Making a $3,000 budget work

@Clare - the thing is, I actually just want to elope so I don't have to deal with guests, but FH convinced me it would be unfair not to invite family. That's why my budget was the way it was; it was just supposed to be us.

Have you considered maybe buying food in bulk and having someone else prepare it? I know a ton of my friends who are just starting up catering businesses and want to do these kinds of events for small amounts of money. They get to use your pics, and cook. Just an idea. I started planning years ago and now I am just a 105 days away from my big day and we spent our income tax returns on the bigger portions of the wedding costs. I found my photographer on fb, my friend who does cosmetology is doing my hair and make-up as a wedding gift for me since my girls will be paying her for their hair and make-up. I'm getting my flowers from a technical school. The most expensive things we booked were: *the hall (does catering) *photographer *dj *dress. My dress was only $508 from a discount bridal salon. If you search and search, compare your prices! Its worth it!

Also consider buying a dress worn once by another bride... you can find great deals on site like ebay and oncewed. i bought my reception dress on ebay. it was a long gown with a train and i had it shortened to tea length... but it was a great deal!

Oh, and our wedding favors... we are using our christmas tree (since we got engaged in December), and are turning it into something beautiful (but you could use just an old tree in your yard, or something if you like the idea.... wood disk coasters with our names and wedding date on them, written with one of those wood burning pens you can buy at the craft store... finishing them with lacquer and calling it good. WAY CUTE

Another idea... use the 3K on yourself... dress, photographer, location, decorations, license, dinner, etc. Have only 10 people attend (parents - 4 friends?) and go to a nice restaurant after the ceremony.

Then save another 2K and have a reception on your 1 yr anniversary for your friends and such. You could wear your dress again. Skip on the fancy decorations and have food and fun.

I rented the public park in my hometown for $1 for the entire day. I am only having my ceremony there but you could easily have the reception there too. Maybe check into a venue like that.

Kristy S. Where did you get the soy wax from? I want to make my own candles as centerpieces and favors.

You can make you own STD, RVPS, and Invites. We used Microsoft.com templates for free.

@ aria bride

do you have a botanical garden nearby?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonian_Botanical_Garden

I did a ceremony a few years ago at one and it sounds like something you would prefer.. (would meet your budget requirements and priorities)

It was basically a ceremony with no reception..

all the guests walked in, they got married, and then the photographer took pictures while some picnic baskets were opened and everyone had snack..

of course your wedding date might not fit in with that idea ;-)

Booking a venue (or anything else) with the idea of FINDING something wrong to cry about and get a refund over is really, really gross.

Well it says ur wedding will be around the end of next year...that should be enough time for you to save ur budget plus some =]

My original budget was $3000, and i came in under budget at about $2500. I had my reception at an FOP Lodge and asked around about catering. My mom ended up having a friend who had started a catering business and gave me an amazing deal, I paid $900 for it. My grandmother made my cupcakes, she actually bakes cakes and sells them so it wasnt a normal at home bake job, found at dj for $500, photographer was $600 and gave us 2 flash drives with copyrights to all photos. I bought my bouquets premade from michaels and added ribbon handles. There are plenty of ways to pull off a wedding with a $3000 budget. Another thing to consider is doing a pasta buffet, it is cheap and goes far, you just need to find people to serve for you.

Hey So far we have only spent 5000 on everything and that includes buying 2 and 1/2 BM dresses. You will just need to cut out the stuff that isnt important to you and keep the stuff that is. and be okay with doing stuff DYI (you dont have to be all that good). Just have fun.

You could get a dress that does not cost a lot but is beautiful anyway. DB's $99 sale is kind of a grab bag, but I've seen some gorgeous dresses come out of it. Do an alternative to flowers like ribbons http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/wedding-ribbon-adds-drama/ or find a cheap park venue where nature is the decoration. Just have the photographer for a few hours. They really only need to be there for the ceremony and maybe an hour of the reception. If you have the ceremony and reception in the same place and keep the ceremony short, like 30 minutes, they'll get all the important parts(the ceremony and loved ones who attended). All the stuff like pictures of you getting ready, and a lot of formal pictures are more of an extravagance than a necessity to helping you remember the day. Plus I don't get why you need "things that photograph well". A good photographer should be able to photograph seemingly simple things in such a way that they become beautiful. As a photographer you should

Know that better than anyone.

Hayley: can the rings on the website you put on here be re-sized??

We have started our budget at 3,000 but as the day gets closer the budget is also rising. It's close to 3500$ and I will make sure it doesn't go over 4,000. It's tough though you can easily get caught up in the beauty of everything. ^The flowers are great and a very good idea, just might borrow the idea from you. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out!

@Pan x - "Plus I don't get why you need "things that photograph well". A good photographer should be able to photograph seemingly simple things in such a way that they become beautiful. As a photographer you should know that better than anyone."

I used to photograph budget weddings. While my brides were honestly thrilled with their photos, it made for a poor portfolio. Other photographers, my competition, had images of amazing bouquets and detailed dresses, while I was showcasing grocery-store rose bouquets and off-the-rack gowns. They also had photographs of detailed reception areas with stunning centerpieces and fine china, while I had images of dollar store diy centerpieces and plastic linens. I only attracted more budget brides.

I began working with popular event stylists to include similar amazing details in my portfolio.Those images got published and re-published and my number of bookings rose, along with my prices.

Everyone says fine details don't matter, but I see different.

My Entire budget is $2500.00

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I'm having the same problem and I truly loving all the ideas. I live in Philadelphia, and everything is so expensive. Can some one place give me some pointers on how to make our lives a little easier.