Receptions & money saving

[lesley]

This is probably continued from "Is a wedding on a small budget possibe."
I have been getting some great tips like just serving cake and punch, ect. But majority of the places I called have HUGE minimums that are required:

Sheraton Suites $3500 minimum food & beverage, $600 ballroom rental
4 Points Sheraton $3000 min food & beverage, $500 ballroom rental
Ramada $2000 min food & beverage, $FREE ballroom rental
This isn't including acohol prices.

All include your basics: Lines, centerpieces, cake cutting, free room for newlyweds, ect.

That would leave me with only $2500 - $3000 for everything else that is supposed to go in the wedding.

Good lord ladies, here come the stress all over again

[sstark1218]

Do you absolutly have to have it in a hotel? I'm sure you could find reception/banquet halls a lot cheaper than most hotels...

[lesley]

Maybe, didn't check on it but then I would have to provide catering won't I?

Another dilema, most vendors require deposits or money up front. I won't have any available funds until late January, so does this mean I should push my wedding back?

[WebLady]

I agree that hotels are going to be one of your most costly options.

Yes you will have to provide catering at some of the smaller places but you should be able to find some local vendors that will work with you.

Most vendors do require contracts and deposits to reserve your date though. So just don't book until you have money or ask about a payment plan option. I know that there are vendors out there that would work with you if you explain your situation. You will just have to shop around.

One tip though, just don't get demanding, no body likes that :wink: The reason I mention this is that I have seen some places tell brides to go vendors pretty much demanding that they get lower than advertised prices. As a vendor myself, I am more open to negotiation when people are nice and upfront with me. Ya know the old saying, you get more with honey thing ...

Best of luck to you!

~ WebLady :)

[sstark1218]

She took the words right out of my mouth :o You will have to provide the catering, but if you use someone local, they will still be cheaper than the hotel. When is your big day scheduled for? You said you wouldnt have the money till January.. when is the actual ceremony?

[lesley]

Big day was scheduled for May 21st 2006, then we pushed it back to August 6th. Both of these days are on a Sunday to increase our chances of getting a good deal on everything.

Oh, I agree 100%. I have read so many posts and ebooks suggesting the only way to get a good deal is to demand, be in control, and know that you have options.

Well I know I have options, but my options are limited because of my budget. I believe in getting what you give out. I was up front and honest with the hotel vendors when I told them what my budget was and they were up front and honest and told me that it wasn't likely to happen there.

I ask if there was anywhere I could cut cost and they explained where, but they couldn't budge on the food and bev minimum because exactly as they said, it is the minimum. So I will continue my search. I got on *******.com and chatted with local knotties and most of these women (they are great women) seem to have a lot more money to work with than I do.

Like my total wedding budget is around $6000. Some on there had this number just for their wedding gown. But I will try not to get discouraged

[usahgrad]

I'm having my reception at a community park. The lodge is beautiful. Then I'm going to hit GFS/BJ's (like Cosco or Sam's Club) and get food that's prepared in bulk and just has to be heated up (the site has a full sized service kitchen). My mother-in-law has hired some people from her work to act as prep and servers. In total, the reception and catering is going to cost me less than $1500.

[WebLady]

lesley, $6000 is more than enough to have a great wedding and reception and the Sunday idea is a good place to start you on the right track for cutting costs.

Don't let the hotels and big name places discourage you, they are not usually the places that will work with anyone. They know that if you don't have the funds that there are several another brides that will so they really don't care to help out anyone. These are the ones that are usually more likely to overcharge people because they 'can'.

I suggest looking for local independent vendors and small businesses, they are more likely to be flexible to meet your needs and work with you.

And for the reception location, a community park, recreation center or local lodge, is a great idea and usually only a few hundred dollars to rent for the whole day. Depending on how many guests you have, you might check out local restaurants, some of them may have a banquet room they rent out for special events.

You can also look into an all inclusive facility, but be careful, they will have loads of restrictions. So be sure you know just what you are getting and what you can and can't do before you sign anything.

If you were in south Georgia, I could give you specific places and vendors to check out and which ones to avoid.

Whatever you end up doing, remember, it is ultimately about the marriage, the love and the commitment you are making, not the money you spend on the 'wedding'.

Best wishes to you!

~ WebLady :)

[WebLady]

Here is something that a friend of mine and I came up with that might help ...

Typically, most of your budget will be spent on the location and the food.

Here is a sample breakdown of how you might spend a budget of $5000.

Attire:

- Dress = $200
- Alterations = $100
- Accessories = $100
- Hair/Make Up = $0 - DIY
- Groom's Tux = $0 - free with groomsmen rental

Total = $400

Ceremony:

- Marriage license = $30
- Officiate = $100
- Location = $400
- Music/DJ = $250

Total = $780

Reception:

- Location = $400
- Catering = $1125 (less than 75 guests including wedding party)
- Cake = $200
- Music/DJ = $250

Total = $1975

Wedding director = $300 (Just for the rehearsal and the ceremony. Makes everything so go much smoother. Be sure to get one that will work will with your other vendors)

Invitations/Stationery:

- Invites = $100 (DIY)
- Thank you notes = $20 (DIY)

Total = $120

Flowers/Decor:

- Bride's Boq = $75
- BM flowers (2) = $60
- Corsages (5) = $50
- Men's boutonnieres = $12 (just for the grm)
- Church Decor = $100
- Reception Decor = $100
- FG basket/rose petals = $18

Total = $415

Photography:

Proofs only package = $800

Total = $800

Video = $0 - have a friend or family video

Transportation = $0 - Leave in your own car

Gifts/Favors:

- Wedding party gifts = $100 ($25 each - 2 bm's, 2 gm)
- Guest favors = $50 ex: (ie; Candy tied with tulle for 75)

Total = $150

Misc Accessories = $60 (like - garter, knife/server, guest book, toasting glasses, unity candle, ect ...)

Grand total: $5000.00 * estimate does not include taxes ...

These prices came from DIY estimates and local vendors I know in my area. I am sure similar things can be done for all of you in your area too.

Best wishes to all!

~ WebLady :)

[CarlosHoney]

Are there any nice hotels that are family/locally owned? These places are more willing to work with you. Big corporate palces really aren't allowed to bend the rules for anyone. Again, they charge more because they can.

2-3000 should be okay, though, for the rest of the wedding. There are other things that you can do to save money. You just have to look for things. I personally think that doing private catering is much better. Your chances are that the food will be better, and cheaper, and you might have more options on what to serve. Also, the restaurant thing rocks. Depending on the size of your guest list, your options are open. Think of unconventional places to have the reception. You can usually sweet talk someone into letting you use the place you're thinking of.

[usahgrad]

Hey, side note, I learned this myself. Do NOT work with a catering company that does mainly business events. They're prices are higher, they're not flexible, and they charge for ridiculous things like tasting their food. Thought I would help other learn from my experience.

[bnd94]

What type of a meal are you planning? Or are you going to do the cake and punch reception? I don't think you will need a caterer if you have cake and punch. Although then you do have to worry about plates and silverware.

[CarlosHoney]

I'm using paper plates and plastic silverware. At Party City you can get them in whatever color, so I'm just going to get plates that match the decor, and then toss them. If I could afford pretty china and siver, I'd do it, but I can't. Plus, it's a hassle. I just know that something would get broken and I'd have to pay for it.. So, we're going disposable!

[bnd94]

I'm using paper plates and plastic silverware. At Party City you can get them in whatever color, so I'm just going to get plates that match the decor, and then toss them. If I could afford pretty china and siver, I'd do it, but I can't. Plus, it's a hassle. I just know that something would get broken and I'd have to pay for it.. So, we're going disposable!

That is true. If I do just hor'derves and cake then thats what I will do too. But if I go with more of a meal with meats then I would have to get silverware.
It would definetly make clean up more easy!!

[WebLady]

Hey, side note, I learned this myself. Do NOT work with a catering company that does mainly business events. They're prices are higher, they're not flexible, and they charge for ridiculous things like tasting their food. Thought I would help other learn from my experience.

This may be true for some businesses in some areas ... if you use a caterer that does not have food made all the time it will cost them more time and effort to make something special for you, so from a business standpoint, I understand why they would charge a fee for a tasting.

Some of the bigger, more expensive companies offer 'free tastings' but you are paying for it one way or another. Actually many vendors have consultation fees, these fees are usually part of the package if you end up using them.

However from a buying standpoint, I know that we like to know what we are getting ... so to save yourself from this kind of thing, I would suggest using a restaurant/caterer or a smaller independent vendor. And visit lots of bridal shows ... in my area, there are often free local bridal events where you can meet and talk to vendors like bakers and caterers and sample their stuff.

Best wishes,

~ WebLady :)

[lesley]

Haven't really decided yet. We are trying to figure out what type of reception we want to have. A short, simple celebration or a party type. We are still trying to arrive at this by going over our guest list. If we decide on short, we may do cake and punch, if we decide to party (Its my wedding and I am going to party) then we might serve finger foods, trays, and wings or something. Is this considered hor'derves?

If not, what is?

[WebLady]

Haven't really decided yet. We are trying to figure out what type of reception we want to have. A short, simple celebration or a party type. We are still trying to arrive at this by going over our guest list. If we decide on short, we may do cake and punch, if we decide to party (Its my wedding and I am going to party) then we might serve finger foods, trays, and wings or something. Is this considered hor'derves?

If not, what is?

Finger foods/cocktail foods (chicken fingers, wings, veggie and cheese trays and such) are the only hor'derves I have ever known :wink:

~WebLady :)

[CarlosHoney]

Anything that could go on the 'Appetiser' menu at a restaurant is an hors d'vore. We're serving artichoke dip, salad, bread, We're going for sort of a 'light meal' thing. No one will be that hungry when they get there, but they'll eat and probably be full. I think that it's just better for us. Not as much to prepare and only 2 things that need to be heated.

[bnd94]

Haven't really decided yet. We are trying to figure out what type of reception we want to have. A short, simple celebration or a party type. We are still trying to arrive at this by going over our guest list. If we decide on short, we may do cake and punch, if we decide to party (Its my wedding and I am going to party) then we might serve finger foods, trays, and wings or something. Is this considered hor'derves?

If not, what is?

Finger foods/cocktail foods (chicken fingers, wings, veggie and cheese trays and such) are the only hor'derves I have ever known :wink:

~WebLady :)

Me too

[lesley]

Never heard of "hor'derves" until now.

[rainbowtreat]

I used Weblady's budget ideas and modified it to my own and this is just a rough draft of things i know i need and already have or dont need.

Attire:

- Dress = $300
- Alterations = $100
- Accessories = $100
- Hair/Make Up = $0 - DIY
- Groom's Tux = $100
- Son's Tux = $60
- Daughters dress = $100

Total = $760

Ceremony:

- Marriage license = $30
- Officiate = $100
- Location = $0
- Music/DJ = $0

Total = $130

Reception:

- Location = $0
- Catering = $100 ( potluck )
- Cake = $200
- Music/DJ = $0
- Tables, chairs, tent? etc. = $1000

Total = $2300

Wedding director = $0

Invitations/Stationery:

- Invites = $50 ( making my own )
- Thank you notes = $20 (Making my own )

Total = $70

Flowers/Decor:

- Bride's Boq = $0 ( friends gettign as a gift )
- BM flowers = $0 ( gifts )
- Corsages = $20 ( makign my own )
- Men's boutonnieres = $20 ( makign my own )
- Decorations for both = $200
- FG basket/rose petals = $20

Total = $260

Photography: $0 ( gift from friend )



Total = $0

Video = $0 - have a friend or family video

Transportation = $0 - Leave in your own car

Gifts/Favors:

- Wedding party gifts = $100 ($25 each - 2 bm's, 2 gm)
- Guest favors = $150 ( M&m's with our names and dates )
( deletes the printed napkins )

Total = $250

Misc Accessories = $60 (like - garter, knife/server, guest book, toasting glasses, unity candle, ect ...)

Grand total: $3,830.00* estimate ( give or take a little )

Rainbowtreat

[WebLady]

I am glad you got some ideas from the budget sample I posted.

I figured it would be altered to suit each situation, but I thought it would help.


rainbowtreat, it is great that you have creative and generous friends!

Where are you having the ceremony and reception? You didn't mention that, just listed $0. Just curious.

Best of luck to all of you!

~WebLady :)

[rainbowtreat]

I am having the ceremony and the reception in my sisters yard.

They are suppling the music for me.

Oh and another thing, my sister and her husband got us our room for the night so there goes another expence.

Rainbowtreat

[WebLady]

Wow, that is great for you! Now all you need is the honeymoon :wink:

I did a wedding last June that was held in the bride's family's backyard. It was nice, they rented tents and columns and such. But it was June and very HOT. They had also rented big fans but it was not enough. Everyone was 'glistening' with sweat in most of the pictures :wink:

My sister mentioned that she wanted to get married in my mom and dads backyard. They have the room but the landscaping is not so pretty, so we will see.

Her FMIL suggested to do it in their family church, in another state! I hope they don't do that because I don't want to have to travel :?

Ok, I am rambling now, sorry.

~ WebLady :)