No Money

Don’t get discouraged! I know how hard it can be from someone who scans and re-scans my budget sheet trying to find ways to save. Here are some sure-fire ways to save a buck or two:
- utilize your friends and loved ones. Do any of your friends cook; could they be up for catering? Any friends get married recently that could hand down some decor items?
- shop local and lower. Depending how big of flowers you want, did you know you can do a nearby market? For my Mr. and my courthouse day, we got our flowers done at Central market and they did an amazing job (attaching a pic).
- attend bridal shows. A lot of bridal shows will give you an opportunity to attend for free. Make labels with your info ahead of time. Visit all the local vendor booths and slap the label on their raffle sign up sheets. I won a free boudoir session and custom sweetheart table decor this way; and I wasn’t even signing up for the main vendors!
- get married on a Friday or Sunday. A lot of places will lower cost if you avoid booking a Saturday at their venue. Ask about weekday discounts!

I hope this this helps some! When is your wedding?

View Quoted Comment I do need to sit down and chat about that. Even the cheap catering Comes out to a lot of money for that many people. I just worry about it because those that we would cut are her sisters and her family because we’re closer to his dads side.

Whoops! Here’s the flower pics I promised 😜 Central market did the flowers for my bouquet and the cake, and we got the cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Super cost savings!

View Quoted Comment I keep forgetting about bridal shows! I need to go find one. I live in the boonies so it’s over an hour drive usually but probably worth it.
june 1, 2019. Im normally more cool about this because I know deals roll around and with enough time you can wait for them but today’s just not a good day. I’ve worked 26 hours in the last 48 and I just cut my coffee fund from my monthly budget... *muffled crying*

View Quoted Comment What a cute little cake and I love your bouquet!

I worked full time while going to law school. And I got married after my first year of law school. So he could contribute if he wanted to. If you can work over 60 hours a week, he could manage school plus a job.

But if you two agree he should not work, then you have to think about your priorities. Do you want to have a cake and punch wedding? Limit the guest list to just family? Or push back the wedding until you can save more? Just wanting things doesn't mean anything, unless you have a realistic plan to get them.

View Quoted Comment Aww yeah it may take some traveling then! But even online raffles and contests are life savers. And amazon!! I got some of our table decor there super cheap. Depending on what look, feel, and inspiration you’re going for, you may find a bride on here getting married in 2018 that’s willing to sell you her decor after her wedding at a fraction of the cost! I know I’ll be looking to do just that since lord knows I have no use for 70+ tealights or gold numbers on stands going forward 😂😂

View Quoted Comment I’ve given my reasons as to why I’m not pressuring him or angry at him for not being able to contribute. However it doesn’t lessen the stress I have over paying for everything.
and I do understand that wanting and getting are not always the same thing. Today it just bubbled over that I’m workingthis much and I’m still not getting even half the money I wanted to for this wedding.
i am considering removing our lunch reception, but with out of town guests it feels rude.
i know I have time. Just ruminating, complaining, crying, no big.

View Quoted Comment You could use the numbers to count the months when you have you first child? Lol!!
A lot of budget weddings happen in my town so I’ll ask around for everyone’s sloppy seconds here soon. Thanks for the advice. Appreciate the sympathy.

There are lots of ways to save. But also be realistic about what you are cutting and if the diy project will actually save you anything. Sometimes just buying the materials on your own can end up costing as much as buying a grenade item. Especially if you have to redo or correct mistakes. Make sure it's worth it before spending the time on it.
Look for sales and deals. We found the groom's clothes on Amazon and at kohl's. You might be able to buy used table cloths cheaper than renting them. Then you can try to sell them after the wedding to make some money back. Ikea has several great cheap ideas for centerpieces like candles, picture frames and small lanterns.
Keep the bridal party small or don't have one. That will save money on bridal party gifts And you can probably eliminate the rehersal And rehersal dinner. If there is no need for a rehersal dinner, maybe FMIL would be ok with you using the money she would have spent on dinner for another part of the wedding. Maybe to get flowers of the groom's clothing

And some things should not be cut. If you have a bridal party, gifts for them are required. They don't have to be expensive, but you need to get them something. I would also suggest at least providing beer and wine for your guests. I know the budget is tight, but your guests will appreciate it.
And your FMIL's requires guest list is ridiculous in my opinion. She has agreed to pay for the rehearsal dinner, but that does not mean that she gets to take over the guest list. Talk to your FH and see which people he is close to and wants there. Then explain to FMIL that your budget Wil not allow for all of those people on hwr list to be onvited. She will have to deal with it.

A couple people have suggested a backyard or park for a reception location. Do your research before deciding on that. It can actually end up costing a lot more than an indoor venue. You will need a backup plan for bad weather, like a tent, which will for more. And you will need to bring tables, chairs, lighting, etc. Maybe contact local park districts that have indoor spaces for rent. Are you members of a church that has a basement or space that can be used for the reception?
You may also be able to save some money by having a morning wedding with a brunch reception. You could do mimosas, soda, tea, eggs, waffle bar, etc. Catering brunch is usually a little less expensive.

It’s not my place but I really think you guys should wait till after school when he has a job. What’s the rush? You will love each other the same and less stress. Your day will mean so much more with less stress. Your budget will be bigger. You both will be happy to contribute. A marriage license will not change your situation. Sit down and plan for the best day of your life a wedding should not be planned by just 1 person

View Quoted Comment I’m impressed at getting grooms clothes in cheap ways, I’m nervous about doing that.
alcohol is a no go for reception due to conservative parents and grandparents. After party at some bar will have it and we’ll just have an open tab for the bridal party, invite the cool cousins and college friends.
We’re looking into churches now, waiting on some emails back.
Thanks for the advice. (:

View Quoted Comment The rush (we have a year and a half engagement) is we are moving in together when he finishes school and we can’t do that unmarried (families would be unhappy). We also have our honeymoon booked already.
And he helps the way he can. Moral support. Opinions. Welding. I don’t like that he seems to be coming off like some lay about jerk. He’s working hard, and he’s going to have a great job when he leaves school. It’s just right now he’s working for that and not for a paycheck and I don’t blame him at all.
And honestly, I wouldn’t want to wait. When we get married we will have been together four years and I love him more than I’ve loved anyone.

View Quoted Comment Not that you called him a lay about jerk but he is helping me plan, I promise. He’s just asleep right now and right now is when I’m stress crying while dieting while looking at my budget while low on sleep 😅

Were working with no money as well, were using our tax return. We found a nice cheap venue, mom helped with the dress were making our apparizers and cake and doing fake flowers with a wedding budget of about 3k

View Quoted Comment Aw, of course! If you are in a cheap enough outdoor venue, you could also rent a tent as an option!

100 people is a lot, especially on a small budget. We've all had to make that hard decision in cutting our guest list, me included. I had 40 guests which was immediate family and closest friends only. Of course there were people unhappy about that decision, but then they got over it. Our wedding was so special because of that intimacy. You're not going to make everyone happy no matter what you do. At the end of the day people will understand you can't invite everyone even though you want to.

I understand your stress completely! My fh works his butt off but unfortunately he is unable to get a second job for the 'spare' money due to his contract. So I work 60 hours a week and will be paying for most of the wedding. We are super blessed that his mom is pitching in about a quarter but the rest is on me. I would have a discussion with your future MIL about the guest list she provided and just be honest. Especially because I'm sure she is aware that her son isn't currently able to work I think she would work with you. Good luck!!

View Quoted Comment Nope, MIL doesn’t get to tell you who to invite if they aren’t contributing to the wedding. You get to pick the guests and 100 is a lot for that budget, but here is an idea if you really feel you need invite that many people: You said that his parents offfered to pay for the rehearsal dinner. Well the rehearsal dinner isn’t mandatory. Ask how much they were planning on contributing for that, then be honest and say you are really struggling with your wedding budget and tell them you would like to skip the rehearsal dinner and use the money they were planning on putting into the rehearsal dinner toward the wedding instead. Seems like that would help a lot.

I was going to suggest postponing. Another option is scaling it down to essentials and have a pot luck reception like a birthday party to help with food costs. I don’t know. There is only so much you can do on your own and killing yourself working so many hours will leave you stressed and exhausted for your special day.. if you are crafty maybe you can make some of things you need like possibly the flowers order a sheet cake instead of expensive wedding cake. Good luck to you