Weddingbee boards

I am on a MAJOR buget, and I have quite the guest list.  Here are a few of the choices we have made in order to cut costs.

Wedding on a Sunday, savings us $2 000.00 on the hall over a saturday

Early wedding - serving brunch, cutting down on the bar bill

Eliminating the photgrapher, FH works for Best buy we are buying SD cards at a super discounted rate and having people take some photos with their cameras then loading them into our computer and giving them the card.

DJ is a friend who owns his own DJ company usually charges 2500 we are paying 700.00

Apple theme making carmel apples using them as center pieces with some paper ribon in pretty bags.  Eliminating the cake, but will do desert-ish breakfast items.

Bought my dress which was a sample on clearence for $150.00.  Mom does bridal alterations for a living, so she will do mine.

Tux Rental is $24.00 becuase we are doing the whole wedding party there

Ceremony and reception are in the same location, we only need to provide (rent) linens.

Our Pastor is a friend of FH from highschool who recently found religion and became a youth ministor. (donation of our comfort only)

Are there any other ways I can cut costs?  Did I miss anything?  Any thoughts would be great!

My mom (bless her heart) while they can't afford to help us financially is the most creative person I have ever met.  My garter is coming from the fabric that is being removed from my dress (four inches on each side... lost 60 lbs sense we first bougth it)

We have discussed making only my bouquet and a flower for him, we are doing silk flowers, which we will find on sale at michaels if we do them.  I hadn't even considered flowers. 

My family, we are party animals.  They dance no matter what time of day it is... lets hear it for being latin and italian!  lol

@MissTatas:

Great thoughts!! I agree on the email/ web site save the dates and RSVPs  we are printing all of our own invites, which I will probably get from target or walmart.

our hall is $1500.00 so between that and the food thats where the bulk of the money is being spent.  I thought about doing a cash bar, and doing vodka drinks, mimmosas (spelling??) and bloody marys and if any one wanted anything else at 11 am on a sunday that was there doing... lol

Our hall includes a bar and bartender, set up, clean up, chairs, tables, a dance floor, changing rooms, and use of the facility till from 6am to 6am the next morning.

@AnneTossy:

Thank you for the Tip.  There should be a book compiled of money saving tips such as these. 

@arclee:

Like commit to purchase so many bottles then make it a cash bar from there.  That sounds like a great idea.

@JennyW1:  Origionally this was the plan, our hall has a beverage lic. and we cannot carry in.  We have to buy from them.  our options are limited.  Beer and soda, beer soda and wine, or all of the above and full bar. So its beer and soda or cash, unless we do a specialty.  Its weird.

@Naiexoxo:  For the photos I thought we would hand them to people who are photo happy.  My MOH, My sisters, my dad who always has a camera in front if his face sense my son and nephew were born.  My brother and by FHs best friend.  That way they are people that are in  driving distance that I can hunt down if I need to.

@creativeplannertobee:  Yeah its been a stressful week.  Our engagement is short, I never wanted to stretch it over a few years but I can now see why some do. 

His parents have offered thier help, but thats as far as the conversation has gone.  We have come to the realization that if we want to have this wedding in may we cannot do it with out their help.  They wanted us to push it back to later in the year to do the engagement party, bridal shower, ect but those things weren't important to us. 

His parents said from the beginning that we invite everyone or we don't invite any one.  There is some family issue and they are the only neutral party.  So they invite them all. 

FH has waited to talk to his parents about what they will contribute, when and how much.  I think he doesn't know how, even though theyve already commited to helping.

@vintage2010:

I didn't even consider programs.  I think for the most part we will have the bridal party introduced right before brunch.  I dont think we will do programs.

I think to keep things flowing we will start the dances shortly into eating so they are out of the way.  We are going to do a brunch and keep it fresh for an hour or so while people eat.  If we do run into the evening we have considered ordering a ton of pizzas and having them delivered.