How to not break the bank and still have a nice wedding??

We have a very strict budget for our wedding so we've had to make a lot of cuts. Our biggest expense is on the food at about 2.4k for 130 people, but this is being very generously paid for by my parents. Everything else is on us.

We cut out several vendors we felt we didn't need. No DJ (just a playlist), no florist (I did them all with artificial flowers), no day of coordinater (I've never actually been to a wedding with one), and no videographer.

I went cheap and simple with decorations as that was no important to me. Think Dollar Tree. Went with the cheapest invitations I could find that still look nice. There's a lot of ways to cut back!

Two words: Hobby. Lobby. Unless you’re like my future SIL who is morally opposed to Hobby Lobby, then michaels would work, too. But I just don’t like michaels as well. Also, Facebook buy sell trade sites! I saw one lady selling her WHOLE wedding lots, linens, flowers, bouquets, vases, candles, curly willow chair backs, the washes for $1,000. Not a bad gig.

Also, look into venues that have decor. My venue has several types of vases, linens, decor, candles, antique doors to write on, pretty much everything I need, and they give me a day of coordinator. I just bring the flowers basically, and anything extra. I’m paying $2,000 for my venue but I’ve totaled it up, and I’m rentals alone I’ve saved over $1,000 because it’s all included. So the way I see it I paid not even $1,000 for my venue because of everything included. Big money saver!

I’d recommend Trader Joe’s for flowers, my SIL had her wedding this past October and spent less than $300 on seven bridesmaids bouquets, bridal bouquet, eight boutonnieres, petals for the flower girl, and 20 centerpieces.

The top 2 things I feel like my reception needs are
1. Lots of good food (a friend recently went to a wedding with tiny portions of bad food and they ran out of food...)
2. Lots of booze, the best I can afford (bc we know lots of drinkers 😂) and no cash bar, I really want to have an open bar bc I’d feel bad asking people to pay for their own booze.

The most important things are having enough food, tables and chairs set up in such a way that your guests are comfortable, interactive things for your guests to do throughout the night, an MC to keep the reception flowing smoothly. I also think it’s important to convey who you are as a couple by including personal touches to tell your story. A day of coordinator is extremely helpful to take the stress off you, your family, and friends. A good one can also save you money.

Hey Shelby!

Looks like you got some helpful answers from fellow community members! WeddingWire also has a bunch of articles that featured budget-saving tactics that you should totally check out as well:

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Wedding Budget Breakdown 101: How to Divide & Conquer

6 Costs to Eliminate from Your Wedding Budget Right. Now.

Budget Tips from Real Couples

Does your venue provide any services/supplies for you?