Wedding Forum - All the ideas but no money :(...

We have been trying to save for years, but with one thing or another, we just havent had a spare penny to save. It is so frustrating. We know what venue we want, how much we would like to spend, and to be honest it isnt even a lot wedding budget wise, even what place settings we want. How on earth do you find the money to put away for deposits?! We know there is a lot we can do ourselves, from making invites and place settings, to flower arrangements, but even thats a push at the moment! I think I am starting to get frustrated because we have been engaged such a long time. I love my man more than anything and I would love to let the world know he is officially mine :)

Great idea ^^^^ Also have you thought of getting a second job. That's what I'm planning to do to pay for all the extras like gifts, bridesmaid dresses, h2b ring, etc.

I'm not sure of the logistics of it but have you thought of watching other children in your home to make some money on the side. It's sounds like it'll take some creativity on your part but I'm sure you'll find a way to save extra money.

lol linzo-jo its aful isnt it! we had planned to get married next year but the way things stand that just isnt going to happen :(

We both set up standing orders Into a savings account that go out as soon as we get paid. We were the same, meaning to save but never quite managed it.

We just learnt to live off what we had left...and we're quite surprised that we've actually managed it!!

Xx

You are not alone at all hun I no what U mean we seem to just get to point then bang something happens and it gone it is frustrating but it will happens x x

I hope so, it just feels like it is never going to happen. We have been engaged nearly 11 years now!

I know how u all feel girls! My h2b works long hours and sometimes away 2, (he is in Italy at the mo) so with the 2 young children its hard 2 get a job, but thankfully a new supermarket is opening in my town very soon and they actually gave me a job!!! Only a few hours at the weekend but its something. I know u all will get ur money, we will ALL have the perfect weddings!!!x x

Are not allowed I meant to write!

We both having standing orders to go into a seperate joint savings account and being very strict not touching it unless its for the wedding!!! xx

We also do the standing order to a separate savings account. Mum holds the card for that and we don't have access to it online. It works great as mum is strict so unless we show her an invoice for wedding things we aren't allowed to access it! We thought we couldn't save the 300 a month, but like others have said, u learn to live on what u have. We've also sorted doing a fortnightly meal plan and shop online for that so u dint spend any extra than u need too. Have a scout around the house for things u can sell too. We got 50 quid for dv ds and cds that were sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Not much but it paid for our deposit for entertainment.. x

Don't be afraid to bargain down when you are viewing reception venues that's what I did. Look at my photo album, I got my reception venue for £900 because I asked if it was possible to have just the venue and the buffet. No waiting staff obviously but I used to work in a hotel near it so I'm planning on asking the hotel owners if I can borrow 2 of their staff for the evening. I will pay them the same amount that they would get at the hotel. I have managed to knock off almost £4000 off my spending.

I am able to do this because my ceremony is in England and is small with about 16 people attending then the 100 guest reception is one week later so I was able to cut out the massively over priced sit down meal anyway.

Before I had booked my reception venue I was still thinking of having a sit down meal. I priced outside catering companies and they were quoting me prices that were way lower than that of the venues prices so my advice if you are keeping the meal, don't be afraid to make a few enquiries to outside catering companies, and if you find they are cheaper then ask your venue if they will allow you to bring in a company instead. Ok some venues may have a problem with that, but some venues won't and if you don't ask you don't get as the saying goes.
By the way I highly recommend having a small ceremony as its a brilliant excuse to cut out the most expensive part of the day out. Me and my fiancé only have to pay for 16 meals which will be main course and desert only and not 100 4 or 5 courses.

We are having the same problem, started saving, booked and H2B had accident at work and came to live with me to be nearer to the hospital so tax credits and his wage stopped. I've not been able to save a thing since :( just been creative, planning away. hope he will be working soon

Finally decided on venues, planning on putting deposits down and found out today that my company is going under & selling out to a company in a different county before xmas :(

We love our £2 jar, weve got 2years so hoping itll fill up without us noticing!

thanks girls. the £2 jar sounds good! Itis more getting the mony for the deposits for the big things and bcause we dont have any luxuries or anything it is really very hard to put any money aside at the moment. Hopefully soon, I will have a job agan and can use the majority of that to save with!

Urgh I know the feeling I've had to quit my job over childcare issues and he does stupid hours as well so trying to work round him is impossible as he's 4 days on/4 days off which are day and night shifts. So at the moment he's having to power the overtime. I just feel useless because I'm not earning. I'm trying to sell some art there's not much money in it, but it's better than nowt.

We kept pushing our date back, but we just decided that if we keep doing that it won't happen, so now we've booked it and we have no choice but to knuckle down and save now.

Good luck!

car trouble is the bane of my life, at least while im not working im not driving anywhere wrecking it argh!

ive been put on house arrest, im only allowed to spend on essentials, so im keeping myself occupied by trying to learn how to knit and sorting my clothes out and stuff lol

Oh and painting.

Is there anything you can do like paint or crafty things that you could sell? when i eventuallyyyyy finish this painting its being sold to pay for the printer il need to do my save the dates and invites and wotnot!

That's what we're trying to do, any little bits that we can afford will just come out of general spending rather than the actuall budget.

Saving all your jars is a good idea as well, that's what I'm doing so I can make a sweet buffet rather than hiring one in

Oh dear good luck with that. Hate MOT time. I've got till August to break it before mine. I've been thinking of doing a sweet buffet. Wouldn't have a clue what to put on it though. Too much choice x

I have the stuff for my invites. Had it 6months but haven't got round to the making bit. Guess I'm just putting it off haha. Oh we'll I'm sure everyone will manage to get their dream day no matter how much we skint ourselves in the process. I am determined not to even consider getting a loan. If I can't afford something ill go without x

we just worked out what everything cost and saved a certain amount every month, once we had enough for a deposit on something we paid it and bit by bit we managed to get them all paid and then just saved for the big things

That's good to hear! (That we aren't getting rid of you!) & keep ya chin up hun, everything happens for a reason & at least you both know where you stand now xx