This is my first time posting, hoping to get some advice from fellow brides to be.
My other half and I have been engaged since Christmas just gone, together 6 years. We never really had plans to get married, it was just kind of a 'one day when we are old and have more money' kind of thing, but we went to our friend's wedding reception the other day, and we are both now desperate to get married ourselves.
We do have a couple of problems though..
- We would only have a budget of £5000 (not to necessarily include honeymoon)
- And more problematic, we would need a venue suitable for anywhere between 75 and 100 guests for the breakfast and everything- his family is HUGE!
After doing some basic research.. I am becoming more pessimistic that this is never going to happen - everything is SO expensive! I am constantly on **Gr0up0n checking deals, but they are only for 50 people and are very expensive to add an additional person.
**EDIT: COMPANY NAME DISGUISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FORUM RULES. MODERATORS
I know its a big ask but in an ideal world I would love to have my wedding in a hotel or something, all in the same place so you don't have to do the logistics of moving 75+ people. A hotel would also be handy as lots of people would be from out of area and unable to go home.
We are in West Sussex, but would be happy to have our wedding in neighbouring counties. If anybody has any advice I would REALLY appreciate it!
Thanks for reading! :D x
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Firstly, to
You've come to the right place. All our members are full of great ideas for weddings of all budgets.
To get you started please have a read of the forum rules, check out the brides checklist and add your date to the wedding calendar, all at the top of the forum - if you have not already.
The thread on DIY is also great for brides on a budget.
Enjoy the site!
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorInDreamland
One of the best ways to save on the venue, catering and all other big suppliers like photographer and florists is to do a wedding between October and April and also have it midweek, they're off peak and so prices can be far cheaper and you have more chance of haggling prices down with suppliers as they're less in demand.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
As IDL says, definitely look out of season and midweek for cheaper prices on venues. Having our weddng on a Friday has saved us about a grand on venue alone than having it on a Saturday. I kniw the B3st W3stern hotel near us do a wedding package for £1k so there might be something similar in your local area. Three course sit down meals can be pricey too so maybe look at buffet options instead. My dress is from a shop that sells ex sample and preloved dresses so was half the price of the same dress new, so look out for sample sales too. And pull in favours from anyone who might be able to help. Do you know someone who is good at baking that could make a cake? Or maybe someone djs in their spare time?
My best advice for budgeting though is write down with your partner the things that are most important to you both and spend more in those areas and less on things you don't care about. E.g. if you aren't really fussed about the flowers, spend less on them and more on the dj/band because you really love music. X
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Some good tips there.
Also it's worth having a later ceremony then only needing to feed people once rather than doing a formal 3 course sit down followed by an evening buffet.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
Keep your bridal party down to a minimum too, maybe just one or 2 bridesmaids then a best man and 1 Usher. The more you have in the bridal party the more you have to spend on dressing them and all the other bits that go with it, like hair, makeup and gifts.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorStephanieM158
Hey hey hey!! We're getting married next year a guest list of 100+ peeps and it's come under £4000. So it can be done!! I have 1 bridesmaid, 1 flower girl, 1 Photographer BBQ evening buffet We're getting married at 3:30pm thus skipping a wedding breakfast and all decor is totally d.i.y Watch for hidden costs when finding a venue. Chair covers and bows etc are a bug cost and they arent needed!! just be smart and dont be afraid of upsetting people when it comes to bridesmaids etc. xx
Met 2004
Engaged 2014
Getting Married 2016
CommentAuthorprincesspixie
write down two lists one of the things you need and one of what you want once you've covered the things you need just start looking at the things you want to see if they really are necessary such as centrepieces or chair covers certain decorations aren't needed they just seem like the "done thing" these days xx
Officially married my best friend 2/5/2015 (secretly)
Big wedding 18/06/2016
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
Hi - I'm over the county in East Sussex.
The venue where I am having my reception is offering % off winter weddings, so you could save money by looking at a non-summery month. Also, rather than a Friday or Saturday, go for a Thursday or other day in the week. Think hog roasts are usually better value for money and start looking at dresses now - most shops will be starting to get their 2016 ranges in, so you may find a bargain :-)
Good luck.
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
DIY DIY DIY ..... I made loads ..
My invites Place cards Confetti cones Confetti Bouquets Button holes
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CommentAuthorWundatigga
Loads of great advice above...
I would also take a good look at your guest list - just because someone if family does not mean the MUST be invited. My family is huge (I have over 30 cousins and a lot of us now have several children!) but most of them I rarely see anymore so they will not be invited. I know it seems mean but if you need to keep costs down less people to feed and less invited to have made/make etc) will definitely help. So write down a list of everyone you really want there, then everyone else can go on the possible list.
Started dating: 10th February 2011
Welcomed our little girl: May 2015
I proposed: 23rd December 2015
I finally become Mrs R 17th August 2017
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