A few more suggestions:
* Don't be afraid to splurge on things that are important to you. Even though I kept our wedding to family and close friends only, I had lots of "foodies" on my guest list. I knew chicken fingers and raw veggies wouldn't cut it, so I spent more than 60% of our final budget on the reception (most people tell you not to go more than 50%). Conventional wisdom says that people don't remember the food at the wedding -- unless it's bad. Also, ask the reception site whether you can get away with excluding alcohol. Many of them -- especially if you use their onsite catering services -- won't let you. If you're going to have a bar, pay for it yourself. Cash bars are a wee bit on the tacky side. Limit the selections to beer and wine only, or to one special cocktail that will be served all night. Or better yet -- get married during the day, and serve mimosas!
* If you haven't already found your dress, go to bridal salons to try on the gowns. Write down the manufacturers and style numbers of gowns you like. Have the clerk do your measurements, and make a mental note of them (or have a friend come along and write them down). Then, go to Pearl's Place <http://www.pearlsplace.com> or Bridal MarketPlace <http://www.bridalmarketplace.com> and order your gown. I went through Bridal Marketplace and managed to shave $250 off the cost of my gown. Try to get a gown that's simple and requires only minimal alterations -- you'll save money there too.
* Buy your shoes at Payless -- no one will even notice them -- unless you have a fly pair of white shoes you wear during special Zeta occasions.
* Believe it or not, Martha Stewart Weddings is an EXCELLENT resource! She has lots of ideas for favors that require time (and some assistance) but will save you a lot of money. Pick out a project, call over your bridesmaids or your groom and enlist their help. We made homemade peach jam in pretty glass jars for our wedding guests. On one side of the card was a verse and a thank-you note from us, on the other was a biscuit recipe. It was labor intensive, but our guests really remembered the gesture.
* Full-service grocery stores can be good places to look for your wedding bouquet -- shop around, ask other brides in your community or search around for a website dedicated to brides in your town -- they usually have the scoop on great vendors. Also consider a grocery store for your wedding cake.
I'm just FULL of ideas, and I miss being a bride, so if you have any other specific questions, don't be afraid to ask.
Quote:
Originally posted by SoTrue1920:
I was in the same boat you were in. The top things I'd suggest to you are:
1) Keep that guest list DOWN and be FIRM about it. I don't care how many times your mom/dad says they need to invite their co-worker's boyfriend's niece to your wedding, keep it SMALL and SIMPLE.
2) Get married in an off-season. Depending on your geographical location, there may be a certain month or months when people get married most often. I was married in January, 2001, after the holiday crunch. We had a beautiful evening winter wedding indoors.
3) Get married on an off day. You'd be amazed at how much you can save by getting married on Friday night or Sunday afternoon. You'll save even more if you can avoid a weekend altogether.
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[This message has been edited by SoTrue1920 (edited April 20, 2001).]