Saving $

View Quoted Comment I’m pretty sure it’s the dress I’m looking at! I still have yet to try it on but love the satin and the cap sleeves. Pockets are just icing on the cake!

Find diy. Pinterest is great idea. Utilize family and friends before hiring pros

View Quoted Comment Oooh an art museum! That is so cool! I can’t wait to see your wedding pictures!

View Quoted Comment Having a photographer in the family would really help...

View Quoted Comment I’ve heard renting out a restaurant for a reception is cheaper than what a wedding venue would be...

My wedding is going to be super simple, look on Etsy for things, Amazon, etc.
we’re doing our own decorations, simple trip to the dollar store and Walmart. Mason jars paints in our color with fake flowers.
My dress I made sure to buy from a place in Cali before we moved down to Illinois (129$ with tax)
my aunt is doing all the food, and knows the cake place we’re using, as well as the photographer being her family. She knows the reception hall ppl and we’re looking at churches here this next week- they usually require just a donation-for the ones we’re checking out. I have majority of all of the clothing done, flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillow, guest book, cake topper, flower girl dress, suits and bridesmaids dresses, I’ve noticed if they already have suits (the men and groom) just switch out parts that either don’t fit or they’re the wrong color. Saves a lot on cost. I’ve already bought my garter, honeymoon lingerie, etc. and I’ve only spent about 400$ including my dress! Go get nice paper plates from dollar tree and silverware and cups to match. Theres tons of ways to save, just gotta find them 👍🏻♥️ Hope this helps! I also already bought the bridesmaids and groomsmen and maid of honor and best man gifts as well as the fathers gifts.

Hi Larissa, I live in Utah and due to the LDS religion a lot of marriages happen and a majority of them are youngsters. As you can imagine young peoe straight out of high school or college do not have a lot of money so what they typically due to save money are as follows: rent a dress, wear a simple white dress that you could find at Macy's or Marshall's. Also, if you want the bridal look buy your dress off the rack at the as close to your size as possible to reduce alteration cost. Also, do not hite a dj make a playlist and put a family member in charge. As for food have finger foods that you can buy in bulk from costco or cater from a local fast food place like costa vida or cafe rio. For me cafe rio quoted $300 for about 70 guests. For venue use a local church and there cafeteria, school gym or local park. Please let me know if you have anymore questions. My friend had a beautiful wedding for $2000 with 100 people.

Weddings are crazy expensive. Depending what you have near your town, you may be able to rent a cabin for hundreds less than a venue, and maybe even a park pavilion for cheaper yet. As for the food, we are buying sandwich meats and cheeses from the local delivery bar at the grocery store, along with veggie trays and fruit trays and some different rolls and condiments, little baggies of chips and bottled water and sodas. I'm not getting a regular dress, I'm wearing a red tea length that I'll probably end up making (could buy online for cheaper but I'm allergic to a bunch of stuff and it's better for me just to make my dress). Flowers- dollar tree is amazing!! Sure you have to be picky about the flowers, and you may have to reshape them but that's easy peasy. A curling iron and hot glue gun are all you need. Cake is simple-minded make a boxed cake or three or cookies or brownies or whatever you like, we are having personal cheesecakes and for the veganites that are going to be there, vegan cupcakes or whatever they fancy (my sister and her family so maybe a total of 4 veganites but enough for others who don't like cheesecake to have if they so choose). Decorations can be diy as well from eBay or the dollar store. You can get a cathedral veil for less than a dollar on eBay, too (mine was I think 21 cents USD). Same with rings (make sure you pay attention though!!) You can find almost everything on eBay too. (Love eBay!!) Lighting is also super cheap on eBay you just have to pay attention to the plugs. Make sure to get the right plug for your country. Be brave but be picky.

Typically it'll say the average is 30k but recently I have heard a lot about budget brides so i'd say between 5-15k, you can cut costs by skipping the stationary or making one big sign (so no programs, menues, seating placements, reserved seats, etc), e-vites or simple invites, low guest list, skip favors, wine and beer only, depending on what specifically you care most about, you can get a student or someone starting their own buisness as they are cheaper (but make sure to look at reviews and work)

Congrats! As others have said, the main factors for cost comes down to venue and the food. For 50 people, I would estimate about $8000 give or take. The average venue for your size group would be about $2500 depending on the season. You can generally get a cheaper price if you get married during the off-season. If you want to cut some costs, you could do the ceremony in a church which generally won't cost as much, or you could find a venue that is an all in one location. Food wise to minimize cost, do a buffet or do heavy appetizers and think local. Build your own tacos are generally fairly inexpensive and let's be real, most people LOVE tacos! Cake - find a local small business and consider just doing a single tier for you all to cut, then maybe something else for dessert. You can do things like pie, cookies, mini cupcakes (we are getting ours 2 dozen for $30), s'mores, etc.

One thing to always consider when planning a wedding is what people will remember: was the food good, was the music rocking and was it a good party. People want to celebrate you as a couple and have a good time. A meaningful ceremony, and a good party will make it enjoyable for your guests AND you.

Cut out things that are extras like favors and photo booths. With that many people you can get away with a playlist instead of a DJ. You can skip flowers and just use candles are centerpieces or get flowers in bulk at Costco.

Research, research, research! I was able to find a few free and low-cost venues, lower-cost catering, and some better options for wedding dresses (second hand websites, Amazon, etc, I went with Azazie). What area are you in? Definitely ask for help with your specific area, there are a lot of budget brides who have searched before you!

A relative lives in Syracuse and got married at the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. They had 50 people for a Friday night wedding in mid-October. The Inn is lovely and was perfect for the size of their wedding. I'm not sure of the cost of their wedding, but I'm nearly certain it was under $15,000 (maybe more like $10,000?) and they had a LOT of extras (e.g., string quartet, VERY premium full bar, filet mignon, etc., etc.). She got her flowers through Wegman's and they were gorgeous, and she said they were significantly less expensive than anywhere else she talked to. I think the Inn also does morning lunch/brunch weddings (which are usually less expensive in most places). I think you said you're looking at December, but sometimes, depending on the venue, January is less expensive (you'll be competing with lots of Christmas party bookings in December). We're in So Cal, but we saved $5000 on daughter's semi-inclusive venue in January compared with any other month. Good luck!

The cost of weddings will depend a lot on the area you live. A small guest count (which you have) is a great way to keep costs down. Your most expensive vendors will be: venue, photography, and catering/alcohol. To save money, I'd just take what ever extra money you can from each pay check and put it towards the wedding. A long engagement will give you longer to pay for things as well. Book your vendors early, so you know how much you will need, then make payments throughout a long engagement process. We are trying our best to have a super budget friendly wedding, but we do have a large guest count (big families, no way around it). Our wedding will cost in total around $13,000.

View Quoted Comment Two years of planning is great! You’ll do great. Everyone here’s given som great advice. It’s def a marathon and not a sprint. Be true to your and fiancé and do all that you both desire for your wedding. ☺️

I went to one bridal show years ago with a friend. It just seemed like a lot of fluff and sales. Like they’re pushy about signing with them on the spot and the bridal show was ehhh. Lots of designers and the top wedding industry capitalists lol. Butttttttt they have vendors for food sometime and you can try soooo much food lol-that was a perk. I didn’t visit a bridal show for my wedding tho. I went with smaller local vendors and friends businesses. Wanted more of a personal touch on everything.

My wedding cost 7k. Keep the guest list short and cut unnecessarys like a florist and planner. Do as much DIY as possible. Look for clearance sales as well. Out rehearsal dinner is pizza at our house.

We saved probably 30-40% on our total wedding cost by having a wedding on Friday night! If that’s an option (check with you VIP guests for their availability) ask venues and other vendors for their Friday pricing. Our venue would have been WAY out of budget on a Saturday (12K) (but our families were happy with a Friday wedding so we were able to make it fit in budget (5k). We also got a discount (less but still helps) from our caterer and DJ, and had our pick of florists, officiants, etc. since Saturday’s book up like crazy.

Our wedding in Texas for about 100 people costs $20,000. But that’s for a weekday venue and includes all expenses like dress and hair/makeup.

I originally planned on a 50 person guest list, backyard wedding catered by a local country store at around 6k budget. Nope. Nope nope nope. I'm working two jobs, so DIY'ing and prepping the yard for a wedding was just not going to happen - rental costs added up quickly and I got overwhelmed. I reevaluated what was important to me.

Now, budget is 4K for 14 people (immediate family only). Sticking to a backyard ceremony since being married at our home was important to us both. But moving the reception to a local bed and breakfast that is going to do a private cocktail hour and dinner @ $70/person (taxes and tip included in this figure, so about $1000 total for food and drink).

My dress was a previous year design so I got it on sale for $600 from a local boutique.

I used thumbtack.com to find a photographer - she has reviews on weddingwire as well, but I really liked thumbtacks quoting feature to find out what my options were. I also used thumbtack to find a makeup artist - she came and did a trial in my home and is doing onsite makeup for me for $100 total on wedding day. My stepmom is doing my hair.

I'm budgeting $750 for wedding bands. I still need to purchase these, but I'm probably ordering from bluenile.com - they have simple bands with decent prices and promo codes to save a little extra. A 2mm 14k low dome white gold band for me and a 5mm 18k yellow gold comfort fit band for him comes to $759 with taxes and shipping if I time it right with a promo code.

I have about a $300 budget for grooms attire - considering purchasing a suit from hockerty.com - custom sizing and design options puts me just over budget at $350 - or we may go a bit more casual with a linen pant and shirt to be under budget around $250, whatever he's comfortable in.

Invites were from etsy $50 total for full suite including detail card and rsvp card with address package and postage - I didnt want to DIY, too busy! Heres the vendor, she was great to work with! https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteLaceDesign/items?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=17355176 No DJ since we're going for an intimate dinner vibe.

Florals I'm renting from somethingborrowedblooms.com where you can rent silk flower arrangements - just a bouquet, bout, and a floral dog collar with shipping will be about $100.

Budgeting another $200 for mani/pedis with my mom. And finally we are staying overnight at the bed and breakfast for a minimoon at $250 for the one night stay - I may also use this as a bridal suite to get ready, we will see. So far I've paid the overnight accomodations, dinner deposit, dress, alterations and accessories. Photographer deposit is being paid this week. Hoping to order rings and grooms attire next.

View Quoted Comment

I struggled with budgeting and having a big party for everyone else too. It sounds like you and your fiance are paying for the wedding - so just remember that is IS up to you if you wanted to elope to Maine with just 10 people! I struggled with the idea big time myself - but finally decided that it's what WE want, and small and intimate is what we are going to do. I was worried what friends and other family would think, but I've gotten zero negative remarks. Best of luck!