i have a budget, and i know what i really want and what i can do without, im not looking for a 4 horse drawn carraige or a 20ft train on a hand made silk dress with 10 bridesmaids but i am starting to feel like having a decent wedding, 4 bridesmaids in cheap simple dresses, second hand wedding dress, basic church wedding, simple cold buffet etc is beyond my reach with a budget of £2,000. is it actually possible or is my budget too low? any tips or advice would be much apreciated as im at the stage of curling up into a ball and crying.
CommentAuthorWeeMintyMonkie
I think there are a few threads on planning a wedding on a budget. I changed the theme i really wanted to my second choice theme as there was just no way we could afford what i really wanted!
xxx
CommentAuthorGembo
I have no money either and our plan atm is to rent a village hall and decorate it perosnally. Village halls are so cheap to rent compared to hiring hotels etc and although we will probably have a cold buffet to suit our budget there would be the option to have a sit down meal if we wanted to on the way to the village hall. My plan atm looks like this: Church wedding (which ive looked up is about £350) Pub for a meal for family and bridal party (this still maybe discounted if we have no money and h2b insists on inviting his 80 or so ppl lol) Then to my local village hall for a party (more people will come to the reception it looks like 130ish atm eeek hence no expenieve wedding breakfast lol) and maybe a cold buffet for the eveing (mum and nan have said they'l help with the food) People can get there own way there by taxis coz its only about 20 minutes max for people and i plan to decorate the village hall. Ive found a wicked website that you can hire drapes and lighting etc to create a magical reception so hopefully my plan is to save up and create a winter wonderland in this village hall. I also know the village hall manager so wont have to pay much corkage.
Hope that was anyway helpful i was so put out at first when i realised how much everything was but to me the things that matter are the dress, flowers and my decorations in the hall (h2b has insisted on a expensive pair of shoes as his luxery why who knows lol) but I certaninly wont be spending much more then you as we are only starting to save now xxx
xx Gembo xx
CommentAuthorGembo
Things like favours etc who needs them personal touches make all the difference theres a post on the forum with 2 peoms and shes going to print them up for pressents for her mum and dad really sweet peoms tho which will probably make parents cry lol xx
xx Gembo xx
CommentAuthorNailed
Im having a new wedding dress, two bridesmaids and a cold buffet, and im doing it for a grand (also the groom and his men are having matching suits) I have made my own invites. You dont need a photographer, get al your guests to take pics and pic the nicest. Make your own favours and table decs. Lou x
It can be done and still look lovely. Some of the ladies on here have had fantastic days which didn't cost the earth. I think the key is to look at what is really important to you and what you must have and then really hunt for bargains and see who out of your friends can either help in a craft way or may know people who know are good / do certain things. I found beautiful FG dresses for under £15, my cake from a shop was over £350 but our cousin has a friend who makes lovely cakes and she is charging us £100 and another friend's mate does balloons so that is £60 versus the £120 we were quoted. Plus I have made the invites and favour boxes etc
It can be done so don't worry and look at the threads on here that talk about bargains and planning on a budget. Good Luck xxx
CommentAuthorRockabilly chick
Where are you from? Our venue is beautiful (set next to loch lomond in an old hotel) and we are getting the ceremony, venue hire, honeymoon suite, wedding breakfast, drinks (welcome and meal), buffet, chair covers and sashes all for £1900. It was always an independent hotel but has recently been taken over by Best Western group so maybe there is a similar hotel close by? Not sure if they do a similar thing throughout all their hotels. Also we saved money by ordering wooden roses, borrowing birdcages for centrepieces from my mans work, a friend is taking photos, we are borrowing a classic MG sports car from a friend for photos, using a humanist for the ceremony (only £100), the bridesmaid dresses are £27 each as they are rockabilly dresses from amazon, my dress is being made in china and we are using a credit card to pay for everything (with payment protection) so that we dont need wedding insurance.
Hope this helps, we arent having the fairytale wedding of my dreams but it will be unique and wont break the bank :-)
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CommentAuthorricky
look on my profile..loads of ideas..our wedding cost £2000 and we had a brilliant day xxx
CommentAuthorkimmy
Good old e bay has saved me a fortune!!!
CommentAuthorMichelleFarrar
Yeah im with LoubyScooby.... think about wats most important to you and spend your money in those areas and then hunt for bargains for the rest! Ask around and see wat you can borrow and if you know anyone who is a hairdresser/photographer/florist who might do you a really good deal!
Am sure that you wil easily manage on your budget and still have the most perfect day!! :) xxx
CommentAuthorRockabilly chick
If you can get a package like I did then you'll be sorted. I got loads of bits on bay of e - petals for the tables, wooden rose bouquets, table runners. Nearly all my decorations.
It can be done! I was the same as you at first but after shopping around Ive managed to compromise, like I say its not what Ive always imagined but its what we can afford and hopefully will still be amazing :-)
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CommentAuthorTo B Mrs B
Hi This is my first post infact i only just found the site today :) So i hope its ok to post this I am on a budget but got my dress from Ebay for £80 and my 1 and only bridesmaid from the same site on ebay for £75 . My future mother in law is making the cake we are just getting a lift from a friend to the venue . My favours, shoes in fact almost everything is from Ebay and i have just bought something every month to spread the cost . I have found if you ask someone you know they know someone who can help with things .
CommentAuthorlollilou
edited
Yes I agree pull in all the favours you can! We had my nephews band, friend do the photography,3 djs friends again, best friend bridal and bm hair,other best friend alterations to dresses and waistcoat and loads more all for free! The bay of e is your best friend too lol. My wedding dress with tiara cost just £50 from there! xx
CommentAuthorladyannwyn
awww, thanks everyone, this has really put my mind at ease! i panicked when i saw how expensive things were but ive spoken to freinds and family, started getting some things planned and ive made 2 lists, things i want and things i need! its really put into perspective whats important to me, the church, photopgraphs, my mum used a freind and only had 10 photos by the end :(, and my man so thats it really! im getting some stuff off ebay, making other things and asking freinds for a hand :) im feeling a lot better now i know it is possible to get married for £2000!
thanks again you have all really helped :) xxx
CommentAuthorMrsHarding2be
We are gettin loads of stuff of ebay. its just a case of looking around and finding the cheapest, with photos we looked around and told companies about the quotes to see which will knock money off, we have cut lots of costs but its still the dream day i want, xx
Cannot Wait till becoming Mrs Harding!!
CommentAuthorlollilou
The 2 things that did cost a bit but I absolutely loved were my balloons at the reception but they were done by my florist, they can be done a lot cheaper I think if you buy the balloons and helium gas. The other was my car it really made me feel special again though if you know someone who has a great car it's worth asking. Some brides have asked vintage car clubs and places like that. Do you belong to Freecycle? xx
