Wedding Finances
- Thread starter awhyley
- Start date
erplexed TIA.
MrsMe
Well-Known Member
Good question! I need a template because we've started giving deposits and I need to keep track of our spending. I'm gonna look for it today and if I find anything I'll come back.
As for cutting costs, we are doing a few things like renting a church hall for 10x less than a regular wedding venue but just as grand; using a friend and family member as DJs since they are pros; not buying bouquets for the bridesmaids (I'm thinking of using parasols or fans); not having a split menu unless the caterer includes it in our package, etc... There are so many ways to cut on wedding expenses but the top one is limiting your guest list to a financially manageable amount which can be so difficult...
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As for cutting costs, we are doing a few things like renting a church hall for 10x less than a regular wedding venue but just as grand; using a friend and family member as DJs since they are pros; not buying bouquets for the bridesmaids (I'm thinking of using parasols or fans); not having a split menu unless the caterer includes it in our package, etc... There are so many ways to cut on wedding expenses but the top one is limiting your guest list to a financially manageable amount which can be so difficult...
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LovelyPiratess
Well-Known Member
Google Docs have a special section for wedding planning :http://www.google.com/weddings/
blksndrlla
Well-Known Member
The Knot also has one.
Sade
Well-Known Member
Google docs wedding thing is the best thing invented. I used it to collect addresses and had someone write a code for my wedding website for it. We gave everyone a unique RSVP code for the website when they RSVP online it automatically fills out the google doc. It was so easy! I just sent that spreadsheet to my planner and caterer. Easy! Try it out!
Lucia
Well-Known Member
If you have a Mac there's an event planner template in it that can be used for anything. It has budget adds all numbers up, guest list (auto counts # of guests) to do check list, and you can add pics fo examples of stuff off the net, text boxes for notes. It's everything in one.
Natural Glow
Well-Known Member
Wedding Wire has a lot of good features. They have a budget, to do check list, you can make a wedding website, etc. http://www.weddingwire.com/
mg1979
Well-Known Member
We are saving money by having a gourmet specialty grocery store do the cake, flowers, and catering. I would not have though about this store, but I asked for recommendations for cakes and flowers on Facebook & a friend answered recommending them because they did such a great job on her wedding and so much cheaper than everywhere else. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find something like this.
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luckiestdestiny
Well-Known Member
suggestions and tips for cutting costs and my story:
Destination wedding (instant cost cutter). And since I'm a shrewd negotiator I played up the fact that I'm a graduate student (how do they know I work also and my fiance's a doctor? NOT telling them that). When
you go to, or talk to (or email) a place of your choice (I was just talking to someone about this) don't mention a job with potential for high pay when they ask what you do. That's a no no as they eat that up. Don't mention your parents have been saving all their lives for your platinum wedding (mine weren't but hey if you have it like that), or anything like that. Talk about the economy
Also I got them to wave rental fees (most places will charge a fee just to rent the space. Well that fee is negotiable). I waved $1200 right then. And with my poor student (assumed) because it's a tourist destination and I reminded them I'm bringing in money to them through guests, I negotiated from $145 a person down to $35 dollars a person for the same menu, and I have the proposals to prove it. And this is a five star resort that Presidents of countries (from Argentina, and other latin countries etc) have gone to and stayed (so it's not a crappy place). They really didnt care that it's all inclusive, they have high rates and excellent service and said the menu is a special menu so they have a right to charge that much for the wedding dinner, but I still whittled it down. I wanted to laugh hysterically.
I know I'm staying there though I haven't signed yet (but will this weekend). It is an amazing resort with rave reviews, but if I can knock off more I will
. I'm one of those silly people who laughs in the middle of the store if I get a ton off. I was in nordstroms with a coupon I received from groupons (buy $100 for $50) and you could use multiples, right when nordstrom was already having a 75 percent off sale so I cleaned up. And the lady thought I was insane but I was laughing and soooo happy that I was cleaning up that people were cracking up in the line in New york ( and they are Nyers and laugh at nothing but I guess my sheer joy was exhilarating) I guess I get it from my mom. Yeah I get off on stuff like that. I'm calm, and quiet but joy just overtakes me with artsy stuff, and also when I save money.
I also got 1/2 of the cocktail reception, and had them take down rates on performers. The only thing I'm paying full price for are the fireworks and I'm okay with that because they're still cheap as compared to U.S or the islands like 1/10th the price. The only thing left to do is sign and my fiance and I are doing that this weekend as I've been running around all week working on this documentary and want to go over it with a fine tooth comb one more time before committing.
In addition I was able to get them to cut down the rates on hotel rooms by more than half (and still be all inclusive) because I'm having a group AND they tried to force me to guarantee 10 rooms but I was like no 5.
They had to get the manager to approve, but he agreed to the request and with the offer for the same room rate as if we had to guarantee 10 which is their standard contract.
Don't get me wrong we might have 40-80 guests depending on who shows (40 sure bets and the rest really want to but may or may not be able to fly to riviera maya because of finances) but still I don't want to be responsible if enough people don't show (or want to go to other hotels) . those five rooms equal me, my mom and dad, my uncle, and two of my fiance's best friends with wifes who are guaranteed and who I know without a shadow of a doubt will and can pay (and are excited to come).
And they also agreed to add on more rooms at the same rate as long as we sign the agreement (and of course the invitees will work with our wedding specialists on payment plans if they need them for their flight or hotel, or payment arrangements so we won't have to worry about getting calls, and missed flights...that's for the travel specialist. We got that arranged through bestdestination wedding specialist. that way we don't have to pay them upfront as they get a cut that they arrange with the resort (bestdestination wedding travel specialists). Also I will have a wedding planner on hand, besides the resorts, to make sure things go smoothly, but I've set up so much that she's just given a fee to smooth through the day and for flight and hotel, etc. Because really she's just catching any of the resort's possible mistakes, etc and also helping to make sure the MC does their job, the fireworks go off on time, and the band plays like they should, etc.
I love saving money and I'll always be this way. It's not about how much you have, but how much you save and invest imo. BUT I will say this I have to have quality still so I won't sacrifice quality to save money.
Destination wedding (instant cost cutter). And since I'm a shrewd negotiator I played up the fact that I'm a graduate student (how do they know I work also and my fiance's a doctor? NOT telling them that). When
you go to, or talk to (or email) a place of your choice (I was just talking to someone about this) don't mention a job with potential for high pay when they ask what you do. That's a no no as they eat that up. Don't mention your parents have been saving all their lives for your platinum wedding (mine weren't but hey if you have it like that), or anything like that. Talk about the economy
Also I got them to wave rental fees (most places will charge a fee just to rent the space. Well that fee is negotiable). I waved $1200 right then. And with my poor student (assumed) because it's a tourist destination and I reminded them I'm bringing in money to them through guests, I negotiated from $145 a person down to $35 dollars a person for the same menu, and I have the proposals to prove it. And this is a five star resort that Presidents of countries (from Argentina, and other latin countries etc) have gone to and stayed (so it's not a crappy place). They really didnt care that it's all inclusive, they have high rates and excellent service and said the menu is a special menu so they have a right to charge that much for the wedding dinner, but I still whittled it down. I wanted to laugh hysterically.
I know I'm staying there though I haven't signed yet (but will this weekend). It is an amazing resort with rave reviews, but if I can knock off more I will
. I'm one of those silly people who laughs in the middle of the store if I get a ton off. I was in nordstroms with a coupon I received from groupons (buy $100 for $50) and you could use multiples, right when nordstrom was already having a 75 percent off sale so I cleaned up. And the lady thought I was insane but I was laughing and soooo happy that I was cleaning up that people were cracking up in the line in New york ( and they are Nyers and laugh at nothing but I guess my sheer joy was exhilarating) I guess I get it from my mom. Yeah I get off on stuff like that. I'm calm, and quiet but joy just overtakes me with artsy stuff, and also when I save money.I also got 1/2 of the cocktail reception, and had them take down rates on performers. The only thing I'm paying full price for are the fireworks and I'm okay with that because they're still cheap as compared to U.S or the islands like 1/10th the price. The only thing left to do is sign and my fiance and I are doing that this weekend as I've been running around all week working on this documentary and want to go over it with a fine tooth comb one more time before committing.
In addition I was able to get them to cut down the rates on hotel rooms by more than half (and still be all inclusive) because I'm having a group AND they tried to force me to guarantee 10 rooms but I was like no 5.
They had to get the manager to approve, but he agreed to the request and with the offer for the same room rate as if we had to guarantee 10 which is their standard contract.
Don't get me wrong we might have 40-80 guests depending on who shows (40 sure bets and the rest really want to but may or may not be able to fly to riviera maya because of finances) but still I don't want to be responsible if enough people don't show (or want to go to other hotels) . those five rooms equal me, my mom and dad, my uncle, and two of my fiance's best friends with wifes who are guaranteed and who I know without a shadow of a doubt will and can pay (and are excited to come).
And they also agreed to add on more rooms at the same rate as long as we sign the agreement (and of course the invitees will work with our wedding specialists on payment plans if they need them for their flight or hotel, or payment arrangements so we won't have to worry about getting calls, and missed flights...that's for the travel specialist. We got that arranged through bestdestination wedding specialist. that way we don't have to pay them upfront as they get a cut that they arrange with the resort (bestdestination wedding travel specialists). Also I will have a wedding planner on hand, besides the resorts, to make sure things go smoothly, but I've set up so much that she's just given a fee to smooth through the day and for flight and hotel, etc. Because really she's just catching any of the resort's possible mistakes, etc and also helping to make sure the MC does their job, the fireworks go off on time, and the band plays like they should, etc.
I love saving money and I'll always be this way. It's not about how much you have, but how much you save and invest imo. BUT I will say this I have to have quality still so I won't sacrifice quality to save money.
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mg1979
Well-Known Member
mg1979
Well-Known Member
I also saved money by ordering me veil from http://www.wedding-veil.com/. The one I ordered was much cheaper online even with shipping than I could've gotten else where locally.
DarkHair
New Member
I'll add this, spare no expense on photo and video. Flowers die, food is digested, and invites go in the trash. Your photos, album, and video/dvd are with you for life.
Folk don't like this, but I planned our wedding for two years. Half that time I didn't even have a ring (barely wear it anyway). Because I did this, the day of the wedding we owed no one money. DH paid for the DJ, reception site, and limo. My mom paid for the photographer, food, and reception rentals. I paid for everything else, little by little. I also was a diy bride. I made the invites, favors, pomader balls for flower girls, aisle decor, unity candle, programs, and I think that is it.
Folk don't like this, but I planned our wedding for two years. Half that time I didn't even have a ring (barely wear it anyway). Because I did this, the day of the wedding we owed no one money. DH paid for the DJ, reception site, and limo. My mom paid for the photographer, food, and reception rentals. I paid for everything else, little by little. I also was a diy bride. I made the invites, favors, pomader balls for flower girls, aisle decor, unity candle, programs, and I think that is it.
DarkHair
New Member
veilsbyolena.com was a great help to me. I ordered a custom-made 14ft veil with rhinestones and beading for well under $100.
mg1979
Well-Known Member
Also instead of Reply Cards we used Reply postcards. Postcard stamps are way cheaper than regular stamps. Plus people are more likely to mail them back because all they have to do is fill it out...yeah some people are that lazy that if they have to put it in an envelope and lick it, it's just too much work! Now the only bad thing is presently the post office only has one postcard stamp design...polar bears...year round...even in the spring!
Sent from my iPhone using LHCF
Sent from my iPhone using LHCF
caramelcutieinva
New Member
I am not sure if you ladies have heard about this event but I am going to a Brides Against Breast Cancer event for my wedding dress. Its a nice event, the dresses are discounted and the money goes towards breast cancer research.
