Planning a Budget-Friendly October Wedding: Tips and Tricks for a Dream Ceremony

[pcsharon1]

Oh, and check vista print for invites - you never know what kind of specials they may have going on.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

<snip for brevity> We did not get a limo: We owned a white 4 door car and my maid of honor had a white mini van that we used as our wedding cars. <snip>

Oh, the memories! I used my Model A's in both my weddings, along with a few others. The first time, I rode in Sonja's rumble seat with What's-Her-Name. That wasn't an option for The Kat Lady and we rode in the back seat of a 1930 Fordor. Sonja was in that wedding too, she carried the ring bearer and flower girl (The Kat Lady's twin niece/nephew) in the rumble seat.

I'm going to have to dig up some pics. Here's Sonja at Union Station in Kansas City.

 

[wadesgirl]

First, Congratulations!!!

Second, I have to say I LOVE this thread. I love seeing people say - Oh, my entire wedding cost less than $5000, $3000, etc. It lets me know I'm not crazy! I've been married for 16 years and got married straight out of high school. I didn't care much at all how the actual wedding looked, we just wanted to get married. A friend did my pictures as a gift - they aren't professional but I don't really mind. How often do I look at them? The same friends mom and grandma made my dress as the gift and made the cake as a gift from my friend. We just paid for the fabric and stuff for the dress. We didn't do huge flowers, we did an open church wedding so there were no invitations and we met at our church while we were in High School so we weren't charged for the building and the pastor refused to take our money. I worked at a state park in the area and so did my mom - we also got married in October so it was off season - the park let us use the restaurant for the reception for no charge. And the ladies from the church did the food for the reception. It wasn't a sit down dinner and there was no band or anything because we actually didn't have dancing. I loved my wedding but it was well under $2000.

My sister in law is getting married in July. She called my in laws and asked them what her wedding budget was (which I personally thought she shouldn't expect them to pay for her wedding because she's 28 and has been on her own for years!) and when they told her $5000 she told them they needed to rething that because it wasn't going to be anywhere near enough! She picked a $1200 photographer and basically is letting him plan most of the wedding. After that I seperated myself from the wedding planning because I thought she was going way overboard and I have no idea what is going on now. In fact, with my husband in Iraq, I rarely hear from any of them so I have no idea what goes on with anything. My SIL was in the hospital last week and I found out from my mom today because she heard at church. I know nothing - I think I'm better off that way!

Just remember - what it sounds like you've already figured out - simple is beautiful!!!!

Very very true - all of it!

My husband and I paid for most of our wedding ourselves. We did alot of cost cutting measures! A friend of mine gave me great advice: pick what is important to you, whether it be the actual ceremoney or the party and put your money more into that! For us, it was the reception.

We did not get a limo: We owned a white 4 door car and my maid of honor had a white mini van that we used as our wedding cars. Saved a ton of money!

We did not buy flowers for the church, we used what the church had provided in their alter. No aisle runner either. Also, we did not use centerpieces for our reception...our hall had oil lamps on each table and we decided to just use those.

Borrow, borrow borrow! My best friend had gotten married a few months before I did and I borrowed her veil.

No wedding video, we did have a photographer, didn't know anyone to take good pics that we trusted, and we discovered that a videographer was JUST AS MUCH as a photographer, so that was an area we had to cut.

The place we went for our flowers also gave discounts for their cake services and invites so we just went with them for everything. You can go to Office Max and get your own to print off if you want and it should cut costs on that.

Pick up bridal magazines and they should give great ideas for "personal" touches. One thing that we did after I read it in a magazine is we got our parents wedding picture and bought nice frames from Michaels and displayed those by our wedding cake. If both of your parents are together, that would be a nice touch. It was a nice tribute to both of our parents.

Most of all, have fun and CONGRATS! :sing:

Very much agree!

We borrowed my in-laws town car for our car and DH's brother-in-law drove us since he was the only wedding party member who was by himself at the wedding. Everybody else drove themselves.

 

[cookingwithmel]

Congrats on your engagement!! We did our own expenses too! I also helped my cousin plan her wedding two years ago this coming October... what a beautiful time of year that's for sure!! I made her invitations, which I suggest doing to anyone! I LOVE making invitations for any and all occassions, esp. weddings!! One GREAT way to do these for a fall wedding is find a nice foilage picture print it on cardstock. I did 2 invites per 8x10 page, I did it as a watermark and then on top of that I placed a piece of vellum paper with our wording on it. I would be more than willing to mail you a sample of something.... If you were at all interested I would be more than willing to do your invites!! LOL... also center pieces are very simple this time of year as well. Friends of our used a type of branch in the green floral foam with a mixture of moss, mums and a white flower hanging on them, if you would like to send me a private msg I can send you pictures of anything I'm telling you about I know it's hard to visualize. It's very simple to save money and have a VERY elegant wedding/reception. Good luck with all of this!! Oh, if you have a Michaels or AC Moore (any craft store) there is SOOO much you can do! For my cousins gifts we did small bottles of maple syrup and small jar candles with a picture on one side and their wedding information on the opposite. Hope you were able to get some ideas, and to any and all... YES I GREATLY enjoy planning weddings, it's a thing that I find relaxes me, odd right!? Again, good luck to you and your future!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Oh, the memories! I used my Model A's in both my weddings, along with a few others. The first time, I rode in Sonja's rumble seat with What's-Her-Name. That wasn't an option for The Kat Lady and we rode in the back seat of a 1930 Fordor. Sonja was in that wedding too, she carried the ring bearer and flower girl (The Kat Lady's twin niece/nephew) in the rumble seat.

I'm going to have to dig up some pics. Here's Sonja at Union Station in Kansas City.

YEA!

We used my Hubby's 1970 440 Six Pack Challenger (Plum Crazy Purple!) as our car for driving away.

Before the wedding, my MOH and I went to get our hair and makeup done, and THEN went to Meijers to get more film for our cameras.(this was before digital cameras, people.) We looked amazing - in our ratty button down shirts and old jeans, with full makeup and wedding hair! Then, we drove ourselves to the church in her car.

Then, at the church, DH and I walked in at about the same time, and people were already gathering in the Atrium, so we were out there greeting people and hugging people, etc...until my cousin and his brother both came out and yelled at us to get to our changing rooms and get dressed!

I love that our wedding wasn't about the big ceremonial perfection that make some brides become bridezilla. What I remember - from our rehearsal through our reception - was all of the laughter and fun. We had so much fun!

 

[chefheidi2003]

My husband and I paid for most of our wedding ourselves. We did alot of cost cutting measures! A friend of mine gave me great advice: pick what is important to you, whether it be the actual ceremoney or the party and put your money more into that! For us, it was the reception. We did not get a limo: We owned a white 4 door car and my maid of honor had a white mini van that we used as our wedding cars. Saved a ton of money!

We did not buy flowers for the church, we used what the church had provided in their alter. No aisle runner either. Also, we did not use centerpieces for our reception...our hall had oil lamps on each table and we decided to just use those.

Borrow, borrow borrow! My best friend had gotten married a few months before I did and I borrowed her veil.

No wedding video, we did have a photographer, didn't know anyone to take good pics that we trusted, and we discovered that a videographer was JUST AS MUCH as a photographer, so that was an area we had to cut.

The place we went for our flowers also gave discounts for their cake services and invites so we just went with them for everything. You can go to Office Max and get your own to print off if you want and it should cut costs on that.

Pick up bridal magazines and they should give great ideas for "personal" touches. One thing that we did after I read it in a magazine is we got our parents wedding picture and bought nice frames from Michaels and displayed those by our wedding cake. If both of your parents are together, that would be a nice touch. It was a nice tribute to both of our parents.

Most of all, have fun and CONGRATS! :sing:

Funny..not sure that I realized that that was what I was doing..but I have been thinking of things to take away from the ceremony..in order to add to the reception. I said something to my mom about doing a mum sale at church which would be used to decorate the front of the church..then people could take them home the next day after church..but my mom said that as long as I don't want more than 15-20 she would buy them then plant them at her house. I told her that I was thinking that 10 would be enough. I think that if I decide that I want more there are a few people that I know like Mums..maybe I could talk to them about buying them..then they can have them to plant at thier home after the wedding.

My cousin told me that I could have her dress..I laughed at her..it would take probably 3 of her dresses to fit around me.

My BFF told me that I could have her dress..but I think that that is something that I want my own. But I am going inexpensive on that. David's Bridal is having thier $99 sale.

I think we might get a video camera from someone in my family and set it up at the front of the church. That way we have some type of video..but I am not spending a lot for that either.

 

[chefheidi2003]

First, Congratulations!!!

Second, I have to say I LOVE this thread. I love seeing people say - Oh, my entire wedding cost less than $5000, $3000, etc. It lets me know I'm not crazy! I've been married for 16 years and got married straight out of high school. I didn't care much at all how the actual wedding looked, we just wanted to get married. A friend did my pictures as a gift - they aren't professional but I don't really mind. How often do I look at them? The same friends mom and grandma made my dress as the gift and made the cake as a gift from my friend. We just paid for the fabric and stuff for the dress. We didn't do huge flowers, we did an open church wedding so there were no invitations and we met at our church while we were in High School so we weren't charged for the building and the pastor refused to take our money. I worked at a state park in the area and so did my mom - we also got married in October so it was off season - the park let us use the restaurant for the reception for no charge. And the ladies from the church did the food for the reception. It wasn't a sit down dinner and there was no band or anything because we actually didn't have dancing. I loved my wedding but it was well under $2000.

My sister in law is getting married in July. She called my in laws and asked them what her wedding budget was (which I personally thought she shouldn't expect them to pay for her wedding because she's 28 and has been on her own for years!) and when they told her $5000 she told them they needed to rething that because it wasn't going to be anywhere near enough! She picked a $1200 photographer and basically is letting him plan most of the wedding. After that I seperated myself from the wedding planning because I thought she was going way overboard and I have no idea what is going on now. In fact, with my husband in Iraq, I rarely hear from any of them so I have no idea what goes on with anything. My SIL was in the hospital last week and I found out from my mom today because she heard at church. I know nothing - I think I'm better off that way!

Just remember - what it sounds like you've already figured out - simple is beautiful!!!!

I will be 31 in a week..and I still live with my mom..it is cheap rent and it helps her out as well. I think that she will be helping me to pay for some things..but I am not expecting it..I am planning on paying for everything myself..and if she helps with anything then great.

 

[wadesgirl]

We used two ferns my MIL bought for $10 each and put some fake white roses in them at the front of the alter. MIL took them home with her afterwards. Worked out perfect!

 

[chefheidi2003]

My church does alter flowers..I think I am going to just leave them there..unless there are any white flowers in them..then I will just set them behind the wall in the front and put them back up after it is over. The only white flower that I want anywhere is the white rose in my bouquet

 

[chefheidi2003]

Is there any way for us to do the food and not be stressed out the morning of the wedding? Or should I just splurge for a caterer?

 

[chefsteph07]

Is there any way for us to do the food and not be stressed out the morning of the wedding? Or should I just splurge for a caterer?

If it were me, I'd splurge for a caterer, esp since you are doing your own cake, but if you want family to do the food, take yourself out of it and let them handle it, there are SO MANY minute details that you will be stressing over the food on the day of the wedding is NOT something you need to have looming!

 

[chefheidi2003]

If it were me, I'd splurge for a caterer, esp since you are doing your own cake, but if you want family to do the food, take yourself out of it and let them handle it, there are SO MANY minute details that you will be stressing over the food on the day of the wedding is NOT something you need to have looming!

That was kind of my thought..I just thought that I would throw it out there..thank you.

 

[wadesgirl]

If it were me, I'd splurge for a caterer, esp since you are doing your own cake, but if you want family to do the food, take yourself out of it and let them handle it, there are SO MANY minute details that you will be stressing over the food on the day of the wedding is NOT something you need to have looming!

Yes and yes!! Either way, don't put too much on yourself for that day!

 

[julmarsala]

How FANTASTIC! Congratulations to you!!!

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Congratulations! We eloped to Vegas for our wedding and then had a reception a year and 1/2 later (found out I was preggos within a month of getting married so that's why did it so much later!)

But we did the whole thing (trip to Vegas and the reception later) for under $1500.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

That's fabulous! Congrats and Much Blessings sent your way!

 

[chefheidi2003]

Congratulations! We eloped to Vegas for our wedding and then had a reception a year and 1/2 later (found out I was preggos within a month of getting married so that's why did it so much later!)

But we did the whole thing (trip to Vegas and the reception later) for under $1500.

In my family marriages that start in Vegas didn't end well..LOL

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I think your family proves (anecdotally, of course) it's true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

In my family marriages that start in Vegas didn't end well..LOL

That's funny! We're doing pretty good and both had big church weddings the first time... Guess it just goes to show you it's WHO you marry that counts. Not the wedding or the party after.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

It's WHO you marry? Well, darn, why didn't somebody tell me that 30 years ago?

(I wouldn't have listened, anyway.)

 

[lesliec]

We eloped 5 yrs ago. Our pastor married us at the local lake. We picked up a disposable camera on the way there and his wife took some amazing pictures, considering.
My bff just got married in Sept. The family did all of the food, she had the flowers done at the local grocery store. Everyone jumped in and did a ton of work and kept it pretty stress free for her, but it was a lot of work and it was simple but beautiful.
She didn't have attendants, her husband was really against it. She was upset b/c she wanted me up there, but in the end I think it worked out better. It freed me up to be able to run and help get the last min stuff done for the wedding as opposed to standing up with her at the wedding. She is 29 and her hubby is 35, so they weren't going for fancy or impressing anyone, but it was beautiful and simple.

 

[chefheidi2003]

I think before I look too hard at caterers I might talk to some of the ladies at my church. They are used to feeding a lot of people..some would call this the same..but they are in charge of the funeral luncheons at our church..so maybe I could buy the food and then pay them to do it..I would still save money on a caterer. I am not looking for a fancy meal. I can get bags of salad cheap at Costco..so we can have salad then probably just chicken some kind of potatoes and some kind of veggie. Like I said before the appetizers will already be on the tables in the form of the centerpeices so I don't need to worry about that. hhmm..now I am thinking..I am going to look into this.

 

[pampered1224]

Heidi that is wonderful! Here is hoping for a smooth planning period as well as a wonderful life together. I helped with my best friends wedding in that not only was I his best man, but my gift to them was also the making of the food. The parents paid for part of the food as did I and then my mom and I put it all together about a week before the wedding and froze some. We made Italian beef. Then we did coleslaw, potato salad, got rolls and tossed salad the day before. We went simple as asked by the bride and groom and the parents. They got one of the buildings at a local park for free to hold the reception in. It was very nice. Big enough to accommodate the food tables and a dance floor and we found a DJ. Check the area for anything you might be able to get for free or at a very nominal fee. Like maybe even a club house where some lives as the fee is usually refundable if the place is cleaned up when you leave or even one of the local parks. Hey, you never know.

 

[lesliec]

I think before I look too hard at caterers I might talk to some of the ladies at my church. They are used to feeding a lot of people..some would call this the same..but they are in charge of the funeral luncheons at our church..so maybe I could buy the food and then pay them to do it..I would still save money on a caterer. I am not looking for a fancy meal. I can get bags of salad cheap at Costco..so we can have salad then probably just chicken some kind of potatoes and some kind of veggie. Like I said before the appetizers will already be on the tables in the form of the centerpeices so I don't need to worry about that. hhmm..now I am thinking..I am going to look into this.

You can do trays of sandwiches at Wal-Mart or Costco or Sams and have others help with the set up and serving. That is what my friend did. I guess I mis-spoke when I said that the family did the food. The family served the food and it turned out well.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

It's WHO you marry? Well, darn, why didn't somebody tell me that 30 years ago?

(I wouldn't have listened, anyway.)

That's funny. You notice my post says that we both were married before too, so I doubt we would have listened either... sigh.

 

[minirottie]

I wanted to say congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you much joy and happiness!

 

[chefheidi2003]

My fiance's parents offered to let us use their house for the reception..I said where would we have it..they said outside and you just need to get tents..I said..I can get my church for the reception for $100..they said..oh..well then do that..because everything you would need to rent would cost more than that.

I have a cousin who we are going to ask to roast a pig for us.

My brother and sister each know someone who DJs..so they are taking care of that..and there is a good chance that they will be paying for the DJ for us..since there is really not much that we need.

 

[chefheidi2003]

My cousin just called..the one who was going to do my flowers for me..and her and her sister offered to buy the flowers for us as our wedding gift..I am so excited..she did a beautiful job on her own wedding flowers. And she knows how much she spent..and ours will be much less because we aren't having flower centerpieces.

God is providing.

 

[heather223]

Congratulations! We did our wedding for under $5,000 and that included booking our honeymoon. (Went over $5,000 with what we actually spent while on the honeymoon.)

I got a lot on ebay too- champage glasses, guest book, cake server, etc.

We rented the large room of our local community center for under $300 and then catered the food for about $1500 and it was an entire meal. $300 for a cake made by someone local who does it out of her home.

To serve the food we used plastic (nice) plates and plastic cups. Cost saving. No one even remembers this but me. You could check out the price to rent glass china and fabric napkins but I am pretty sure it is more expensive. We got all of it at Pat Catans/ Flower Factory.

Tableclothes were included in the cost of the room- they were white. For center pieces we used cheap glass vases with floating candles and glass marbles in them. Got them at a Pat Catan's store for under $50.

Dress came from David's bridal. Dress wasn't expensive but the alterations were almost as much as my dress. See if you could find someone local to do this for you- may be cheaper. My alterations were done by Davids.

Invitations- We used a fold style invitation where the response card was a postcard back to us. It folded and we sealed it- no stuffing multiple envelopes and using lots of postage. 1 Regular stamp and 1 post card stamp. Cost was under $200. We invited 200 people.

If I think of anything else I will post it. PM me if you have questions- it can be done!

 

[heather223]

Oh and I agree- splurge for a caterer, while people won't remember what you serve the food on they will remember how the food tasted.