Feeling Discouraged $$

Think of it this way - Oct. 2019 is 20 months from now.

Your budget on the high end is $12,000, but we can figure $14,000 to give you wiggle room for decorations/invites/other expenses.

If you are able to put away $700 in savings per month, you'll get the $14,000 in full but October. That doesn't include the tax returns from this year OR next year, which will be another bump to funds available.

If $700 per month minimum is doable for you, then the budget you have is doable. If you don't have the means to put away at least $700 then I would definitely rethink your budget. If you are able to do more, you'll be able to spend more or have breathing room in other areas (photographer/cake/videographer). When it comes to decorations you may end up having to do some DIY, cut back in areas that don't matter (to me that was flowers), or rethink some extras but I think you can have an awesome wedding in that range.

We are spending a significant amount on our wedding as well and I was nervous about it at first. We sat down and did the numbers and will have a lot of breathing room in our budget for things that weren't initially budgeted (like our wedding favors or gifts for the wedding party).

View Quoted Comment See , exactly that’s our thought process . We have a savings started and have money from our tax return this year we set aside already and have about 5know set aside but we still want to not STRAIN ourselves .

Not to mention NEXT years return and I just don’t want it to be insanely out of reach .

View Quoted Comment Missed that. My apologies. Invites don’t have to be expensive. We purchased a kit from a craft store with a 50% off coupon. So $12 for our invites. Completely agree with @Dillydilly about skipping the bridal party. Also a way to save money (no gifts, hair, other expenses) along with no drama. We actually skipped a lot of decor. We used our centerpieces on pillars st the front for our ceremony. We loved the look of our venue as it was and it just wasn’t on our list of priorities for the reception. DIY can be great- it can also become more expensive. So I would price your ideas out first.

Hey! For flowers I used Eco Flower for the bouquets and Sola Wood Flowers for decor. Eco Flowers is comparable cost to real flowers but they are wood so they don’t die. Sola wood Flowers has daily deals that are usually really awesome! They have tutorials to help teach you how to make decor and stuff too! Also I’ve been to a few weddings where they opted for a dessert bar instead of a full meal and it wasn’t bad. They just let people know up front in their invites and to my knowledge, no one fussed about it.

Just make sure your savings plan includes if any vendors require payment 30-60-90days before the actual date. I started my savings plan and then went "DOH" had to account for it being due the month before my wedding date.

Cut everything you can that isn’t necessary (like favors and STD’s). Focus hardest on your photographer and the food/drink, and then probably your music. Simplify wherever possible - you don’t need a bunch of signs that you’re never going to use again, for example.

We did our wedding for about $13,000, so not too far off from what you’re shooting for. We had 118 guests attend, and catered a buffet. I did my own flowers, and our choice of photographer saved us money because he is a student (this included a second shooter, all-day coverage, and a flash drive with the edited photos). I paid for hair and makeup for myself and all 7 of my bridesmaids, so that was a bit of a splurge for me, but my stylists were, again, talented students, and that slashed the cost by over half. The only decor I had to worry about were aisle decorations and table centerpieces, because our venues were decorated for Christmas and were already gorgeous anyway. If your venue is already pretty, resist the urge to add more decorations than necessary. Chances are that pretty, simple centerpieces will be plenty.

Also, I DIY’d quite a bit of the decor I DID have, but make sure to budget for it before you do. Sometimes it’s cheaper to just buy something that’s already made in the first place. However, Amazon and some different craft websites can be good resources, and Dollar Tree sells glassware in bulk online. Make use of coupons at places like Michael’s, too.

Check Goodwill and thrift stores in the area! I find that a lot of brides in my area drop off decorations and even signs there after. Also, find out if there is a bridal resale near you. And check Sam's Club to DIY floral!

You said you have friends/relatives who are doing photography and DJ? GET CONTRACTS! Get it in writing!!! Way too many horror stories here of family or friends as "friendors" and it went south due to not being clear about expectations. I am sure yours are great but please: a good DJ will make or break the wedding and photography is huge as well. We all want the best for you!

Are you contracted to keep your reception place? It seems like a lot of money is going to that place - did you look around for another option?

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Ooh I love that , thank you !

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Okay perfect ! Thank you so much !

The Venue includes set up / break down - consultations - we have the space from 0600 - 11pm - 500 chairs 200 tables ... ceremony area comes with drapery and chandeliers -- 4 portable bars - all DJ equipment etc etc

I have never planned a wedding before lol so I don't know what the average venue in the area SHOULD cost .

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The Venue includes set up / break down - consultations - we have the space from 0600 - 11pm - 500 chairs 200 tables ... ceremony area comes with drapery and chandeliers -- 4 portable bars - all DJ equipment etc etc

I have never planned a wedding before lol so I don't know what the average venue in the area SHOULD cost .