Can I do without?

My FSIL told me that floral centerpieces, favors and programs were some of the biggest things she spent money on that she wished she hadn't. So I'm doing all of that stuff using deals, coupons and a whole lot of DIY action!

I am not doing favors.. But I am having a photo booth which will allow the guest to take as many pictures as they want and the photo home with them.. So I guess that doesn't count.. lol

Sorry I am no help!

Favors, rented plates etc. Heavy duty plastic work just as well unless your having soup.

Programs -- I got 100 free from VP, but still have 80 or more at my house that weren't taken.

Favors -- either cut completely or do for a small amount.

Centerpieces/bouquets -- real flowers are expensive and they die. There are TONS of other things you can do for this that are inexpensive.

Guest Book -- our centerpieces doubled as our guest book (ornaments for guests to sign) and we forgot to set out our photo guest book

Shop around for stuff. Use that dollar store! DIY!

Those are the three biggest things I'm doing.

I'd agree with ToTheMoon on centerpieces and favors and programs being blackholes of money that you can do for a LOT cheaper.

I'm not doing flowers. None. Haha...

Favors... I'm considering doing personalized M&Ms on the tables maybe in a little bowl at each (do those count) and I am also doing a photo booth. I think though I am going to have my booth print out one pic for the guest book, and then I will send them copies in the thank you cards so that I don't have to worry about running out of paper, ink, and so they don't have to carry them around the whole night...

I'm making my own programs but it won't cost me since I'm using left over supplies from my invitations. I think I need them though since I won't be having place settings at the tables and otherwise it might look too bare?

Instead of starting with what you can do without, how about starting with what you actually need. That's a short list:

* A partner. Looks like you've already handled that one!

* An officiant

* A marriage license.

* Witnesses.

And you may be able to skip even some of those, depending on the state.

Everything else is optional--wedding dress, flowers, decorations, photography. While you need to provide some food for those you invite, you can reduce either the number of people you invite or the amount of food provided. (Cake and punch will cost you a lot less than a seated dinner.)

So for anything that's not on that list, think about whether the cost is worth it to you. Don't start with Platinum Weddings and try to reduce costs from there; start with zero and increase costs only for things that are worth it.

We are trying to stay under $10K as well.

Some of the things that we are saving on

No Aisle Runner

No Favors

No STD's

No Bouquet/Garter toss

BM's carrying clutches instead of flowers

Using few flowers from a wholesale site and doing them ourselves

I am making cakes for each table - so the centerpieces are also the cakeplates

Ceremony and Reception in one venue

Doing a Guestbook from Shutterfly etc from our E pics

Make up -- my MOH did it for me (I hate make up with a passion) following a trial run at Sephora - $105 in make up (because I had pretty much none) that I get to keep and use again

I did a photo booth for about $150, I gave my girls useful gifts that weren't ridiculously expensive, gave our parents sentimental gifts that weren't ridiculously expensive...

We're not having big floral center pieces or programs either. Also I'm putting little favor boxes on the dessert table after it seems everyone has had a chance to get a little bit and that will be our favors. We're not having a DOC either, my FMIL has offered to serve this purpose, because I just can't justify paying $300-500 for someone who doesn't intimately know my tastes and vision.

Anything floral is going to be pricy. Try to steer away from fresh flowers for centerpieces (or even bouquets) Try using candles, lanterns, etc. These can be used again or you can sell them when you're done with them.

Keep things simple! Thinking of doing a chalkboard instead of programs...buying flowers from the warehouse and arranging them ourselves. Making the bridal party gifts myself at my pottery class. Using an iPod as a dj. Anything I can think of!

True. I keep forgetting that I can sell everything after I use it since I'm buying pretty much everything! Here are some things I am torn on if I need or not...

--Flip-flops (outdoor lawn wedding/reception) will they even be used?

--M&M bowls... not having any food before the buffet after the ceremony (starting around 730), so the guests will likely be there around an hour without food

--My guests are OOT. Rehearsal dinner the night before. What do I need for that besides some food? What about brunch the next day? Lunch before the wedding?

Maybe I can cut back on some decorations?

@Reenski What gifts did you get your girls? I am doing clutches for them instead of flowers, and getting them a simple set of earrings. I want one more small practical thing since we are going 3 things for the guys (OCD?)

@2d Bride haha.... good advice! Our "officiant" is a friend so no charge there. Been technically married for 4 years so we don't need to worry about witnesses or the license. And as far as I know, the partner is still on board! haha

I feel like I have thought of everything and made cuts everywhere!! Maybe I'll just have to settle with only being under budget by 500 : (

I wish I could get all my guests to RSVP 4 months in advance so I knew if I could cut the catering, tables, chairs, and centerpieces!! Haha... wouldn't that be nice : )

As far as flip flops....don't need. Just let your guests know before hand either word of mouth or your website what the venue is like so they can wear appropriate shoes.

Also skip the M & M bowls, but might want to think about some meat/cheese trays, crackers and fruit & veggie trays to hold people off between the ceremony and reception.

Rehearsal dinner...don't necessarily have to invite all out of town guests, you just need you, your FH and wedding party. You can cheap with pizza, pop, etc.

Again brunch, don't need to spend on or on the lunch before the wedding. Though you will want to provide food the day of for your bridesmaids, especially if you are together getting ready. Can be just sandwiches from Costco, Sam's Club, etc.

We bought all our bridal party their shoes for the wedding (Converses) because they wouldn't buy it if not for the wedding.

My girls got Envirosax tote bags (Groupon deal), key fob wristlets (they all have a good number of keys for their jobs), Scrabble tile pendants (buy 2 get 1 from an Etsy vendor -- not practical, but cute), and I made them fabric flip flops since we are FL girls and flip flops are required.

No flip flops. If you have m & M don't personalize them, Also that would not hold me but maybe pretzels would.

No lunch before wedding other than having maybe a meat cheese tray for your wedding party.

You can have pizza or burgers and hotdogs for the rehearsal dinner and a couple of salads or beans and potato salad.

You do not owe them brunch unless you want to have that for your out of town guests. But this can be done easy too with a casserole or some bagels and fruit.

Ok. No flip flops it is.

I was planning on having a sub place (similar to subway) cater my rehearsal dinner and I'll be only inviting my bridal party and possibly immediate family (moms, dads, siblings).

Good idea with the food trays for the day of! Everyone will be at the venue getting ready the whole day so I can look into just getting some trays for everyone to snack on throughout the day as they get hungry. Thank for the tips Tiffany!

I agree with what a lot of others have mentioned. Favors are totally not necessary (I wish I hadn't spent time and money on these!). And programs can easily be written on a chalkboard and reused for menus. Or you can just have 1-2 menus per table if you really want them printed....one per person is absolutely not needed.

It seems like you already have a bunch of ideas of where you can save. But I will also say don't cut out everything! If there are little things that you are excited about for your wedding and don't cost too much then just get them! If you really love the flip-flops or M&M bowls then just do it! Those things are probably not your biggest costs and if you think they make your day more personalized then go for it!

I really think the 2 things guests appreciate most are good food and good music! So maybe cut back or do DIY on decoration, stationary, and florals.