Saving money

Unless you’re going to have a contract and pay them, you don’t. You shouldn’t be exploiting your friends’ talents for your wedding.

You don’t approach them....at all. Especially not if you’re asking them to gift their services. If they offer a service to you or offer help, that’s fine, but make sure you pay them market value (unless they offer a discount) and have a contract with them. Otherwise, what’s to stop them for bailing on your big day? There have been a lot of horror stories on here about brides and grooms who knew a friend who could DJ or take photos (for example) and two weeks before the wedding, their friend can’t make it to the wedding and all of a sudden they have two weeks to get a professional photographer. Everyone will say, “my friend or family would never do that to me,” but it happens all the time. Or what if they get sick/hospitalized/in an accident/family emergency/etc? Professionals will have in their contract that they are obligated to provide you with a back-up should an emergency take them off your event.

Don't 'use' your friends on your wedding day to save money. Hire professionals that you can afford, and let your friends come as guests and enjoy the day.

I can tell you I own a bakery and the last thing I want to do when I am attending a wedding is work it...use a pro there are plenty of other ways to cut your budget.

Thank you all for great advice. If there are any non profits available to cut some costs, please share.

View Quoted Comment Non profits for weddings?

Some services.

If you are trying to cut costs, begin with cutting your guest list. Please do not ask your friends to work during your wedding.

If all you can afford is to take a few people out to dinner after a ceremony at your home, that’s what you do. Wedding services aren’t done pro bono because nothing about a wedding is a necessity.

Set a budget. Google vendors near you or use the wedding wire vendors tab. Reach out to them to see if they're within your budget.

You're not going to find professionals offering their wedding services for free. This is how they make a living, so you need to properly compensate them. Some (not all) are willing to be flexible to work with your budget, but you should expect to pay money either way. A huge extravaganza is not necessary for a wedding. If it's not within your budget to host guests properly, I would suggest eloping.

I had the same thing, my friends are photographers and singers and cake makers, i had a general chat with them and they actually offered there services because they wanted to play a part in our big day to make it more special and personal, didnt get it free but i got discounted prices.. if they're good friends you should be able to have a chat with them about your wedding in general and if they want to help you they will, nothing good comes free though, best advice is get your budget sorted first - the fewer guests the more special it is and the cheaper it is! xx

The only way I can think of that you could potentially save money while still having a professional would be to find a local photography school in your area. You could potentially find a photography student who would charge you a much lower rate than an experienced photographer.

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You aren't a charity. You shouldn't be asking for people to 'donate' their services, or anything else to your wedding. Everyone has a budget. Have the wedding you can afford, and if that's just going to a court house and having dinner with your FS after, so be it.

Have the wedding you can afford. Please don't ask your friends to work for free.

If you cant afford a wedding just elope! They can be just as beautiful and special and you'll be just as married at the end of the day. Elopement packages are very affordable and some places will even allow up to five guests.

Weddings are a luxury item not a neccesity so that's why non-profits don't exist to give free weddings. There aren't non profits to give free Ferraris for people who want them.

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Non-profits are for charities, raising money for a good cause, people who need help/are disabled/have an illness, etc. They are not for optional parties. A wedding reception is a luxury event. Host the wedding you can afford.

Definitely don't ask them for help---it's one thing if they approach you and volunteer it's another if you straight up go "Hey I need your help" or drop subtle hints until they feel pressured into volunteering.

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As someone that battles chronic illnesses, this is so awful and disrespectful. You're not a charity case. Someone that's disabled, and needs assistance, they need non profits. You don't need pro bono work, or a non profit for your wedding... It's an absolutely unnecessary expense.

Elope, and do something small with those closest to you. Don't ask friends to work for free. One of my friends is a wedding photographer, I didn't ask her to work for free. Another friend is a DJ, and another's husband is a DJ. I didn't ask any of them to work for free. I'm not going to exploit and take advantage of my friends like that.

Please dont ask your friends to work either for free or at a discount. You want that professional distance between you and your vendors

Please don't ask your friends to work your wedding. If they come to you and offer and you're willing to accept AND pay them either their full price or a discounted price if they offer it then go for it. Make sure you have a contract with them.

As for non profits, this just makes my stomach turn. Non profits are for people with disabilities, illnesses, that are being abused, or that are just down on their luck and need help with basic survival. NOT a wedding.

Host the wedding you can afford. If that means going to the courthouse and then out to dinner with your immediate family then that's what it is. Courthouse weddings and shipments are absolutely beautiful in their own way and there have been many couples who have shared those weddings on here and they were stunning!

To save money, cut your guest list, do dinner at a restaurant. If you don't want to cut the list, you will have to find other ways to save money. My FH and I have both picked up part time jobs to help save for the wedding. We don't have kids so it's doable right now. Does it suck, sometimes. But we know we want the big affair with dancing and stuff and are willing to put in the extra hours to Make it happen. We would never, ever, consider looking for handouts for something like a wedding

View Quoted Comment What does this even mean?