The OurWeddingDay.com Blog

My fiance and myself so far have spent 3500 and have 4000 left to go! It has been rough, but successful.

You both are right at my very own budget and I did the same thing with photography. I can't wait to get the scoop on letterpress and great flowers!!

We had our wedding in Feb and we did not spent 5,000 and we had over sixty guest. The flowers was most expensive. It was a wonderful event and we not a lot of stress at all. We had a church wedding and resception in the church hall that also cut costs..

I am having a wedding of about 160 people on a budget of $6000. It has been stressful at times but things are really starting to come together. I am doing a lot of the things myself, or getting my close friends and family to help. (I am doing my own flowers and one of my closest friends (who is GREAT with a camera) is taking pictures.) Saving money involved getting your hands dirty.

My fiance and I are trying to keep our budget under 20,000. We are planning a wedding with a guest count of 80. The problem is that we are already looking at 15,000 and we still have things that are not purchased! I don't know how to stop the number's from climbing.

Well, my budget is less than $5000... the least of my worries is photography, I have a close friend that is new to the field, but has done some really fantastical work! She's giving me the cd with all rights, so I can print all that I want myself. The flowers will be wholesale, me and my fiance is very creative. The ceremony and reception is held at a local hotel, with is half of my budget, but it includes ALOT! My major stress right now is entertainment... I had a friend who was going to do music, but they are unable to that night, so now, with a budget as low as $300 for 4 hours that night, I'm thinking it's not going to happen... any ideas?

In response to entertainment. Try booking your DJ for less time, just for the dancing part of your reception and play a soft classical CD during dinner.

Me and my fiance are tryin not spend over $65,000 but I want a big beautiful wedding

My fiance and I are trying to stay under $10,000. We have a guest count of 230 people (I know, how right?!) I'm a graphic designer, so I did all of my stationary myself, and had it printed at a local art materials store that I found when I was in school. Our DJ was a lucky win at a silent auction (less than half price & it was tax deductible since the proceeds went to the AHA). My photographer is just starting to expand her business & was a recommendation from a friend of the family, and our florist works with my mother, so she's doing all of our sourcing and giving her labor for free as long as me & my bridesmaids help to arrange the centerpieces the morning of(and with cala lilies - about $9 a stem wholesale - and tulips as my main flowers, I needed to cut costs there)! Our reception hall is all inclusive, so catering, china, linens, bar, and wait staff was all included in their price. I think my biggest splurge was my dress...& that was under $1,500.

Mine & my fiance's wedding budget is $5,000 and I think we'll make it just barely. We are expecting 200 guests. We've done this by having my uncle do the photography. He is trying to get his photography business off the ground, my aunt is a cake designer doing our cake. We are getting our fresh flowers wholesale and arranging them ourselves. Also, a friend of the family is using an itunes playlist he created to DJ the wedding.

There are MANY ways you can cut costs and stay within your budget. Also, consider opening a checking account and putting your whole ammount for your wedding budget in your account and spending from a debit card/check book. This will help keep you on budget as well!

our wedding is not until July, To save cost i dont want to have an open bar, but my fiance wants an open bar. This is bringing our budet way over.
My friend is doing our pictures she started her business 2 years ago and since then she has turn me over to some great deals on silk flowers and invitations.

Hello...I'm new to the "blog"...Became engaged on 07 March...Haven't really talked about planning the wedding yet...We're thinking a year or less...I currently live in San Francisco, Ca...He lives ~30 miles south of SF...I am moving in with him...Which is why we've been too busy to sit down and start the planning...But, we'll start planning in a week or so...I don't EVEN know what the first step should be?...Meet with a wedding coordinator perhaps?...Aarrrgggg...My dream had always been to get get married in my bear feet on the beach (toes in the sand) in Tulum, Mexico...But with the recent "unrest" and dangers of traveling there, I think that is now out...So...My newest idea is the beach in Florida (as its on the way to Italy where I think we will be honeymooning)...Or maybe a beach in California?...Uuggghhhh...-Sharon

Hi, I'm a newspaper reporter working on a story about how to save money on weddings. I was wondering if we could talk? Thanks!

Wow. I didn't come back to check the comments for awhile. I would happy to talk to anyone who posted a comment and wants to talk further about wedding planning... mine or yours. You may find me through my actual blog. I won't give out my email adress here. Feel free to contact me anytime. Any of you!!

As for wanting a big beautiful wedding... I think we all do. And if you cash flow can support $65,000 then awesome! But I have seen AMAZING weddings for $2000. So, don't stress girls.

I am getting married next year but have been engaged for a year and a half. The first thing I knew to do was try on dresses...I found my dream dress but it was WAY over budget ($1500)...so I found out what the designer and style number was and put a search out on eBay for it. Right when I was about to come to the conclusion that I wasn't going to be able to afford it I found the same exact dress, same size, same ivory color and was never worn!! Best of all it was for a third of the price!!!

I was skeptical but after talking with the seller, I knew she was legit. The picture that she had posted was of her in the actual dress as well. You never know what you'll find on eBay at a great price! I was able to have my dream dress for my dream budget!

My fiancee and I are planning and paying for the wedding ourselves, so it's not the most out there wedding around. But we're well on our way towards June 19, 2010 with a $10,200 budget. It'll be close cuz the church we were going to have it at for $400 said no to both dancing and our mormon friend to officiate. So now we're having to rent a hall for the reception, but I actually like it better. My first wedding was a cheapy for $350 with basically cake and punch afterwards, but nothing else. My fiancee and I are having a buffet style catered meal, professional photography, nice cake, DJ, and professional florist. I'm so excited. This blog is a great help for me so I have different viewpoints and ideas to get inspiration from.

My fiance and I are on a budget of about $8,000 so were doing all the planning on our own plus friends and family, we've saved a lot of money because we know a lot of people, I work in the food industry so I'm saving lots of money in food, he has many friends that are in bands so we're getting a free band, my mom's best friend works renting linens and certain decoration so thats free, his friend is a photographer so that's a lot of savings too, etc.. I found a good website to order my flowers and make my own arrangements for the tables, it's fiftyflowers.com they have a wide variety and pretty good prices.

Our big day will be on August 8. Since we are on strict budget my big worry is the photography. I have inquired to a lot of offers and most of them cost from a thousand to three and no way I can afford that. I have a friend who offered to do it for me but of course I am scared that it will not turn out well. Pretty much we are all prepared, I was lucky that all my bridesmaid offered to pay for their dresses my friend offered to help me with the decorations since she is very good at it, we ordered the cake and I was surprised that it didn't cost us that much for 100 people and they will deliver for free. Pretty much we are still within our budget without the photography. Any suggestions on the photography please.

Remember that a wedding is one of the most important days of your life. It can only be captured once. So when it comes to the pictures, this is something you really need to take into consideration. Just having a friend do it are you getting the shots you want, and are you getting the kind of quality you want. If this is something that is within your budget, then I would recommend that you hire someone who will take the shots you want. One way to keep down the cost is to have a specific list of the shots you want taken, and have them post your pictures on their web site and only order the pictures you want and the ones for close family members. Then if anyone else want pictures then they can order them for themself off the web site. This will take a lot of pressure of you and not feel like you have to order everything for everyone. Happy planning and if you need any more help you can contact me.

I am getting married in 2 weeks with a wedding budget under $10,000. The biggest lump sum cost was the caterer, but I was set on having a sit down dinner. My best friend is a professional photographer, so she is doing my wedding for cost, and my aunt is a professional cake baker. I am skipping the videographer-most people never look at their wedding video, but everyone looks at the pictures. I am also having a non-alcoholic reception and am skipping the limousine service. I expect everything to be beautiful!

It's true, there are so many ways that you can cut back and still have your dream wedding. It's all about focusing on what you really want, and not worrying about the other stuff!

Hello Amy OWD:

Reference your post about AMAZING weddings for $2000. I am interested to know how, can I plan and have a church wedding with a nice reception for $2000 or less. I have been planning, and trying to slash as much as possible to keep cost down.

The cost for church and reception hall takes a chunk, considering the fact that it is my home church which is cheaper. For example, honeymoon, limo, caterers, professional photographer, and an elaborate cake is not in my budget. Attire also is not elaborate.

What is considered AMAZING weddings? And how much could it cost?

About AMAZING weddings for $2000. I am interested to know how, can I plan and have a church wedding with a nice reception for $2000 or less. I have been planning, and trying to slash as much as possible to keep cost down.

The cost for church and reception hall takes a chunk, considering the fact that it is my home church which is cheaper. For example, honeymoon, limo, caterers, professional photographer, and an elaborate cake is not in my budget. Attire also is not elaborate.

What is considered AMAZING weddings? And how much could it cost?

You can certainly find tips from different sites. I love BronzeBudgetBride.com, but you can check out different blogs too. Projectwedding.com is good too.

Hope the info helps Kaycee!

I'M ON A BUDGET AS WELL .BUT YOU CAN STILL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEDDING .JUST SHOP AROUND HAVE YOU WEDDING ON A FRIDAY OR SUNDAY THAT CANE SAVE YOU ALMOST 500-1000 IN COST. DO FAMILY STYLE DINNER INSTEAD OF A PLATED DINNER .AND THINK OF YOUR GUEST LIST CLOSE FAMILY AND FRIENDS .

We're getting married May 22 with an $8000 budget. We're doing great so far. I found a caterer that owns her own banquet hall that includes everything from centerpieces and linens to a sit down dinner and cocktail hour and cake cutting fees. We're having 110 guests for $1500. I also found an Alfred Angelo gown I loved and was able to get it for only $600. When I purchased my gown the shop gave me a book of coupons, which I used for our dj, getting me four hours of music and huge light show for $500. I found tons of items like veils, hairpieces and jewelry handmade for cheap on Etsy.com. I'm getting invites for $150 from davidsbridal.com. I'm doing my bouquets in silk (I'm allergic to fresh anyhow), but with five bridesmaids and myself I got the flowers for $250. We're also getting married at a wedding chapel not a church which was $600, but included the pastor, decorations, music, and the lady that owns the place is a great planner with her free services included. She also bakes cakes and we were able to get a huge cake with lighted stands and flowers on each layer for $200. Everything else I've been picking on on the cheap at craft stores like Michaels and Hobby lobby and decorating myself, like favors and cake servers and bubbles, ect. I did feel we splurged on our photographer at $1500, but were able to get a great package with engagement photos, albums and all photos on dvd with release. But with the video being free, from a college student studying film and using our wedding also as a homework project, I felt like we could do it.

we are getting married November 7, 09. just a few short weeks. i too have learned what was important and what was not so important in the big scheme of things. we orginally planned a wedding at church with reception at the country club but with the economy that was impossible. we are still having the church but, the fire hall reception thing. i have been fortunate with friends and my family (his don't like me) to help plan. my boss and his wife are paying for the hall to be decorated for the big day and they are also going to do the catering for just the cost of food. the most expensive thing is the pictures so far in our budget. my whole dress (even had custom made parts of it) was under 700.00. the flowers we bought at Michaels and made our own bouquets and boutineers. as for hair you need to shop around and don't tell people until after they give you a quote that it is for a wedding. i found if you tell them up front they tend to charge twice as much. hair for bridesmaids and myself will range from 25.00 - 50.00 depending on the up-do chosen and length of hair. the cake is also under 500.00 we shopped at a few different bakeries and went back to the small one in our own backyard. it would be cheaper but it went up with the details added. my fiance picked the cake style and all i got to pick was the flavor. the other to cut down on cake cost was to have a smaller wedding cake (feed 60) for viewing and another sheet cake in the kitchen with same icing and flavor but that could be cut up for the rest of the guests and served after dinner. some bakeries won't do this so you have to really shop around and look at pictures of past work also ask for references from past weddings. we also found a small store in our town that will rent an entire tux for 85.00 +- when we went to the bigger known stores they wanted anywhere from $125-139. we found a DJ actually a friend recommended they do a lot of work for the school district and the dances for the kids on the side. we are paying 100.00 an hour for the DJ and will have them for the whole reception. if they are reputable business people they will allow you to observe them in action at an event if there is time before your wedding. we also are making all of the centerpieces ourselves. i had found ones i liked in the LTD catalog and ordered online so I did not have to pay shipping and again went to Michaels to find the items to dress them up and make them mine. it has been a long time coming for our wedding and because money is so tight we did not want to touch our small savings or checking so everything is being paid for from my tips as a waitress. i have worked on saving for the last two years and finally had enough to get everything done. i also take envelopes and mark on the outside what they are for and how much is needed, then i added to them little by little till I had the amount needed then i sealed the envelope so that i would not be tempted to spend it and also that was one payment i could mark off the list as being done. people laugh at me but it helped keep it all straight i would also mark on the envelope if i paid a deposit the amount and the date so i would not overpay. it has worked out great for us. this was a wedding that at one point was going to have to be called off due to lack of fundage but, we managed. i also printed all of my own invitations. i have had so many compliments on them and have even had people ask how much the printer charged for making the invites. i just had to laugh and tell them i did it myself. you can make labels on your computer by buying clear labels at any store and set your print font for what you like. you can even go onto Avery.com and download templates for their labels for free that will work with generic labels. believe me when i say our budget was below a shoestring and we managed to still have everything i had ever wanted by only giving up a small thing here or their. shop around for the lowest prices. party stores, department stores, dollar stores, craft stores etc always have clearance and lower price items then what vendors are going to give you. wedding planners don't like when you hand them items and say we are using this instead of what your vendor wanted to sell us but, hey its your wedding and if it will save you money in the long run who cares. the wedding planner is getting paid whether they use their vendor or if you give them the items. any wedding is possible no matter what the budget is set at and it can be just as elegant on a 2000.00 budget or a 20,000.00 budget. just remember sometimes less is more. you want guests to walk away and talk about you and your dress and not about all the decorations and table settings, you want them to remember you walking down the aisle and dancing your first dance together.
sorry to ramble but i am very passionate about my wedding and helping others on a strict budget to find ways around the big ticket prices. i

I am newly engaged and we are taking 2 yrs to plan our wedding as I want perfection and nothing less. The problem is I want perfection and I'm on a budget. Where do I start? Should I call the wedding planner first?? Is it too early to start planning??? I am having a really hard time finding a great venue at a price below $3000. I'm freaking out already and we have only just begun. I loved the post from BillieN and if you are out there please get in touch with me I love your ideas.