Budget / timeline ???

[Lacey]

I am new to this forum, and appologize if I missed a post that may have already answered some of this. I am trying to decided if it is even possible to plan a low budget (but nice) wedding on a very short timeline. My FFI is ill and we are not sure if he will make it till next year (and we both really want him at our wedding). I have already started some of the crafty things that I can handle but was wondering if anyone has some input on putting together a decent wedding in only a few months. I am at the very beginning of this process and am feeling somewhat overwhelmed with getting the ball rolling on the plans. . . any help is appreciated.

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Anything is possible!!! First of all, what do you consider "low budget" and what do you consider "a short time line"? Also, how many people do you want, and where do you want to get married? Do you want a ceremony and reception? :) By doing a lot of things yourself (DIY) you can save a lot of $. We would be happy to help you any way we can!

[Lacey]

Well, I am thinking less than six months for the timeline.
We have worked very hard to shrink the guest list and still have about 100 people (he is from a very large, blended family).
I have found a site that I will go to see this weekend that is only 600 to rent the site and the food is between 45-60pp. I am hoping to negotiate them down some, if not I guess I keep looking. (though this is low for NY)
We do want to have a ceremony and reception, but at the same place which would be included in the 600 (we would still need to pay for an officiant).
As far as budget, lower is better. We would rather not go into debt to pay for it but may have to. We were hoping to have some family help but now its not looking as good for his family to be able to help and my parents cant tell us how much they will be able to help which is making the budget more difficult to pin down. I am hoping to keep it under 8000 but I would like to have it even lower... hope I didnt ramble too much... and thanks again

[Jettadear]

Ebay is always good for supplies. Don't fear talking to family on both sides about your plans for the wedding. I started including my FMIL and she had all kinds of connections that I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't included her and her ideas. If you haven't already picked at reception style yet, buffet is cheaper than a sit down meal. Less people are needed to serve. If you are planning to have alcohol at the reception, this will increase the cost alot for 100 people. Time of day can make it cheaper. We are saving tons on our DJ because our formal reception is at noon instead of in the evening. Hope this helps.

[Katie-ryn]

I say decide what is important to you and FH. Do you really want the expensive food, big dress, dj, expensive cake? Or do you feel like you HAVE to have them because that's what weddings have?

When I sat down with FH to decide what we both HAD to have at our wedding all he said was "you". And that has set the formality of our wedding. We know we don't need all the extras, it's really just about us getting married.

[Lacey]

He and I are both willing to go for the most discounted venues and food that we can. I think one of my biggests struggles is that I feel like 8000 is a huge amount of money, but these things are so expensive here. The last two weddings that we were part of cost over 50,000 each. We cant do that, and dont want to, but we do feel like we should feed people and not having alcohol will not be accepted by either of our families. I think I need to have him come read some of these posts with me and get a realistic view of what things cost. I am DIY what I can, but I work two full time jobs and have to sleep some time. I am so impressed with all of you that seem to be balancing things so well (gives me hope that I can do it too). I will let you all know how the place I am visiting this weekend looks, Im hoping I found a good deal here because it is half the cost of all the others we've looked into so far.

[acidcookie]

I think you can have a beautiful wedding for $8000! We are budgeting for 100 guests with a sit down dinner and alcohol and right now the wedding is costing us about $6000. We are also leaving out tons of standard things that we don't care about having. It's important to decide exactly what is worth spending money and/or time on for YOU. It will require some creativity and DIY, but that's what will make it so much more special!!

[fireprincess2009]

What part of NY are you from? Our budget is $7000 for about 100 people. We're working hard to keep on track (not easy since I'm on dress #2)

Food is a huge portion of the cost. Right now we're entertaining a couple of options to save there. One is getting the main portion of the meal catered and utilizing the talents of our families to take care of appetizers and dessert. Of course I don't like cake so we're having cheesecake and ice cream sandwiches (FH suggestion I just LOVE!) Option 2 for food is having an upscale bbq. We can get a bbq place (one we've tried and loved) to come much cheaper than a "wedding" caterer.

Alcohol is also huge. See if the place where you are having your wedding will let you supply the alcohol yourself. Also, you could just have wine and beer. We've chosen to have beer, wine and a couple signature drinks. This way we only need to buy a few kinds of alcohol and mixers.

Also, who do you know that can help you with any part of the wedding? Is your cousin a budding amateur photographer? Are you friends with any musicians? Use an I-pod or computer for music - cheaper than a DJ.