Low Budget Wedding, Big Family. Where do you skimp??

I don't know for sure, but actually I would like to know that for my own future reference

A friend just gave me a site http://www.littlecoral.com... its all the davids bridal and designer stuff for cheaper and they do custom sizing!!

I am pretty sure Little Coral is one of those Chinese Knock-off sites. Unless you want your dress to comeback Odd/poorly sewn and uneven I wouldnt order a dress online...

Lots of ladies have posted of the horrors of doing that.

I have the bust/waist ratio issue (14 bust, 8 waist. ugh.) so I am making my own dress. I also have sewing experience, so this isn't a problem for me. But if you know anyone with sewing skills maybe it would be an option for you?

As for the rest of it... dollar tree EVERYTHING. They have seriously everything you could ever need. Do the cupcakes on your own. Since you're having an outdoor wedding, have your fh wear khakis and a nice button-up instead of a suit. Don't invite kids who aren't in the immediate family (people could be upset, but the best way to cut cost is to cut guests, and kids don't care about your wedding). Realistically, you don't need a rehearsal dinner or pre-parties. Pre-parties are supposed to be thrown for you by other people, if they don't happen, they don't happen. If you do a rehearsal and want to do a rehearsal dinner, have family/friends help out and host at someone's house.

And there is always the option of a longer engagement (which sucks, trust me I know). But if you can't stay within your budget, give yourself time to make the budget bigger.

I found a gorgeous dress at a second hand upscale resale shop for $300. It was brand new - sent to the resale as it didn't sell at the regular boutique. I highly recommend as you can try them on! I am busty and found a great dress that way.

I used do it yourself invitations I bought at Michael's for 35$. Just need a printer.

Third way I saved is to do silk flowers from afloral.com. Boutoneers were literally 1.99 each.

Also, use miles for any honeymoon trip!

Best wishes.

Hi Rhea ~ Welcome to WW.

I do have quite a few links of ideas on my profile if you want to check it out.

Other ways to save $ - talk to family and friends, borrow jewelry, veils, slips, cake knife, toasting flutes, etc.

Use a stuffed animal from your childhood, or one that your FH gave/won for you as the ring "pillow"

Just find a cute easter basket from your house (or after easter sale) for a flower girl basket.

Dollar Tree can become your best friend. You can even order things off the website and they are mailed to the store in your neighborhood for free.

Check out garage sales and flea markets.

Have your ladies hold single flower instead of big bouquets.

~ Happy Planning ~

I know excaly how you feel,,, i have the same problem as you

what im doing is

making everything and purchasing everything little by little

my dress is used i got so lucky tho i went did the davids bridal experience then i found the same dress used for a fraction of the cost

try swapmeets and anything along those lines and for your dress try craigslist ladies on there are quite nice (well for the most part)

im just getting a 2 layer cake and renting the stand and my brides maids and i are going to make cupcakes the night before

if you want or need any ideas ill be super happy to help!

Using the ww-budget tool - here are some suggestions or you can move the budget around if I list something you Don't think you need.

$2,000

Band $0 - dj ipod

Beauty/hair $80 -

Cake - $60 - Cake from the grocery store - pie too? or bake cupcakes - maybe cookies

Catering - $160 drinks (coffee, liters of soda, make punch) $500 food (cater in from restaurant? pasta or chicken, salad, bread, etc) Get some cheese and veggie trays from grocery store.

Ceremony - Officiant $200

License - ? varies state to state

DJ ipod- $0

Dress:


Brides Accessories $30 (shoes from target/payless/charlotte russe) 


Dress/Alterations - $225 - cross your fingers a $99 dress from David's fits and doesn't need a lot of alterations (or check local consignment stores)

Headpiece - $40 (get costume jewelry & hair accessories from Claire's - Borrow a family member's veil or no veil)

Groom - $0 (I hope he has a suit) or $120

Gifts Wedding party $50

Flowers - might need to DIY w/ grocery store flowers

Additional bouts $0

Bride $50

BM $25

Ceremony $10 - dollar store vases if you want to do sand ceremony

*Decorations should be something you can reuse for reception $40

Flower girl $5 - find an easter basket in your home, or go to dollar store - I think they even sell little bags of silk petals

Groom/ GM - $25

Parents - $35

Reception Decorations - $30 - Dollar store table clothes. Centerpieces can be simple as dollar store vase, colored water, floating candle. Or check out my profile for some inexpensive DIY ideas with paper or paper towel rolls

Plates, cups, napkins, utensils $150

Invites, thank you $70 (clearance section of craft stores or creative use of VistaPrint free items)

stamps $35

Photography $100

Thanks everyone. Haley, we aren't feeding people anything but snacks and punch or something. I need alterations on any dress I get, im a size 18/16 up top and 12 at waist and 14 at hips. I know one person who does sewing, but she has immacular degeneration and is 85 so I don't want to ask her. Invites are taken care of.

Rhea, I too have an ADHD hubby, and most folks don't get how he is, and don't appreciate the talented and sincere nice guy he is!

I love what you're thinking....there is no rule that you have to spend thousands to get married . When I got married, my aunties all wanted to know where the hall was and they were ready to cook! I have friends who had a cake and punch reception, and it was very nice, and also have had clients with backyard small weddings, and it was all very nice! One had a local bbq place bring in pans/trays, and the other had friends bbqing chicken and then keeping it warm in the oven, and lots of salads, and pastas and such! I think that those are warmer, friendlier weddings than big over the top celebrations.

Your idea sounds great, although I agree that at 12:30 people might be expecting lunch. Cake and punch is better at like 2:00, or, do 12:30 but make some pans of pasta, and salads, etc. so that people aren't hungry.

Best wishes!

Why the rush to get married? You certainly can do a wedding for $2,000, but why not wait?