Written by Karin, April 07, 2010

My mother paid $20,000 on my sister's wedding and my husband and I were determined not to spend nearly that amount. We got married at a Renaissance Faire. My dress (cutsom made) cost $125. My husband's garb cost around $200. We let people know we didn't expect gifts and we were cutting costs as much as possible. Friends volunteered to help out left and right (one collected flowers from her garden and made a beautiful bouquet for me). Ask friends what their hobbies are - we didn't know we knew three aspiring photographers, our photos were amazing and free (over 600 of them)! We bought a gift for the officiant and framed photos for the bridesmaid and best man afterwards as gifts. We did not provide any food, but people knew to eat ahead of time. My mother's contribution was buying entrance tickets for family and guests. All total the wedding cost about $1,000.

Since was saved my mother so much compared to my sister's wedding, she paid for our honeymoon.

Written by Jaime, April 07, 2010

Absolutely DIY what you can - but carefully consider the pros and cons on your time and sanity. My sister's mother made the wedding dress and all of the bridesmaids' dresses to save money. But she saved the wedding dress till last and ended up not getting all of the beading done. It still looked fantastic and if you didn't know, you couldn't tell that it wasn't a deliberate design decision - but my sister was in tears over it and her mother was stressed by all of the pressure.

Don't add too much stress to your day and overload your plate.

Written by Selena, April 07, 2010

I am so all about dressing up a tea dress for brides. it saves huge. You can get beautiful dresses from many different outlets like anthropologie, j crew, or even a thrift store. check out the etsy page for great shrugs to go dress up any dress. www.okaysk.etsy.com. Also peruse etsy for other fabulous bridal accessories at a great price. Bonzie and English dept. are some of my favs.

Also when I got married I did my own flowers. I went to the farmers market we have here in Seattle and bought bundles of flowers, me and a couple of friends stayed up the night before and made our own flower bouquets we had an empty fridge that we turned way down to store them in over night. it was a big hit and under $100!
Thanks!!

Written by anne, April 07, 2010

I would second the comment by Jaime. Sometimes DYI projects end up costing more when you have to buy all of the supplies. I am a part-time wedding planner and in my area it's actually cheaper to rent items. Also, buying flowers from your local Sam's Warehouse is an an affordable option.

Written by Kenia, April 07, 2010

What are people's opinions on bride maid's dresses? I've been in a couple of weddings, and it was frustrating to dish out $200 for a dress I was only ever going to wear on that one day (because of their style and cut, they're too fancy or cupcake-y for even a fancy cocktail party), PLUS airfare, PLUS lodging, PLUS a gift, PLUS contributing towards the bachelorette party (You're looking at about $1000 per wedding)... I always thought it might be better etiquette for couples to include the cost of dresses in their wedding budget - since, after all, these ladies are wearing these 1-time dresses (of which color and style the bride chooses) for the couple's special day, and nothing else. I just don't feel it's fair to ask someone to dish out $200 for a dress that isn't really for them, it's for the bride and groom, so I was actually planning on buying my bride's maid's dresses for my brides maids when the day comes. There are beautiful dresses out there for $100 or less, but even then I don't want to pass the cost on to them. I suppose you accept such a cost when you accept to be in the wedding party...but what if you are deeply honored, and do wish to be by the bride's side and help with all the planning and arrangements, but are not in a position to pay so much money?? (One of the weddings I was the maid of honor - really, how do you say no to that?)

Written by morgan, April 07, 2010

My partner and I ended up with a wedding that, all told, was under $2K. A friend made the cake, and we used flowers from our garden to decorate it. We had a picnic at my parents' house - it allowed us to make a lot of savings and have a lot of fun with it! We played croquet instead of having dancing and an expensive sound system, food was sandwiches and crudite, instead of renting chairs, we had a bunch of gingham blankets. An early-afternoon time meant that folks weren't expecting a big meal. Also, according to a couple of friends, it was the most fun wedding they had been to all summer!

Written by Miriam, April 07, 2010

My wedding (including immigration forms) cost us about $5000 and people still talk about what a great time it was.

We rented out a pavillion in a state park and had a wonderful fun casual BBQ (good thing because a claustrophobic formal environment would have sent my spouse running). Some of my husband's parents neighbours did the grilling for us as their gift to us. We got platters from a local grocery store. Our cake was made by a stay at home mom who did it as a side business. Decorations came from the state park itself and my mother-in-law's garden.

And every one had so much fun. People were taking walks in the woods and by the beach. We had traditional BBQ games going. My sister-in-law had music on her laptop.

And my dress, $100 on ebay, $100 altered down to my size.

Weddings don't have to be expensive to be spectacular.

Written by Jessica , April 07, 2010

We got a lot of our decorations at a garage sale. The centerpieces I made using silk flowers and copper pieces that my family collected - then went back into the house so every time I see them, I remember the wedding. Friends took photos so we didn't have the expense of a photographer. Best of all, we paid cash for all the arrangements and didn't start our marriage off with debt.

Written by Laura, April 07, 2010

I'd have to agree with Selena, tea dresses, thrift shop finds and handmade, by you and friends, or on etsy. Here's a link to some lovely handmade wedding items:
http://artisansgalleryteam.blo...tml#links
Some friends of mine began their lives together in debt; I think that's unfortunate and unnecessary.

Written by L Woods, April 07, 2010

Another great idea, is get all the attendee's to upload there pictures to one spot, flickr, snapfish, or kodak, then create your own hardback photo book for a keepsake. Some of the most candid shots by your guests are often the best...and mixing them with someone who you ask to take the classic sets of pictures.
It's a fraction of the cost ... and so much more meaningful.
Fun for you, fun for them!

Written by Monette Satterfield, April 07, 2010

In my case, it clearly wasn't the cost of the wedding that indicated its success. My husband and I were married by a JP in a chapel 23 years ago.

We had been planning on a February wedding but decided (very spur of the moment) to get married earlier - December 23. I had my wedding dress - a simple white satin tea length gown - custom made by a seamstress, my maid of honor wore the bridesmaid dress I had worn at her wedding and my husband and groomsman wore the best suits they had.

Every thing was arranged in a couple weeks so there was no time to spend a lot of money, which we didn't have anyway. We didn't even have invitations; some of our friends actually called us to say they had heard we were getting married and could they come :)

There was a small reception afterward and we all had great time even if it did pour buckets of rain. I always look back on that night very fondly.

I am thinking about a renewal ceremony to mark our silver anniversary that might be a little more extravagant. But, there's still no reason for spending a fortune even though we can afford more now.

Written by Katie, April 07, 2010

Hiring a planner CAN save you money - most people think it's an additional expense, but think of the discounts they get from their preferred suppliers, the experience they have in stretching a budget and working with many differents budgets in the past. We have been through a lot of weddings and seen where people have spent their money wisely - those are resources we love sharing and working into our future bride and groom's weddings!

Written by Meghan, April 07, 2010

Check out www.shopsavvycinderella.com. It's a wedding classified site that just launched (and we're a Daily Worth members) to help newlyweds sell their gently used wedding items to brides to be!

Who We Are
Savvy Cinderella is an online classified site for all things wedding. Looking for a once loved ring pillow? Searching every online boutique to find that designer wedding dress you love online? Look no further. Brides-to-be browse can browse our listings for fabulous wedding day finds. Newlyweds can list their wedding finds here after their big day is done. Savvy Cinderella even offers free listings. *The first 100 people to list a basic listing will get a free upgrade (worth $25!).

Our Story
Once upon a time (at the age of twenty-four to be exact), Meghan Lazier was honored to have stood-up as a bridesmaid in four of her closest friends' weddings, but felt uneasy at the thought of someday spending so much money on a fabulous day of her own. She realized that there needed to be a way to connect style-conscious brides who were total strangers – because there are just some things that friends don't want to share (like the same wedding colors). Like all good fairy tales, the happily ever after is just beginning with the launch of Savvy Cinderella.

Written by MP Dunleavey, April 08, 2010

I got this email from a DW reader, breaking down the spending for her $6,000 wedding. Cool beans! (My biggest sympathy with the Cutting of The Guest List. That's how my husband and I kept our wedding costs down. Tough but worth it.)

Katherine writes:

We are getting married on May 15, 2010 and we are doing everything in our power to keep it to $6,000.

We have 44 guests. (first hurdle, cutting the list and sticking to it) $60/head (including open bar) $2,750 (plus tip and tax) Our location is a restaurant with a large patio that butts up to a wooded forest, all events will happen there, price was extremely reasonable, they are very flexible, and the wedding is a Saturday but at noon so they can re-set for dinner at 5:30. No extra charges.

Our invites were done by weddingpaperdivas.com. Actually I used to be a wedding invite designer myself and the technology has changed so much that I couldn't have done these cheaper or faster myself. $44.00 for modified "shower" invites but they are super cute. $60 for matching thank yous. Used the leftover Christmas stamps, no new charge.

We have a wedding blog that has a tool for all of the rsvp info, lodging, registry. It's free, no postage or paper costs, and it won't get lost in anyone's other mail.

The dress was more than I planned, but when you find "the one" you know it. I had budgeted $400 and it was $825.

Fun blue sequin shoes, totally re-wearable afterwards, $100.

We are doing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, $250 total. $75 for a stand (I had to cave somewhere).

Justice of the Peace, $200, all of which is donated to a therapy practice to aid those unable to pay for services.

Marriage license and 2 copies, $70.

Bridesmaid is doing most of the flowers, no table decorations other than what the restaurant usually does, $200.

Bridesmaid is also a hairdresser, no charge.

Rings: I am taking my grandmother's band and he is having a band made by a friend/jewelry designer: no cost.

Favors: we are doing a fun/playful theme. So far we have spent $50 on animal crackers, $75 on Spaldeens, $21 on sidewalk chalk and $50 on red boxes.
Custom rubber stamp, $9.00

Tux rental: standard (I actually don't know what it is...)

All that is left is thank you gifts for the wedding party. Budget is $100 per person, total $500.

Written by Lorraine, April 08, 2010

The comment posted by the bride who used the Renaissance Faire as her venue to save money was a step in the right direction for being frugul,but she mis-stepped over to plain cheap when she said they did not "feed the guests". What exactly did she provide her invited guests? A wedding is a party that the newly married couple hosts for friends and family. To expect folks to kick in and provide them with freebies from flowers to pictures and of course receive wedding gifts was crass. With the money her Mom saved on the freebies she got, she could have a a very simple fun meal from heavy finger foods, to a buffet. I would like to know what her guests did at this wedding? It was more important to go on a honeymoon (paid by Mom) then to feed her guests.

Written by Katherine, April 08, 2010

@Kenia - Katherine here, from post above. But I have my attendants wearing anything they want, preferably from their closets, but if they buy then it MUST be something that they will wear again. All 3 chose to buy something but all are quite beautiful dresses that suit each one perfectly and that they all have further plans for. I also declined all requests for showers or bachelorette. I don't think I would have been offended if they asked me to pay for their dresses, and If I did a match-y theme then I may have offered up front.

Written by Kenia, April 08, 2010

@ Katherine - Wow, you were a super considerate bride! :) The two weddings I've been in, plus weddings my roomate and a couple of close girlfriends were in, were all cinderella-like, match-y theme dresses that cost $200+. For every one of us, the expectation was that we would pay for our own dresses (and sometimes, the expectation was ALSO to pay for our hair and make-up). I'd be floored by a bride who would offer to pay for these types of dresses up front, simply because I've never witnessed that before! lol I felt especially bad for one of my girlfriends who paid a couple hundred for an autumn-themed gown, that was a brown color she HIGHLY disliked, and was so poofy she could only see herself wearing it again for Halloween(she's also a tomboy that NEVER wears skirts or dresses, lol). Her brother was the groom so she felt obligated to accept being in the bridal party. In any case, I've been considering buying a plastic crown and going as princess toadstool for halloween one year, with one of the princess dresses I have in my closet. Maybe my boyfriend can go as Mario...haha

Written by Michelle, April 08, 2010

Some frugal highlights ...
1) I coordinated church flowers with the other bride who was getting married the same day and we split the cost. (And we only had flowers on the altar.)
2) A friend helped me buy tulips wholesale and the day of the reception we hacked the stems to the desired length and plopped them in various bud vases from Michaels and Wal-Mart. These with votive candles were our only table decorations at the reception, but it looked great!
3) The day after the wedding, I took loads of flowers (from the reception AND the bridesmaid bouquets) to the oncology ward at a local hospital and a nursing home. Good karma!
4) I told my bridal party to wear a black cocktail dress and black heels of their choosing. I don't think anyone needed to buy a dress and they all looked gorgeous! They were comfortable and very happy. Everyone did their own hair and makeup. I gave everyone a pair of earrings and took us to lunch on the big day.

Bottom line? We had a lovely sit down dinner for 90 people, open bar the entire night, paid the DJ to go later, an amazing two-week honeymoon ... so I won't pretend that we were frugal all-around. But we invested in the things that mattered the most to us AND had a wedding that everyone still raves about!

Written by Katherine, April 11, 2010

@Kenia - I too have been the wearer of less than re-wearable attire. I hate the wasteful spending, avoid it at every turn. Yes, it's a big day but nobody will remember anything that anyone wore (unless Lady Gaga is there or an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction occurs), hopefully they will remember being considered, being part of a warm and wonderful day, our commitment to one another.

I have a friend who has a "Bad Bridesmaid Party" the entry fee of which is a hideous dress, the fashion show that ensues rewards the most hideous, and fun is had by all.

5 weeks away!

Written by Fashion Without Guilt, April 12, 2010

And another way in my mind of cutting cost but still having a fabulous day is if you want a beach wedding renting a beach house, big enough to accomodate you and your guests. I do not plan on having a lot of guest. I want something more intimate and cost effective. If you rent a house that have a right off the water you can have the wedding right in your backyard. And following the reception could be held in the lower level of the home. Two for the price of one, you can't beat that.

Written by Sarai Jones, April 12, 2010

To save money on food but not do potluck, think differently. I run a dinner prep store called Dinner My Way. If you are not familiar with these places it's like take 'n bake pizza but with a wide range of foods. There are hundreds of different ones; Dinners Galore, Dream dinners, etc.
If you book a location that has a full kitchen and let's you bring in your own food, such as a community center, you can have these places prepare large caterer size trays of main dishes and sides at about $2-5 per person.
Then you can add rolls and salad and you're set.

Some of these business owners don't always think outside the box so you may have to help them see the light.

Written by Allyson, April 19, 2010

I just helped out a girlfriend with her wedding and the entire budget for the wedding was $2,000. She got married at the church (which is no cost at our church as long as it doesn't interfere with services) She found a venue for the reception she loved which was $1,000 per day on the weekend - but they only charges $75 if you could rent it mid-week, so Friday wedding it was. They got married at 10:00 am and then had a brunch reception for 150 people but since the food was danish, croissants, bagels, and muffins it didn't cost much. Friends brought homemade quiche. They had a champagne bar with raspberries. Table decorations were bowls of floating flowers (bought at Costco - and you just need the tops so no worries if you are not good at arranging bouquets) and tea lights - it was beautiful!

Written by Florida Beach Weddings, April 19, 2010

I just arrange a small reception and invite few my close friend and relative on my wedding. We arranged everything in one week so simply.