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A fabulous wedding for under $5,000

Posted Apr 09 2008, 08:13 PM by Karen Datko
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When we read about Amy's plans for her wedding at My Daily Dollars, we wanted to be invited. This excellent post explains how you can celebrate in an incredible setting with fabulous food for less than $5,000.

First of all, decide what your wedding means to you. "When I imagined my wedding day, what always got me the most excited was the fact that it will be one of the few times in my life that many of the people I love will be in one place at the same time," Amy writes. "Once I had that in mind, other things started to fall into place."

Base the theme on the location, not the other way around. It takes a lot of money to transform a boring social hall into a special place. Her wedding and a "scrumptious picnic reception" will be at a lodge in the state park where she and her fiance had one of their first dates. She adds, "I'm planning for a hike down to the river in my wedding dress."

Tip No. 3 is: "Ditch the 'it only happens once' thinking." If you can't afford the party you want, you can have that party another day. "When the realities of budgeting came into my planning, I had to give up the very elegant cocktail reception at our local art gallery, complete with a jazz trio and designer shoes," she says. "But you know what's great? I can have that reception for our 10-year anniversary or my stepdaughter's college graduation or any old reason I want."

She also explains how she is splurging on things that matter and cutting costs on stuff that doesn't. Plus, she's involving family and friends. The food at her reception will be incredible because they're helping her make it. To read her entire post, click here.

Comments

 

masonic lodges or lions club are inexpensive alternatives - rather than actual wedding venues. The wedding cake and food can be made by the nearest cullinry schools in your area. Don't rent a limo. The same family and friends you invite already know you and what you can afford. Keep alcohol to a minimum. (beer, wine and a champagne toast) Seasonal flowers are best. Have baby's breath ready to stuff in between arrangements to make them appear larger. If none of this advice helps. Then Elope!!!

you need to show where you got the things and forhow much

The post from Brian Scully is absolutely ridiculous.  You do not know what an individual is capable of pulling together to not hire an uppity professional.  There are many NORMAL individuals who can put a party for 60-100 people together and can provide an awesome buffet!  This is how it was and can still be done for many years.  Weddings are much better when they are personal.  The concept of paying 20-50k for a wedding when that money can be put toward a down payment on a house and can reduce the amount of debt new couple face these days.  I would rather give my children that money to invest over the long haul than to drop it on one day of food binge!

To Greg in Denver;

This article really did not provide any tips.  As someone who has gone through the wedding process here are my suggestions.

One of the easiest ways to save money is to avoid the peak wedding season!  Getting married in the winter, (ie January) is cheap.  Vendors are much more willing to bargain because there is nothing to do right after Christmas.  You will also save money on  flowers becasue in most cases the church is still decorated.

You may want to think  brunch rather than a full sit down dinner.

If you do order flowers,  pick those that are in season.    

Forget about wedding favors! They get thrown out. If they are a must Check and see if there is a candy or chocolate factory in your town call them and see if they have an outlet store where less than perfect candy can be purchased for a reduced price.  You can also make your own candy for very little money!

Do your own wedding invitation on your computer or if they must be ordered, do a plain invitation.  Remember this is paper that gets thrown out!  

If center pieces are a must, use candles and flower petals.

Rather than ordering a large wedding cake.  Use smaller cakes in different flavors.  These cakes can be nicely displayed using talble linens and flower petals (fake or real).  

As far as the dress goes.  If used is OK buy it used or borrow one, (ebey is great)!  You may want to look at purchasing a dress from the season before or ask the store if and when they sell their sample dresses.  Many times these dresses need simple repairs and cleaning that can be done at your local cleaners.  Also remember, a  simple evening gown makes an elegant dress.  Check local fabric stores for streamstresses.

At the end of the day you must determine what is important to you!  Going into debt is not a good way to start a marriage.  Your true friends and family want to celebrate your happiness not send you to the poor farm.     Make a budget and stick to it!  

My total wedding cost was $3,000 including the rehersal dinner

Bride's dress $85

Groom suit $150

Maid of honor dress $100

Suit for son $100

Best man - free - used his own suit

Flowers $100

Centerpieces - made by sister - no charge

No DJ- made music CD's - $15

Wedding and reception at same location - no rental fee

Wedding official $100

Cake - $250

Hair design -  bride and maid of honor $75

Invitations & postage (ink well) $125

Open bar limit $300 - after that cash bar

Rehersal dinner (25 people) - used party house at condo - free

Rehersal food - picnic food - $150 - casual

Buffet dinner for 75 people $1,200

Misc - $350

No photographer - cameras on tables

This is the most terribly written article on MSN money I have ever seen. Please return to 3rd grade before persuing another journalistic adventrue. Special thanks to the bloggers who actually wrote useful information

Title is very misleading...

I do have to note that I am getting married next year and i can not stand when people downplay a person having a big wedding. People are so critical regarding weddings, just because a family can afford to throw their children a big wedding doesnt mean its overrated. From what I have learned is that you shouldnt look at what everyone else is doing but focus the day on what you want and also what you can afford. Taking loans out just to keep up with others is not wise. Do what you can and best of all have fun! Some people go to vegas some people have it in their back yard or some have it at a fancy reception hall. At the end of the day it was that bride and grooms choice on how to have their wedding/reception and their decision to say if it was worth it not someone who chouldnt afford what they did!!!! Who is anyone to say what is right and wrong.........Im just blessed to be able to have the wedding my Fiance and I have envisioned.

My fiance and I are doing our wedding for $5K (or hopefully less) for about 100 people.  Here are my suggestions:

mymagicbean.blogspot.com/2008_04_10_archive.html

They should have just opened this up for sugesstions from the readers. Those were more informative than the article...."Posted Apr 09 2008, 08:13 PM by Karen Datko " .....Karen should have saved her time and ours.

Mr. Scully - some people can't afford the professional.  Some people prefer mac and cheese to stuffed *** of duck with a cherry wine sauce.  Maybe cooking can be a stress reducer for some people.  Just a thought.

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