- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
My wedding is cheap. As much as I wish I could have a 30,000$ wedding, I can't. And to be honest, I probably wouldn't anyway because I'd rather put that money towards a house. I'm in college, my fiance works at a low paying job 40 hours a week. We have a 7 month old little girl. I didn't ask for much. I wanted a small, back yard wedding with 30 people or so. Well, thanks to family our guest list turned to 65- but still, not so bad. My entire wedding cost around 3,000- including my 160$ dress I found on sale, tux rentals, lots of DIY projects and cutting corners. My father agree'd to pay for that. I mean, the average wedding is a gazillion times more than what I am asking for. Not to mention, my fiance and I have wiped out our savings account paying for "extras".
My dad calls me 30 minutes ago, screaming saying he will only give me 375$ more. He has only given me 400$ so far. So where does that leave me, a month before my wedding? Fucked.
Do I call it off? Do I take out a freaking loan? What the hell am I suppose to do?
My dad is a piece of shit and I should have known better than to depend on him for anything. He HAS the money. He lives in a 600,000$ house, owns his own company, drives nice cars. Yet, he can't afford to pay for the rest of my wedding. Perhaps he should sell his 5,000$ rolex. I'm sick of him screwing me over my whole life. And now, my wedding is ruined. I don't know what to do. I am shaking I am so upset.
Oh no!!! I am so sorry this happened. Is there any chance you could ask another family member? Maybe get a loan from one of them? I wish you the best and positive thoughts your way.
I am so sorry about this- young lady. One day I believe you will not have to compromise on something this important, but I don't blame you for being upset. Praying for you right now-
((HUGS))
I have a practical mind, so this is what I immediately thought: what are your biggest oustanding costs, and how can you get creative?
Is it food? Call your aunts, cousins, and best friends, and get a pot luck going.
Is it booze? Go cheaper. Cut wine out, do one keg, just have spiked punch. Two giant $40 bottles of vodka or rum and some creativity should go a long way.
Cancel the tux rentals if you can, if FI owns a suit.
If you have to put a few things on a CC, it isn't the end of the world if you know exactly how you will pay it off.
YOU CAN DO IT. Its time to get creative and ask for favours from friends. I think that if you calmly explain the situation, you can make it happen.
I'm so sorry you're going through this! How awful! It really sucks that your dad is doing this to you.
I know it's not exactly what you want, but I say throw on your dress, grab your nearest and dearest and head to city hall! Then head back to your backyard, fire up the grill and have a really great, very chill night with the people you love.
Don't go into debt for your wedding if you can help it, it's about so much more than one day! It's about your future and your MARRIAGE!
Man, normally when I read these posts I think the poster is ungrateful or expects too much. But your dad sounds like an asshole, and I think he's being inconsiderate and unreasonable. I'm sorry and I don't know what to tell you. :( Is there any way that you could push back the wedding until you save up more to pay for it yourselves? Or, if you haven't send out STDs or invites yet, I would just put your foot down with the guest list. You don't need to invite obligatory guests if your dad is being this way. Sending good thoughts your way...
Is this like your dad? The emotional outbursts? Did he give a reason? I guess what I'm really wondering is whether it would be possible to let him calm down then talk with him about it and hopefully have him change his mind..... backing out of $3000 for a wedding this late in the game does seem a bit unprecedented.
((((HUGS)))) I know it's tough and you probably just want to curl up in a corner and not come out. Maybe tonight you can break out some ice cream and brownies and rum, and watch sad movies, and tomorrow wake up to new energy and form a game plan.
Are there things you can still cut? Are you having it catered? You could cancel your caterer (eat the deposit - no pun intended) and do a potluck.
Are there other people who might be willing to chip in some money, even a few hundred dollars? Grandparents (on either side of the family), aunts/uncles, your FI's parents, you mom, etc.? If you can drum up most of the money, or even if a friend or relative could loan it to you interest free, that's a lot better than taking a loan from the bank. It stinks to ask for money, but if you explain the situation they'll probably be really understanding.
A lot of things have probably already been paid for, right? (DIY supplies, etc.) Are those things you put on a credit card and still need to pay back, or were you planning to reimburse yourself? Ultimately, I'd look at what is LEFT to pay, consider what you've already paid your own contribution to the wedding and move forward without trying to 'reimburse' yourself those expenses (assuming they aren't waiting to be paid off on a credit card).
Could you do a fundraiser like a bake sale (or sell sth else) for the wedding? Ask friends, bridesmaids, etc. to chip in baked goods and sell them at someone's busy workplace? Anything to drum up some money at this point is better than nothing.
I'm having a small, inexpensive wedding myself, just about your size. It makes more sense to me, too. =-)
You said your father called screaming. What set him off, exactly? Is it something he might cool off about later and give you the final two thousand? If not, another thing to consider is what has been paid for already and what you have left. For what you still need to pay for, ask if you can do this on a payment plan. Or, cancel the order and ask family and friends to help out...a potluck like some have mentioned. Fire up the grill. Have a friend play mixed cds rather than hiring a DJ. All in all, what matters most is the fact the the two of you are getting married, so, if need be I agree with the idea of putting on your dress and hitting city hall, then having a reception/cook out with the family and friends. Good luck, sweetie. I know no matter what your day will be beautiful!
My dad pulls this crap all the time with added violence. I decided I wasn't going to invite him or ask for his help, and only invite 30 people and not budge on it especially since Fiance and I are full time students paying for the wedding ourselves. Since it's too close to the wedding to cut your list since invites went out, I'd talk to a family member about a loan as someone else suggested, nix the alcohol all together, and find other small areas to cut. Perhaps not get your hair and make up done, have a friend do it. Good luck!
I'm so sorry to hear this :( Do you think your dad meant it? Or maybe he was just upset and he needed to rail on someone, so he spoke without thinking? Maybe talk to him when you've both cooled off and express to him that you've never asked for much and you'd appreciate it if he stuck to his word.
If talking to your dad is not an option, I would go with monitajb's advice. She's right, you can have a wedding with very little money. Just go to city hall, then head home and fire up the grill :) Or you can pull a Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big on the SATC movie--just have a breakfast reception with an intimate group. It's not the details that will determine how beautiful your wedding will be, it's the people who are celebrating with you. Good luck hun!
Maybe you can cut back on something else? Probly not what you're wanting to hear, I realize that. You can maybe change to a potluck reception, or a dessert & punch reception? Its what FI & I did & it saved us hundreds! Our wedding is only costing like $600. Costco cakes, clearance dress, student photographer, using jewelry/shoes I already have & at my local church & DIY everything.
Did he say he'd pay for a specific amount? Or maybe he didn't realize how much everything would be.I don't think he's trying to "ruin" your wedding... some people just don't think 1 day should cost so much. Maybe he'd rather give you something in the future, maybe his business isn't doing as great as usual, or he thinks you should come up with more money. Can your job give you extra hours? Maybe you can try babysitting to earn extra money if that can't happen?
You're lucky you're having help from him at all... I know lots of people who had no help from their parents, whether they had the money or not. & not to sound rude, but just because your dad doesn't give you money doesn't mean he's not good. & honestly, if I was called that because I wouldn't give someone money, I wouldn't give them anything at all. But that's just the way I am.
Just work with what you've got & have fun. Don't worry about not having "everything" because at the end of the day, you'll be married to your then husband & that will be worth it :).
EDIT: I do think its very wrong of him to "change his mind" on you last minute. That would be terrible :(. I'm sorry things are all crazy. Just try to be nice to him, not to suck up to him, but he doesn't really have to give you anything. I've seen relationships become destroyed over money & failure to keep promises & its sad. Hopefully he does what he said & will pay for what he said he'd pay for. Its just very wrong of him if he doesn't & so hopefully he sees that.
I am so sorry you're dealing with this! What a horrible thing to do. My dad pulled the rug out on me like that too, except he did it with my college loans. ("Just take out a loan now, but I'll pay it off when you graduate" yeah right!) But at least I have time to pay that back over time. He's really putting you in a spot being only a month out.
Normally I would never recommend that someone take out a loan for a wedding, but since you only need about $2500, and you need it with such short notice, I think you should do it. It wouldn't be that difficult to pay off over time, and maybe you could even use some of the money you get as gifts to pay it back. I know it sucks, but it's worth at least going to the bank and seeing what the payments would be, right?
I'm so sorry you're stuck with this a month out :( I wish I could tell you to say “F--- you!” to your dad and uninvite him, but having a father who does the same thing to me, I know it’s just not that easy. But you will get through it, even if you have to cut back, remember the wedding is just a party, it's the marriage that counts! When you get down, just think about the fact that your child has your soon-to-be-husband in her life, so she won’t have to know what it’s like to have a father like yours :(
I agree with the previous suggestion of asking family members to bring food for a potluck style reception and cancel the catering if possible. I really would not want to go into a ton of debt over this, especially since it sounds like you might not have the money to pay it off.
What do you still have left to pay for... as far as "extras" go?
and where did you need that money to go? Food and...
serabell, To clarify my anger towards my dad... it wasn't totally because of the money issue. It's the way he talked to me. He screamed and yelled and accused me of lying to him about how much money he has already given me. My dad is a con artist. Anyone who knows him, knows how he is and what he does and even though family warned me not to get my hopes up on him paying for the wedding, I did... and I got let down. He blamed my mother, who told me from the get-go she couldn't afford to help. Which, I totally understand. But my dad is the type who shows off his fancy things and what not and says "Oh, of course. I'll give my daughter a proper wedding"... then when it comes time to actually do it, he backs out, turns everything around and makes me feel like shit. He is and always has been emotionally abusive towards me.
On that note, I did figure out a way around everything. I cancelled te catering, and plan on going to costco or sams tomorrow and ordering fruit, cheese and meat trays. Which works our great because my wedding is at 8 in the evening anyway. And FMIL offered to pay for it, which makes me feel terrible, but she insists. We're going to cut some more corners, and have the wedding without borrowing money from anyone, including my father.
I really appreciate everyone's advice, support and help. It means a lot to me!
My FILs are pros at being like this. In October they gave FSIL over 10k for her wedding but refused to give us a hundred dollars when we asked for help with a certain deposit. With that being said though we're doing a decent outdoor wedding for approx 50 people for under 1k with less than a 500 dollar food budget. Let me know if you need any help figuring out how to lower costs. Overall I'm sorry your dad is putting you through this, you're definitely not alone- I'm not even sure my dad knows I'm getting married to be honest with you.
you can cut out flowers in the centerpieces completely. You can cut the nuymber of flowers that are in your bouquets and BM bouquets too. put out small candy bars or in a dish on each table. or possibly use candles. get that pot luck going! home cooked food is always comforting. No need for programs at the wedding, no need for menu cards for dinner. cancel the DJ and use your IPOD playlist.
im glad you are figuring it out! and good for you for figuring out how to put together a wedding on such a challenging budget. its good that you seem to know that it is about you are your fiance getting married.. not about all the other bells and whistles. you guys will do fine.. and remember, you will get gifts as well. congrats!
My heart went up to my mouth when I read this.. and I just thought oh sh!t and then I read later that you worked your way around it!
First of all im very sorry you went through this. it sucks. Second of all.. im so stoked that you came up with an alternative.
what a relief!
I am so sorry. It sounds like he's pretty darn 2 faced, bleck.
We are on a very tight budget ourselves. Cut costs where you can. If you're having booze nix the liquor and get a keg, or two. Make you're own food/buy in bulk. If you're doing flowers and have a florist doing them can you cancel and diy flower and buy in bulk and arrange yourself?
Look around you and figure out what can be altered to fit a tighter budget and go with it. You can get it done.
If you knew your dad was like this before, if I knew it, maybe tucking some away for a rainy day might have been a way to go if he is untrustworthy?
With such a short time, I'd talk to your FI and see if his family could help and yes, maybe its' time for a loan. Normally I'd say not to do anything like this as I don't say that's a good thing to do (go into any kind of debt for one day) but if the wedding is that close, a 3k loan might be the trick. You could work one day a week, maybe on a weekend to get extra money to pay for the loan or something...
I'm so sorry you're going thru this. I have a mom who's a total jerk and I sympathize so much with you. My mom? She's not coming. Not invited either. And she stole over 250k from my sis and I from our inheritance in the last days of my grandfathers' life.
Just stay positive! Maybe go talk to a friend at your bank?
If you knew your dad was like this before, if I knew it, maybe tucking some away for a rainy day might have been a way to go if he is untrustworthy?
With such a short time, I'd talk to your FI and see if his family could help and yes, maybe its' time for a loan. Normally I'd say not to do anything like this as I don't say that's a good thing to do (go into any kind of debt for one day) but if the wedding is that close, a 3k loan might be the trick. You could work one day a week, maybe on a weekend to get extra money to pay for the loan or something...
I'm so sorry you're going thru this. I have a mom who's a total jerk and I sympathize so much with you. My mom? She's not coming. Not invited either. And she stole over 250k from my sis and I from our inheritance in the last days of my grandfathers' life.
Just stay positive! Maybe go talk to a friend at your bank?
what all do you need now, maybe we can help you with ideas to make it within reach. sometimes people suck, and i wish i could kick all their asses somedays, but tomorrow, you will be happy, and he will still suck. so let us know what your going to miss out on, and maybe we can help you. sorry he is such a jerk!
Family friend is paying for DJ as our wedding gift, ordering flowers from costco for bouquets, got my dress on sale for 160$, FMIL bought champagne for a toast, maid of honor is making our favors, so that pretty much leaves us with tent/chair/table rental- which we got a good deal on. Cake is paid for. Tuxes are paid for. Decorations have been bought. It will work out. May not be every girls dream weddding, but I am marrying my dream guy and my best friend and nothing else even matters at this point. Thanks again everyone.
I don't have any advice to offer. I just want to let you know that I am sending positive thoughts your way and hope that it all works out. I also have a dissapointing father and can understand your anger. I hope you know that his behavior is no reflection on you.
Find someone to hug you and grab him/her. Repeat.
Hugs and positive thoughts from someone who doesn't have the greatest father either. Your wedding will be lovely and fun and I'm proud of you for finding a way to go forward! :)
I'm sorry this happened to you, but I'm glad you are working things out, and you're right getting the dream guy will make it all worth it...good luck!! *hugs*
Honey, I am so, so sorry. Are you close to your mom (or step-mom if you have one)? Could you talk to her? Is there any way you could sit down and have a chat with your dad? What about your FI's parents? Are they close to either of you? Cut the guest list if you need to. If your parents aren't willing to pay for the guests they are inviting, then maybe they need not come.
PS the most important aspect about a wedding is the MARRIAGE, and it sounds like you are getting yourself into a pretty great one! It will be OK :)
I am glad you are working a way around it! That was a horrible thing to have to deal with! My wedding is right around the same budget as yours, so I know how it goes! Good luck!
hugs and good wishes. good for you for being so resourceful. and my mom behaves so much like your father so i know how bad you must feel.
but please remember a beautiful wedding is not about fancy decorations flowers or all of the other superficial things. it is about love and that is the thing that to me makes weddings beautiful.
i know this b/c i got married at city hall (i'm on here planning a celebration for friends and family) in a dress from my closet. there was nothing at all fancy about it but it was quite simply the most beautiful day of my life. even the police officer in the room with us was crying and our witness told me it was the most beautiful wedding she had ever been to.
I'm so sorry. I don't have any specific advice, but I wanted to tell you that you are handling it so well. You are marrying the man you love, and it's great that you can have that attitude.
Let us all know if you need help with any specifics. There might even be Bees in your area that could loan you a few things you need.
Good luck.
I'm sorry about your situation but you seem very resourceful and capable. Your wedding is going to be so special; ignore your dad!
littleliz123 - good for you for making this about your marriage to your best friend and trying to forget about 'the wedding'
So sorry you are going thru this. Everyone's suggestions above are great in how to still have a beautiful, affordable wedding. I hope you have a beautiful wedding day and enjoy every second!!! :)
So sorry to hear this :( It hurts to be let down by the people you are depending on to make things happen.
Get your tears out, and let's figure out a way to make your special day still special!
I'm with Monitajb. If there are ways to cut costs or ask friends and other family to help out, do it! These people love you and will help out in any way they can!
I just wanted to say how awesome I think you are! You have done an amazing job of keeping to a strict and modest budget, espeically considering this major setback. And, you were able to problem-solve and still pull this wedding off! Im so glad you are not cancelling it and going for it! You and your future husband's relationship will only be stronger because of this and you two will set a great example for your little girl. Congrats and you go girl!
Man that sucks I am sorry I know that hurt your feelings :( my step dad was emotionally abusive for years so i know how that affects you. I have gotten so mad a couple of times i want to just get eloped let you in laws help pay my parents are divorced and each set has contributed and we have as well. Dont feel bad thats what family is there for :) my heart goes out to you babe good luck
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 23 |
| fishbone | 15 |
| MsPanda | 14 |
| aduarte3201 | 14 |
| pengoala | 11 |
| ShellVee | 10 |
| ladyartichoke | 10 |
| ndreighton | 10 |
| mypinkshoes | 9 |
 sylvia.riggle |
9 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| sylvia.riggle |
4 |
| peachacid | 4 |
| armychica06 | 2 |
| imageeksowhat | 2 |
| Zouave | 2 |
| HollyCJ | 2 |
| BellaDee | 2 |
| zippylef | 1 |
| pharmy | 1 |
| PinkPinstripes | 1 |
