On-A-Budget-Brides: How are you saving $$$$ ???

[PilsnPinkysMom]

...Putting off studying for law school finals & thought I''d see what ways brides on a budget are saving money!! I''ve found that ''budget bride'' books sometimes lack practical suggestions (ie: I''m really not bold enough to make my on bouquets, bake my own cake, etc) and figured real-world brides may have creative, do-able ideas!!

FI and I are planning an out-of-state wedding & knew we REALLLLY wanted a served, sit-down dinner & open bar- so we''re cutting back elsewhere.

-No knife/serving set for cake cutting (using parents'' old one!!

)
-No personalized champagne flutes
-No runner for the isle
-Foregoing fancy cake for simple buttercream & plane-jane flavor with organza ribbon at the bottom of each tier
-Small-ish bridal party
-No limo
-No honeymoon (saving for after my graduation)
-No favors (they can take centerpieces)
-No programs for the ceremony
-No save-the-dates (just sending cards to long-distance guests to give ''em a heads-up... & side note: About 5 years ago, i NEVER saw save-the-dates. This is definitely a newer craze)
-Officiant is FI''s uncle- it''s his gift to us.
-Down-sizing bouquets & using in-season flowers
-Cutting out champagne toast/wine service with dinner
-Discount invites (invitations-rsvp.com or MagnetStreet.com GreatGreatGreatGreat)
-Dress from bridal consignment shop (I DEF. know this is a no-go for MANY brides, which is OK... but it doesn''t bother me

)

A few hundred dollars here & there actually makes a pretty big difference.... We''re also considering hiring a wedding planner (which doesn''t seem to make sense, right?) But Cleveland planners are pretty affordable, can make sure the flowers/centerpieces/DJs, etc are coming together & will help us stay within our budget. We''ll only be in Ohio once before the wedding (this Christmas) & maaaaybe once over the summer if jobs permit. Plus planners get discounts... so that''s always helpful!

What other ways are you brides saving money??? Bring on the suggestions!

 

[78girl]

Sorry to thread jack, but I wasn''t sure if you caught my question at the end of your other thread about venues...

orig. post: Hey Pilsn -

As a fellow Clevelander who was anticipating Windows for a winter ''10 wedding - is it really a concern that you needed to book it this early for late 2011??? I haven''t contacted them as I''m not officially engaged yet - but I assumed January of 2010 wouldn''t be a problem trying to reserve...let alone December of 2011...

If so, yikes! I better get my bf moving on the ring front!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

78Girl!!

Oh no, no, no! Don''t worry too much!!! We''re getting married in Dec 2009!!! I probably posted 2011 SOMEWHERE, but that''s not correct

Don''t stress- you''ll have plenty of time & have no problems getting the venue, I''m sure!!

Sorry if I made you panic!!!

 

[78girl]

OH THANK GOD. lol

I actually showed your post to my bf earlier, b/c I was so disappointed! lol. I think I got your 2011 date from one of your original postings then...thanks for clarifying!!

On a side note, I know you''re in law school - I graduated a couple years ago - but wanted to assure you that I had quite a few friends do the wedding during Xmas break idea, and it worked out perfectly

Do you mind sharing what the other country club was?? Is that in Medina?

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Glad that was cleared up!!

& Thanks for the law-school-related comforting. It's STRESSFUL & I'm sure my parents think I'm crazy for doing it, but I realized it'll be just as tough immediately after graduation & my finances wont be any better. Sadly, I really have no money to contribute to the wedding... FI & I just decided we'd rather be in a house in three years rather than footing the bill for a big party-- and every time I feel like a chump about him footing the bill he says, "Don't worry... Once you get a job, your whole salary will go towards our student loans"

(But hey- it's true!!)

The CC was Glenmoor... (Glenmoorcc.com) They actually have an inn directly at the club (SUPER nice!) I can send you the pricing info, if you'd like. May I also suggest The Club at Key Center? We totally fell for this place, but our day was taken. It seems PERFECT for Cleveland winter wedding! And it's attached to the downtown Marriott. I can forward info on this place, too! We still can't get over losing it

I'm not sure of your price range/number of guests, but there's always Severance, the Arcade, Galleria, The Union Club, and all the major downtown hotels (ie Ritz). We really liked the Union Club & Glenmoor, but their costs pushed our budget a liiiittle too far. Severance/Arcade/etc were out of the question, at over 90 per-person.

As I said in the other post, we're hoping to team up with Kirkbrides or Amy Nixon events: I don't know if you've ever considered a coordinator, but I'm sure they have a weaaalth of info on venues & such, which I'd gladly send your way!

Sorry- I really thread-jacked this: It's just exciting to bump into another Cleveland winter bride!

ETA: Glenmoor is in Canton

 

[78girl]

Ahhh, I know - Cleveland + winter is SUCH a rarity around here I hadn''t thought of the Club - do you have to be a member to rent it?? It IS beautiful though - especially b/c they do all the trees around Xmas. Did you look at the Huntington Building at all? As far as budget - Windows'' winter prices are pretty much in line with what we can afford...

I''m also considering Kirkbrides - she looks so cute - and it seems like all her weddings have turned out beautiful. Have you decided on a photog yet??

Also, believe me, getting married during law school is FAR better than trying to get married soon after - especially with the bar exam. And associate hours/vacation are nothing compared to the nice winter break that school affords. You''re making a smart choice!

 

[bee*]

I''m doing a lot of the things diy-invites, flowers, decor etc. I''ve been pretty lucky in that I''ve still been able to fit most things in, it just took a lot of hunting for vendors who were within my price range that I was happy with.

 

[mrowmrowsmom]

I''m totally doing my own flowers. It''s hard to make flowers look bad. We''ll probably order them from Sam''s Club and then put them together after the rehearsal dinner. We''re having the rehearsal dinner at my parents house. They have a beautiful home and my stepdad makes a mean hamburger and amazing smoked chicken wings. Yum.


Our reception is at a four-star hotel overlooking the river, and I chose it because it needs almost no decoration. Probably just some candles and scattered rose petals.


We''re also skipping favors and programs. I''ve heard that no one takes them anyway.

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

You don''t have to be member to have a wedding at the Club-- and I think they have some decent winter rates. Their bar packages are kind of crummy, though (pay per drink).

Didn''t look at the Huntington/Ballroom, but have found Sammy''s to be a bit pricey (at least for Severance )

As far as photogs: Possibly Linczak Photography? I am familiar with one of the owners from high school, so I know he''s a good person. Prices are reasonable and pictures are gorgeous. BCR (pretty darn affordable), Easywind Studios, & Lindsey Beckwith are also high on the list & our alternatives. We also LOVED Genevieve Nisly, but packages are $$$$ (well over 3k for small packages with one photographer!). Linczak still seems to be the best deal for the quality/number of images.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I agree I have one of the wedding for under $5,000 books something like that..and it''s just not very useful 99% of the time I found.

-We changed the honeymoon location, right now we''ve booked Cancun instead of going to Hawaii. And we''re only going for 3 nights.
-We''re also using my parents serving set!!
-Bought super cheap flutes $20..but we''re actually not having any alcohol. We''re going to toast with what we have maybe some lemonade would be nice.
-Not planning on a limo as well.
-Trying to cut as much of favors as possible..thinking about doing charity donations instead of a candy bar.
-Down-sized bouquets and also used in season flowers as well as a lot of greenery which is beautiful and less expensive!
-Considering skipping programs.
-Our ceremony site will have pretty much zero decoration since it''s a garden.
-FI''s sister works at a tux store so we''re hoping to use her discount there.
-Went with the less expensive BM dresses which helped the BMs out and my Mom a.k.a MOH.
-Went with Kristy for save the dates and invites, she has pretty good prices in my opinion for such excellent work!
-Cutting the guest list to bare bones..must cut the list if possible!
-I am choosing a wedding band at the jewelry store my family deals with typically as opposed to going with the one I ultimately want to get one day. This one works better with my e-ring anyway.
-I bought my dress during an anniversary sale and got my veil for free (just had to pay to add blusher) and I also bought my shoes on sale.

Think that''s all, phew!