can any one give me some tips on a cheap wedding?(catering, music, etc…)?
my soon to be wife and I decited to get married next month…
No reason other than the love we have for each other.
I’m just concerned that our reception well be dull…
I really want everybody to have a good time.
any help would be greatly apprecated!
O.k… here’s why I asked this question..
When my girl and I decited to get married we went threw all the things we could do eloping
was out of the question because we both are very family oriented, then we thought o.k small wedding, by small i mean court house wedding and a dinner and a few close friends..
Well as soon as we told our family and friends the news and what the plans were (mostly because of our budget) they got all gun hoe on us and told us that they wanted to help in any way, wich they have, but heres the thing neither of familys are rolling in dough, so the budget is still tight…
We have some ideas but like i said any more couldn’t hurt…
hope this clears up some of the questions you guys might have..
thanks..
by the way I’m from so cal ( orange county area) so any ideas around here would be very helpful..
18 Responses
momblessedx531 Mar 2010
BoyDude31 Mar 2010
Before I answer your question, WHY. Okay with the question. There’s nothing wrong with a courthouse wedding and then have some friends over after to celebrate all those good times your going to have together(pun intended).
B from LA31 Mar 2010
How about eloping and having a very nice honeymoon?
.
Rajkumar31 Mar 2010
go to temple and married that girl
Spazz31 Mar 2010
If you know anyone in your family or circle of friends that can cook, play music, DJ, take photos, or tend bar; then you should ask them to help you out.
This is what friends and family are for, right?
You can also try to have the wedding at a friend or relatives home and the reception too.
Hope this helps and congrats.
Peta G31 Mar 2010
Sometimes a lot of the little things that make a reception special aren’t the things that cost money but rather the little personal touches that just take a bit of thought!
Look up ideas for little decorations for the tables, gifts for the guest (they don’t need to be costly… just little home-made keepsakes).
Make sure your music is general happy party music (not too old or too modern)…include some 80′s greats!(they always get a party rockin’). Maybe hire a jukebox so that your guests an pick songs they like!
It’s all about atmosphere so just try to make your wedding have it’s own flavour!
Bye some cheap wine and make fun ‘wedding’ labels for them to put on the table (so people won’t know you skimped on the wine).
All in all, I think just do what you can afford, and pay attention to little things that give your day a ‘fun’ feel.
Ultimately, if they are your friends they should just be happy to be able to witness your marriage, and help you celebrate your special day.
Best of luck and happiness to you both.
thelanboy31 Mar 2010
Elope.
tarus1031 Mar 2010
Some place in your area may offer all of what your wanting, catering, music, ect. Look on the net for your area or look in the yellow pages under wedding receptions. Being as it’s next month you may not be able to get a good DJ or A good band. And unless you go to a place like a bar-b-que restaurant that will cater for you, you may not find a caterer either. Not to say Bar-B-Que isn’t good, but I don’t think that’s what your looking for. Also try asking a florist or a bakery about a place that does it all, they probably do some of the cakes and floral arrangements for them!
usmccpl065631 Mar 2010
bring your own beer. bring your own food. bring your own grill. bring your one koolaid. bring your own paper plates.
redrosefading31 Mar 2010
I once attended a wedding reception at a fire hall, where the immediate family members decorated, prepared the foods and a DJ played music to dance to. Very reasonable and a good time was had by all.
Michelle M31 Mar 2010
Well when I got married my mom and dad couldn’t spend a fortune. We had over 300 at the wedding and kept the cost down to $1200 but that’s been 12 years ago. We had a family member take the pictures, friends and family for wedding music, the attendants paid for their own dresses and tuxes (we gave them each a $20 gift or so), married in our own church so didn’t have to rent a place ( you could do it in someone’s yard) had cake and punch (which a friend did for free plus ingredient expenses) made our own flower arrangements (silks can be economical if purchase on sale) netting for decorating is inexpensive but pretty (purchase at 40% off at craft/sewing store) Fabric and ribbon can be discounted price if you choose one that is a season clearance (Valentines day items would be dirt cheap now) We made our own invitations ( easy on a computer and can look professional as well. You want food? Enlist the help of family and friends for a sort of pot-luck you could even request a certain theme such as pasta, mexican etc. Don’t worry you can do it and DO IT CHEAP!
Sweetserenity31 Mar 2010
Take a day off work, spend it on the phone and in the car visiting banquet facilities in your area. You will be amazed at whats available. Call a couple local churches and ask the secretaries who answer the phones what venues they know are good….sometimes there is a local kiwanis or moose or Columbans center that has food to die for and prices to match. If you go that route, you may need to take care of set up and tear down…so consider hiring some teenagers or asking them what their fees are. I was shocked to learn that our local club only charged $100 to set up and tear down but that most people dont ask for this service. Since you have folks offering to help, make a list and let them grab for whatever they will—-mine would include things like: cake knife, cake, decorations, rental car or limo, rental car driver (which is free but nice to have and saves a BUNDLE on a limo opt), flowers for church, centerpieces, invitations and bridal accessories (her garter, flowers, rosary, purse (for envelopes). Then sit down and decide if you need to postpone—just a little, not only to enjoy the excitement of preparation but to have a great wedding. Don’t cheat yourselves..its a wonderful time in your life and making it personal and inexpensive can be great fun. But you need to allow a little time for friends to tap into their resources and for you to find the deals. There may be cancellations that will allow for a quick access to an otherwise unavailable venue. Remember too, that you are the entertainment. With this much excitement already everyone is just looking forward to seeing you and the glowing bride. Music helps set the mood and we have found most of the banquet h alls in this area provide their own DJ for about half the cost of bringing in your own. The other advantage of their DJ is that he can force the music onto the dance floor so that people can still talk in the rest of th e hall. Get a list of the invites and addresses put together ASAP. A wedding with 50-70 people might be able to fit into a local restaurant. some churches offer their halls onsite. Is there a fireman in the family? some have banquet halls. Get those excited family members of yours together for pizza and ask them instead of us…..they can provide the most direct resources. Your guests only have as much fun as you are having. Keep in mind they want to see you happy and eat a good meal…the rest of the details don’t much matter to them. Dont buy into all the internet crap about monograms, personalization and buying a lot of trinkets to spread all over the tables…no one cares….spend that money on the food and a hall. Weddings are fun when they reflect the personality and whimsy of the couple… recently attended a fast-plan wedding that was held at a campground (the lodge at the lake was beautiful). I would never have thought of it. But as it turned out, we all rented cabins. The reception was in the main lodge. The kids were all invited and they ended the night with a great big bon fire. She wore a beautiful gown and was married out on the lake (small island). The pics were gorgeous. I’m not sure this location would have worked for another couple…but these two were perfect for it. Have fun….and God bless.
sweetxgrace31 Mar 2010
We are on a very tight budget, but we’ve had almost a year to plan…Here’s some things we did to cust costs. I hope this helps:
1. I did invites myself.
2. We have friends doing food. We’re just doing simple sandwiches, salads, and veggies. This really helped keep food costs down.
3. We rented a nice hall for only $150, and it has a decent kitchen.
4. Instead of wedding cake, we’re doing cupcakes. Compare $1.75 a serving to $0.66.
5. We’re only doing beer and a signiture drink.
Some other ideas…
Keep your guest list small.
Don’t serve alcohol
Have a small wedding cake and then serve sheet cakes.
msbrittnay31 Mar 2010
Look for used things for your wedding on Craigslist.org. You can find many things on there that brides only used once for their weddeing and they have no use for them. Do your own flowers, catering, and decoarting.
endorable31 Mar 2010
I think you’re going to have a great wedding and a successful marriage… because you have your priorities right and a supportive family 
A wedding isn’t about showing off.. or shouldn’t be.. it’s about making a lifetime commitment and sharing that with the people who love you.
The BEST weddings I’ve been to have been like yours.. put together by loving friends and family. Just don’t do a REAL potluck… have someone organize it so you don’t get 10 pots of chili and 8 veggie trays. When everyone pitches in and contributes, they all have a stake in the success of the event.. I’m sure they’ll have a great time!
Don’t fret about having a bar… wine on the tables and punch (alcoholic and non) will do for liquor.. and that saves a bundle!
There are lots of tips out there for inexpensive weddings.. just put your money where it is most important to you, and where it will make the most difference. No one needs favours at a wedding.. seasonal flowers are as lovely as any… wedding dresses can be rented…
Good luck to you
Abby31 Mar 2010
Personally, the best wedding is only with your super close love ones (small celebration) and an excellent honeymoon trip. What do you care about the party or others having fun? The most important element is that you have selected the right person for you so that you do not end up in divorce.
Celebrate according to your monetary possibilities and do not get into debt in order to have a Big Celebration. Remember that there are two powers in a marriage: Money and Sex. Start my managing both well and you are on your way to a good start.
MariChelita31 Mar 2010
I know renting a reception hall is expensive in socal. So why not have it in someone’s back yard. or if you are renting a hall, keep it simple. Instead of a live band, have a DJ. Instead of real flowers for centerpieces have something more cost effective.
I know in my family, when we pitch in to help each other with weddings most of the time we dont give money directly(sometimes we do) but usually we’ll buy the drinks, or decorate the hall and the church or make the wedding favors, make some part of the food, things like that.
bevrossg31 Mar 2010
Reserve a shelter in a nice park that has some grills. You buy the meat, get a relative to volunteer to BBQ and either put together ther beans and salads or ask each family to bring something for the dinner. Get married right there in the park so you only need a lovely, casual dress and love every minute of being with your friends and family!
If there is dancing then your reception will be fun. Get all of these gung hoe people that want to help to make food. Finger rolls, chips, veggie trays, meatballs, the little hot dog thingies and punch. Have someone take your pictures for you cuz it is way cheaper then a dj. You could do a byob wedding as far as alcohol. I have seen it done alot. Go to Walmart….their wedding cakes are cheap and delicious. They don’t taste like cardboard like a lot of cakes I have eaten at weddings. As far as music goes all you need is a decent cd player and someone you know has got to have one. Burn cds in the order you want them played that way you just have to pop it in and let it play. I want to tell you that I love what you said…"No reason other then the love we have for each other" It isnt about having a show….you are going to have a long and happy marriage. I want to tell you also..I have been to many many potluck weddings where people closest to the bride and groom brought a dish.