What is your biggest splurge and what is your biggest scrimp? [Archive]

Jenn060306

04-25-2006, 08:28 PM

I think the biggest splurge for me was my dress. I never planned on picking a dress that was $1400. But when my dad found out how perfect it was and how much i loved it he offered to pay for it all rather then us splitting it 50/50 like we orginially planned.

Our biggest scrimp.... I guess was our favours. I'm not sure if we can even say its scrimping because it just worked out that we found awsome deals on alot of things. The champaign glasses where 25 cents each, i got 2 rolls of celo wrap for a dollar at the dollar store and then the kisses.... i haven't bought them but they are $1.32 a kilogram i think. So i think it will be about $50-$60 for all of them. Oh, and the ribbon i bought for them was also 2 fr $1.
The other thing was that i designed my own invitations. I got a deal at the printer because i use them for all of my work 80 invitations, map cards, and RSVP cards cost my $95.00

WebLady

04-25-2006, 08:33 PM

Here is ours...

Splurge: The Honeymoon

Scrimp: Everything else ;)

We had a very small ceremony in our home with only our parents there. Then after the honeymoon we had a small reception. It was more of a party really, very non traditional ... we rented out a local bar, it was mostly just our friends that came. It worked well for us ;)

CarlosHoney

04-26-2006, 01:44 AM

Splurging on the Cake. I really wanted this to be a big focus. Also splurged a little on the recpetion room. Bigger and nicer than our original plan...

Scrimping on lots of stuff... Here's the list of free's:

Officiant
Makeup
Favors
Jewelry (Borrowing)
Music

Budget items:

Flowers
Dress/Shoes/Accessories
Food
Decor
Invites

Pretty much it. ;)

Jopet

04-26-2006, 07:53 AM

Well I can't got that far yet but I am guessing I will be splurging on photography and reception.

and scrimping on all the dresses cause my mum and sister are making them, but even if i had all the money in the world I would still get them to make the dresses for me :).

Oh and I wanted to ask Jen where she got wine glasses for that price?

Shawna Bride

04-26-2006, 08:02 AM

Splurge:
* My wedding dress (it was my dream one, although it's not as much as I've heard some people spend on dresses)
* Honeymoon (Well worth it)

Skimp:
* Invitations
* Place cards
* Wedding cake

LaceyinPgh

04-26-2006, 08:19 AM

I'll be honest and say that I haven't scrimped on much. The only thing I scrimped on was the menu cards. Eveything else was pretty much what I wanted.

ikkin510

04-26-2006, 09:18 AM

Let's see here. I think our splurg is the guest list. We have decided to invite more people then planned since SOMEONE (FH) can't decide who not to invite. I guess I would also put the reception here. We don't have to pay for the hall, but the food is a nice chunk of change for our budget. But this is the only place we would even consider to have the reception since it's such a big part of our lives.

For scrimping....basicly everything else. Well, I shouldn't say that. I just make sure I find the lowest price possible on everything. Favors are the worst. I found something I liked, but with more people invited, have to find something cheaper.

Amber818

04-26-2006, 10:14 AM

Splurge:
* My wedding dress (it was my dream one, although it's not as much as I've heard some people spend on dresses)
* Honeymoon (Well worth it)

Skimp:
* Invitations
* Place cards
* Wedding cake

Shawna, if you do not mind me asking how much was your dress and honeymoon. I always wondered how much custom dresses were and we are still pricing honeymoons and the flight alone to go to St.Lucia was like $1400.00...just curious....

Jenn060306

04-26-2006, 10:17 AM

Oh and I wanted to ask Jen where she got wine glasses for that price?

I got the wine glasses at Ikea. They were on sale. If you have one near you keep your eye out for a monthly sale. Also.... check dollar stores. Alot of the time you can get glass wear there for really cheap.

Amber818

04-26-2006, 10:18 AM

What are you guys spending a lot of money on and what are you not spending a lot of money on?

Here is ours...

Splurge: food, booze, & flowers

Scrimp: guest list

I just want to add that my mom has done everything in her power to give me everything I have ever wanted for my wedding so I am going to have to agree with Lacey when I say I feel we haven't "scrimped" on anything it is all what I really wanted.

Jopet

04-26-2006, 10:23 AM

Thanks jen :bbmrgreen: .
Amber you are very lucky to have a mum like yours :D. It's great that she is helping you so much.

Shawna Bride

04-26-2006, 10:35 AM

Shawna, if you do not mind me asking how much was your dress and honeymoon. I always wondered how much custom dresses were and we are still pricing honeymoons and the flight alone to go to St.Lucia was like $1400.00...just curious....

Our honeymoon was $5000 Canadian. Although my old boss suprised me and called our travel agent and paid $2000 towards the honeymoon, so it only cost us $3000 (still a lot). Sandals Grande in St. Lucia is a bit expensive, but it was well worth it. It was so luxiurious. When we were there we didn't spend a penny cause everything was included all the time!
The dress was very expensive, around $2700 (includuding the veil). I wouldn't have done anything differently though. I love my dress so much and I'm glad I did it. Plus, I helped to design in. I got to choose every detail of my dress and I love how it turned out. I paid in installments throughout the year, so it didn't feel that bad.

MOB Karen

04-26-2006, 10:39 AM

What is the difference between our dollars and Canadian dollars? Is it the same?

Amber818

04-26-2006, 10:40 AM

It seems the money was well worth it then...that was so nice of your old boss...thank you!

Shawna Bride

04-26-2006, 10:44 AM

$1.00 Canadian= Approx $0.88 US funds
so, my dress at $2700 Canadian = $2376 US- still expensive :-) but not as much!

WhiskeyGirl

04-26-2006, 10:50 AM

Splurge: Everything...limo, dress, honey moon, reception site, etc.

Skrimp: Cake because my BM made it and it was wonderful! ($70 for supplies but we gave her a $100 for everything including her time!)

We got very lucky. Although we figured we had a budget, after the wedding my FIL came up to us and asked us why we didn't have this or that and we were like "Um, we didn't think it was in the budget." He just rolled his eyes and said we shoulda asked! Oh well, I liked it the way it was. We are very lucky people.

MOB Karen

04-26-2006, 11:01 AM

[quote=LavenderNuptials]Splurging on the Cake. I really wanted this to be a big focus. Also splurged a little on the recpetion room. Bigger and nicer than our original plan...

Sorry to hijack my own thread; but Carrie, do you have a picture of what your cake is going to look like? I would love to see it.

Kacie_bride

04-26-2006, 11:05 AM

I'm not to sure yet, but I think we are splurging on guest list, my jewelry, my veil.

I know we are scrimping on the cake (a friend who is an ameateur baker is doing it, but it will be wonderful!) and maybe the entertainment (Justin knows someone in a band and we'll get a good deal if we have to pay anything at all).

CindySue

04-26-2006, 11:27 AM

We are scrimping on everything! We are calling in friends and family to help on stuff.
What we have ended up splurging on is fixing up the house to get it ready for the reception! I think we have spent more on this house than we have spent on the ENTIRE wedding! I dont think we were supposed to do that!

CarlosHoney

04-27-2006, 01:55 AM

Favors are the worst. I found something I liked, but with more people invited, have to find something cheaper.We're sending one favor home per couple. They are jars of honey, so yeah, a little bit of cost there. The most expensive part was the actual jars, since the rest is DIY. What is the favor, I'm curious! Is it something that couples could share?

My cake!!

It will look just like this:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/e3tos.jpg

Except the flowers will be like the ones at the top of this cake:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/88mgc.jpg

And this is my cake topper (100% DIY):
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/MMMM.jpg

This is a bad pic.. Here's a better one of what the sparkles look like:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/000_0156.jpg

Jopet

04-27-2006, 02:51 AM

Your cake will be beautiful !!! can't wait to see pics of your actual cake.
We are getting our cake made by my SIL's family friend so it won't be full price but I am guessing it will still cost a bit.

brewsells

04-27-2006, 08:52 AM

Splurge: Food, booze
Scrimp: Everything else.. Although I think I will be spending more on my dress than I intended to. Can't help it though! It's perfect. Found it on ebay.

Jopet

04-27-2006, 09:47 AM

Do you have a pic of the dress brewsells ??

MOB Karen

04-27-2006, 09:55 AM

We're sending one favor home per couple. They are jars of honey, so yeah, a little bit of cost there. The most expensive part was the actual jars, since the rest is DIY. What is the favor, I'm curious! Is it something that couples could share?

My cake!!

It will look just like this:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/e3tos.jpg

Except the flowers will be like the ones at the top of this cake:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/88mgc.jpg

And this is my cake topper (100% DIY):
Here's a better one of what the sparkles look like:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/rosesarestriped/000_0156.jpg

I love, love, love, love your cake, Carrie! No wonder you splurged on it! And your cake topper will just top it perfectly.

MOB Karen

04-27-2006, 09:57 AM

Do you have a pic of the dress brewsells ??

I would also like to see it?

brewsells

04-27-2006, 10:26 AM

I would also like to see it?

Here is the listing... tell me what you all think...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8279938611&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

MOB Karen

04-27-2006, 10:36 AM

Wow! I love it because it is so unique. It sort of reminds me of Victorian times. You are going to look fabulous coming down that aisle! That dress is just so beautiful!! What a great choice, Brewsells!

brewsells

04-27-2006, 10:37 AM

MOB Karen

04-27-2006, 10:56 AM

Thanks, Karen.. That is the same reason I love it.. My only problem is that it is 1 size smaller than I need.. I plan on losing enough weight by August, but if I don't, will I be able to let it out enough? I know nothing about altering...

I don't know, it does have a lot of detail. Don't take any chances, just try to really, really hard to lose the weight.

brewsells

04-27-2006, 11:06 AM

I don't know, it does have a lot of detail. Don't take any chances, just try to really, really hard to lose the weight.

Well, if I do get it, that will be the hugest motivation ever! If I don't lose the weight, I can't wear it.

MOB Karen

04-27-2006, 11:10 AM

Well, if I do get it, that will be the hugest motivation ever! If I don't lose the weight, I can't wear it.

And that would be a travesty!

Kacie_bride

04-27-2006, 08:01 PM

Carrie I love your cake! You've got style girl! And Brewsels your dress is gorgeous. I can't wait to see the pics of you in the dress at your wedding!

usahgrad

04-27-2006, 09:35 PM

Splurge: Photographer! BIG TIME!
Little on the dress and a little on the cake.

Skimp: Hall and DJ

Everything else was kind of kept at a reasonable rate, not too expensive, not to skimpy.

tha_mrs

04-28-2006, 02:59 PM

Ofcourse I haven't gotten nearly that far, but we know what's going to cost.

Splurge: FH tux

Skimp:everything else. Family and friends and friends of friends and family will be doing everything else. It's one of those cases where you grew up in the neighborhood so everbody knows you.It's like that for me and my FH sings in a choir so he has connects.Everyone has only asked for a token of love,not a fee.

Waiting

05-01-2006, 09:09 PM

Well, I'm just getting started, but my idea is to have a very small wedding, and then share the experience virtually with a lot of the people who won't be able to make it (we have family and friends on three continents!). I'm going to start a blog so everyone can follow the journey to our wedding day, and not feel left out. I was going to use www.blogger.com (http://www.blogger.com), or I actually just found this site, www.weddingchronicles.net (http://www.weddingchronicles.net). They're brand new - does anyone else want to blog over there with me? It says you'll get a free wedding gift!

Anyhow, that should give us a pretty inexpensive wedding - so we can blow it all on our honeymoon :bblol: !

MOB Karen

05-01-2006, 09:17 PM

Waiting

05-01-2006, 09:28 PM

Thanks! We're getting married in September (another way to have an inexpensive wedding, no time to plan, LOL!)...

MOB Karen

05-01-2006, 09:33 PM

Thanks! We're getting married in September (another way to have an inexpensive wedding, no time to plan, LOL!)...

That is so true. lol My daughter is getting married on September 9, which day did you pick?

Waiting

05-01-2006, 09:37 PM

Sept 16 (we think... depends on when the person we want to marry us is available - can you tell we're new at this??!!)

WebLady

05-01-2006, 09:39 PM

Hey there Waiting, welcome to the board! Let us know if we can help, search the forums, start a new thread, jump in, we love to help :D

rainbowtreat

05-04-2006, 06:33 PM

To add to this thread out splurge would be the DJ. It is the most expensive thing. ( that we have to pay for ) we have a friend paying ofr the photos for us as a gift

And the skimp would have to be every thing else. We have so many people doing thigns for us as gifts that helped us out alot. But we still have things to pay lke my dress and his tux and the kids clothes. The cake is a cupcake cake and that will cost less if we make it outselves but we are thinking of speneind $60 and getting 6 dozen cupcakes and an 8" round for the top.

LizabethDavis

05-04-2006, 06:53 PM

Let's see...

Splurge: DJ , location, Caterer, honeymoon

Skimp: Dress, veil headpiece, flowers, officiant...wait...everything else!

MOB Karen

05-04-2006, 10:02 PM

Let's see...

Splurge: DJ , location, Caterer, honeymoon

Skimp: Dress, veil headpiece, flowers, officiant...wait...everything else!

Where are you going for your honeymoon, Elizabeth?

Kacie_bride

05-04-2006, 10:48 PM

I think she is going to the U.K.

MOB Karen

05-04-2006, 10:54 PM

I think she is going to the U.K.

Oh, yeah, that's right, it's on her ticker. That would be fun! Thanks, Kacie!

BriansBride07

08-02-2006, 12:27 PM

Biggest purchase was my dress and still got one h##l of a deal on that everything elses is being skrimped (SP) but won't look it. Just have to find the sales and don't let anyone know that you got a great deal on it.

JennF

08-02-2006, 12:53 PM

Hmm, We're having a really small wedding so nothing has felt like a splurge so far. There'll be just 32 guests, so even the set meal and champagne won't set us back more than a few thousand. I guess I'd have to say the honeymoon since we're headed to Denmark and it's a pricey country to visit.

Rather than saying scrimped, I have to say that we got a really good deal on our stationary. I just had custom invitations and announcements done and they're costing us just over $2 apiece. The head of my department has an invitation business on the side and she's just charging us for the supplies! And I got to help assemble them so I feel really involved. They're my favorite thing about wedding planning so far. I've enjoyed this even more than dress shopping!

Hmmm, maybe I should set up a wedding journal this weekend. I'm having a blast reading all of the others. ;)

septemberbride06

08-02-2006, 12:57 PM

we splurged on my cake, and my dress.
we scrimped on lots of things: Mainly the centerpieces for the tables,a nd decor

KristyGirl

08-02-2006, 02:37 PM

Splurge- Honestly, we really didn't splurge on anything. We had so many people helping and offering their services as gifts to us, so we really didn't have to pay crazy prices for anything.

Scrimp- Favors and ceremony decorations

cowboysbride

08-02-2006, 04:13 PM

Our biggest splurge is our "official" honeymoon to Cocoa Beach (in 30 days)!

Our biggest scrimp was the cakes and cookies, my sister made (free to us as a present) them all and they were better than anyone else could have done....she put her heart and soul into those cakes and it showed!

kevinsbride2B

08-03-2006, 04:13 PM

Honestly, I haven't put down the cash for the suepr expensive stuff yet, but I do know however it will be the dinner!
However, I did luck out because i have a VERY experience wedding planner who was even the events coordinator for the Canadaina prime minister. And the best part... it's FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! It also helps that she's my best friend and my maid of honour

rainbowtreat

08-03-2006, 05:54 PM

My biggest splurge was my DJ. I wanted to have one so bad and there were not many to choose from in my home town. This was the biggest expense and it wasnt even that big. I paid him a total ( with deposit and all ) $450 I think. My dress wasnt even that much.

That biggest skimp I would say the invatations. We made them ourselves and they were not very fancy but I liked them.

Thre was alot that oculd fall into these catagories but we didnt pay for them. The pictures would have been the biggest expense at about $3500 but it was a gift to us. And the food would have been the cheapeast as we were going to do a pot luck but my BIL and his mom offered to do the food for us.

SoontobeMrsClark07

08-03-2006, 06:06 PM

I cant really answer this one because we're not scrimping on anything, but we have found budget options...

Here's what we have:

A little on the expensive side:

Reception Site/Catering/Drink - Its all bundled together
Jonathan's ring
Veil and other accessories - except shoes
honeymoon"Budget" Items:

DIY ceremony accessories (RB pillow, FG basket, programs, unity candle, pew bows, aisle markers, guest book, and other misc decorations)
Dress - $99 cant beat that!!
Photography - he usually charges a lot more but because he's a family friend we're getting it very very cheap!
Cake - also getting a friend to do it
Shoes - DSW baby!
Flowers
D.J.
Nails - I get free pedicures when I get a fill for my nails
Invitations and other stationary
Limo - MOH's uncle (we're all close) is good friends with a guy that owns a limo company, we're getting limos CHEAP!
Favors
Rose Petals
Candles for votivesFree Items

Hair
Musicians for the ceremony and cocktail hour (one of the perks of being a music major!)
Make-up
Officiant
Massages
Facials
Videography (this is still up in the air- my aunt's ex-husband said he would do it for free, he does video for ABC here in DC. We havent made a decision yet, either way someone's going to video tape it for free)
Centerpieces (provided by the reception site minus candles and rose petals)
Aisle Runner (being provided by a lady in the church for NO cost)

october6

08-03-2006, 09:51 PM

waiting you are getting married on my fh birthday

mlm063007

08-05-2006, 09:47 AM

My biggest splurge (so far) would have to be my dress. It is going to cost around $1100, almost twice what I wanted to spend.

The biggest scrimp so far is the DJ for $250.

SunnyAB

08-06-2006, 12:03 AM

LavenderNuptials - we are having honey too! (my name means bee and a local beekeeper has some of his hives on my Moms farm - so it was sort of natural) Do you have pics of your favors? I am trying to decide on our final 'presentation'. We have lots of time, havent set a date yet even (due to crappy circumstances) but honey will never go bad, so thats something I can do WAY ahead of time.

(Sorry to hijack a bit.)