taco bar and that’s roughly $4000. I don’t have a money tree. I’m having a hard time figuring out how to have a wedding I want but not be outrageously expensive.
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  • LB
    Champion November 2016
    LB ·
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    Only invite the people you can afford. 300 is a huge amount of people.
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  • Cyndy
    Master May 2019
    Cyndy ·
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    I agree with the others. Only invite what you can afford. Most people don’t have 300 people at their wedding. Lots of people would like to invite that many but realize they can’t afford it and cut it back.
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  • B
    Just Said Yes September 2020
    Barrett ·
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    Thank you everyone! That’s why I come here to get opinions! Back to the drawing board.
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  • N
    VIP September 2020
    Neeva ·
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    There are a lot of ways to save costs but you have to get creative for sure.

    The easiest is to cut the guest list but only you will know how to do that best.

    Sounds like you're already looking into food options and 4,000 for 200 people is good.

    Next thing to cut would be alcohol- you could find cheaper options such as just beer and wine or one signature drink.

    Best of luck!


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  • Linsay
    Beginner October 2020
    Linsay ·
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    Backyard weddings definitely help cut the cost. Do you know what the weather is like around your wedding date? I've seen people make seating with bales of hay. Which i would totally do it i had that theme. Do what makes you happy. Taco bar seems nice. Were there any alternatives to the food? Family cooking possibly?
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  • Andrea
    Super May 2020
    Andrea ·
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    I would think of another option. It’s going to be awkward for everyone whether they got the full invite or not. People will be offended and talking about it at the wedding and that will affect the people there the whole time too. Also you do need seating for everyone so picture your wedding with 300 seats and only 100 filled. Your guests will wonder what’s going on and pictures will look very odd.
    Have the wedding you can afford. If you need 300 people there have an afternoon cake and punch reception
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  • Amber
    Super September 2020
    Amber ·
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    I know if I was one of your guests I'd find it very insulting that I wasn't good enough to be invited to your wedding and reception but to be invited for donuts and drinking afterwards.


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  • D
    Dedicated December 2019
    Decemberbride ·
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    Only invite who you can afford to host. That being said, be realistic with your budget. All the things add up. We are 2 weeks away now & I had originally thought we'd spend $7000.. nope. We are 3 times that at least.
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  • Taylor
    VIP October 2020
    Taylor ·
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    This. My budget began at $10,000. We've climbed to $25k, not counting the honeymoon. Our list is at 245 and we'd like the guest count to be around 200 (lots of out of state/town guests). That being said, we can afford to pay for the 245 if they all happen to show up.

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  • BRIYELL
    Savvy September 2020
    BRIYELL ·
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    I am having a small ceremony with just mediate family then a celebration party afterward of 200+ people, is it still rude to do it that way? Our ceremony place is small and my soon to be husband wants to exchange vows in private and do something special for my daughters.


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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    If by "immediate family" you mean parents, siblings, grandparents, and children only, etiquette wise that is fine.

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  • BRIYELL
    Savvy September 2020
    BRIYELL ·
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    My Cousin had her wedding in October and did BYOB. takes the liability off of you and cots the cost Smiley smile


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