Dave didn't believe in doing a budget for our wedding, but I secretly set one up at a whopping $6,000! And....at two weeks before our wedding, we're only about $200 over. I think that's great. I know I spend a lot of money on other things that weren't necessary (makeup, clothes, gifts, etc.), but for the most part we're very close and I'm pleased with that. We created and printed our own Save-The-Date magnets, invitations and other stationary items. I bought very inexpensive shoes and a veil.
The rings were more money than we were expecting to pay, the personal chef was more than I had anticipated, and the dress alterations were a LOT more than I was prepared for, but I think it'll all be worth it in the end. Not tacky, not cheap, but just right.
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Checking Things Off
With 24 days to go, some items are getting done...others still waiting to be completed and checked off our list (now it's listS, plural!).
The chalet, the florist and the photographer had final balance checks sent yesterday, so we're good to go there. The rental company confirmed our rental chairs, tables, etc for the wedding is all paid for as well and our Planner-For-A-Day/Realtor, Patti will be picking everything up for us.
Also, our Justice of The Peace had to back out of our wedding so we were forced to find another one, with his help thankfully. So JOP Jim will be officiating our ceremony. My surprise gift for Dave is also up-in-the-air at the moment. May, or may not happen, but I tried.
I'm trying to stay out of the sun to avoid funky tan lines, but if I DO want to sit out in the sun, I'm wearing sunscreen and my bathing suit top because it's a halter and I'll avoid strange strap marks since my wedding dress is also a halter.
I pick up the dress at David's Bridal next Wednesday and hope the alterations are all set. They SHOULD be at that price!
The ring box is almost completed and we're trying our best to find the perfect "cord" to use for our handfasting ceremony. I need to fill the seed packets yet and I THINK we have our music for the ceremony and reception all set. We'll be using an iPod or laptop. I have created individual playlists for Pre-Ceremony, Processional, Recessional, Cocktail/Dinner, and Reception Dancing.
The only sad part is that my Aunt Connie will be unable to make the wedding. Her health is failing and she's been moved to a nursing home after several visits to hospitals and Dr's. She's battling cancer. She'll be 94 this Friday, but at least I know SHE knew I wanted her there, so I continue to take that with me and hopefully, if she's up for it, we can make a trip to visit her while we're in NY. I'm praying for that.
My time-off request is in for two weeks off from work, our reservations are set for the hotel in The Berkshires and the kitties are all booked at their little vacation home-away-from-home. Moving right along!!
The chalet, the florist and the photographer had final balance checks sent yesterday, so we're good to go there. The rental company confirmed our rental chairs, tables, etc for the wedding is all paid for as well and our Planner-For-A-Day/Realtor, Patti will be picking everything up for us.
Also, our Justice of The Peace had to back out of our wedding so we were forced to find another one, with his help thankfully. So JOP Jim will be officiating our ceremony. My surprise gift for Dave is also up-in-the-air at the moment. May, or may not happen, but I tried.
I'm trying to stay out of the sun to avoid funky tan lines, but if I DO want to sit out in the sun, I'm wearing sunscreen and my bathing suit top because it's a halter and I'll avoid strange strap marks since my wedding dress is also a halter.
I pick up the dress at David's Bridal next Wednesday and hope the alterations are all set. They SHOULD be at that price!
The ring box is almost completed and we're trying our best to find the perfect "cord" to use for our handfasting ceremony. I need to fill the seed packets yet and I THINK we have our music for the ceremony and reception all set. We'll be using an iPod or laptop. I have created individual playlists for Pre-Ceremony, Processional, Recessional, Cocktail/Dinner, and Reception Dancing.
The only sad part is that my Aunt Connie will be unable to make the wedding. Her health is failing and she's been moved to a nursing home after several visits to hospitals and Dr's. She's battling cancer. She'll be 94 this Friday, but at least I know SHE knew I wanted her there, so I continue to take that with me and hopefully, if she's up for it, we can make a trip to visit her while we're in NY. I'm praying for that.
My time-off request is in for two weeks off from work, our reservations are set for the hotel in The Berkshires and the kitties are all booked at their little vacation home-away-from-home. Moving right along!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Budget Ideas
Buy Wholesale
Buy your own wine wholesale. You'll pay your caterer a corkage fee to pour it, but wine purchased through him can cost twice as much.
Most merchants offer a 10 percent discount for buying wine by the case, and they'll often increase that if you purchase several cases at once.
Check into wine that's available in magnums (bottles twice the size of regular ones); several quality wines are. Wine sold in a magnum costs less per ounce, and because the corkage fee goes twice as far, you'll save on two counts.
Forgo Full Dinner Service
How dinner is served affects the price. French service, in which guests are served by waiters from a platter at the table, and regular plate service are the most expensive. More economical is family style, where diners help themselves from serving dishes brought to the table.
Champagne for Toasts Only
Instead of pouring Champagne all night long, serve just a single glass to each guest at the appropriate time to toast the bride and groom.
Select In-Season Flowers
While most popular bridal flowers are available year-round, some traditional ones -- peonies and lilies of the valley, for example -- can be difficult to find and expensive out of season. Seek your florist's advice before deciding on your flowers.
Arrange Fruit-Filled Centerpieces
Bowls or compotes filled with seasonal fruits from a farmer's market can take the place of expensive floral presentations.
More Flowers Can Cost Less
Don't overlook such floral standbys as daisies and carnations. They're available year-round, are quite affordable, and when arranged en masse make delightful centerpieces and bouquets.
Skip Reply Cards
Eliminate reply cards and have guests handwrite a note instead. You'll save on stationery and postage, and the responses will be great keepsakes.
Know Your Priorities
Prioritize aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. By compromising in some areas, you can afford to splurge on other.
Initiate an Officiant
There are many unexpected costs that can inflate your budget; an officiant can be one of them. If that's the case for you, consider having your vows administered by a trusted relative or friend. Universal Life Church (ulchq.com) and Esoteric Interfaith Church (northern way.org) are two organizations that "ordain" laypeople so they can officiate weddings, which most of the 50 states will recognize. Laws in a few states, such as Virginia, are strict, requiring officiants to be active in their ministry. To be sure you're in the clear, check with the county clerk about the laws where you'll be wed.
Focus on You
When it comes to your ceremony site, you don't need to deck the guest-book table and every pew with flowers. Get the most bloom for your buck by asking your florist to design two lush altarpieces, which will direct everyone's eyes exactly where you want them to be: on you and your groom.
Boycott Overpriced Bubbly
Technically, Champagne is sparkling wine that's from the Champagne region of France. But there are plenty of worldly competitors without the high price tag. Substitute with Cava, the Spanish take on Champagne, or Prosecco, from Italy, which is smoother, sweeter, and a better fit for a small budget. It's even true of French sparkling wine: "The least expensive bottle of Champagne we sell is $57," says Boutillier. "And Cremant, which is made the same way but isn't from Champagne, is $33.
SOURCE: Martha Stewart Weddins
Buy your own wine wholesale. You'll pay your caterer a corkage fee to pour it, but wine purchased through him can cost twice as much.
Most merchants offer a 10 percent discount for buying wine by the case, and they'll often increase that if you purchase several cases at once.
Check into wine that's available in magnums (bottles twice the size of regular ones); several quality wines are. Wine sold in a magnum costs less per ounce, and because the corkage fee goes twice as far, you'll save on two counts.
Forgo Full Dinner Service
How dinner is served affects the price. French service, in which guests are served by waiters from a platter at the table, and regular plate service are the most expensive. More economical is family style, where diners help themselves from serving dishes brought to the table.
Champagne for Toasts Only
Instead of pouring Champagne all night long, serve just a single glass to each guest at the appropriate time to toast the bride and groom.
Select In-Season Flowers
While most popular bridal flowers are available year-round, some traditional ones -- peonies and lilies of the valley, for example -- can be difficult to find and expensive out of season. Seek your florist's advice before deciding on your flowers.
Arrange Fruit-Filled Centerpieces
Bowls or compotes filled with seasonal fruits from a farmer's market can take the place of expensive floral presentations.
More Flowers Can Cost Less
Don't overlook such floral standbys as daisies and carnations. They're available year-round, are quite affordable, and when arranged en masse make delightful centerpieces and bouquets.
Skip Reply Cards
Eliminate reply cards and have guests handwrite a note instead. You'll save on stationery and postage, and the responses will be great keepsakes.
Know Your Priorities
Prioritize aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. By compromising in some areas, you can afford to splurge on other.
Initiate an Officiant
There are many unexpected costs that can inflate your budget; an officiant can be one of them. If that's the case for you, consider having your vows administered by a trusted relative or friend. Universal Life Church (ulchq.com) and Esoteric Interfaith Church (northern way.org) are two organizations that "ordain" laypeople so they can officiate weddings, which most of the 50 states will recognize. Laws in a few states, such as Virginia, are strict, requiring officiants to be active in their ministry. To be sure you're in the clear, check with the county clerk about the laws where you'll be wed.
Focus on You
When it comes to your ceremony site, you don't need to deck the guest-book table and every pew with flowers. Get the most bloom for your buck by asking your florist to design two lush altarpieces, which will direct everyone's eyes exactly where you want them to be: on you and your groom.
Boycott Overpriced Bubbly
Technically, Champagne is sparkling wine that's from the Champagne region of France. But there are plenty of worldly competitors without the high price tag. Substitute with Cava, the Spanish take on Champagne, or Prosecco, from Italy, which is smoother, sweeter, and a better fit for a small budget. It's even true of French sparkling wine: "The least expensive bottle of Champagne we sell is $57," says Boutillier. "And Cremant, which is made the same way but isn't from Champagne, is $33.
SOURCE: Martha Stewart Weddins
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Balloons vs. Flowers
Another good idea that would be a less-expensive option than all flowers for decorations is to use balloons. Preferably helium-quality ones.
Filling a room with flowers isn’t the only way to set the scene. Creatively displaying colorful balloons can also transform a space -- and for a fraction of what you’d spend on a large floral display. On average, a couple will spend 10 to 15 percent of their wedding budget on flowers. Imagine what else you could to do with all that cash you’ll save!
I think balloons are sounding a little better now.
Filling a room with flowers isn’t the only way to set the scene. Creatively displaying colorful balloons can also transform a space -- and for a fraction of what you’d spend on a large floral display. On average, a couple will spend 10 to 15 percent of their wedding budget on flowers. Imagine what else you could to do with all that cash you’ll save!
I think balloons are sounding a little better now.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Money Saving Tips
Reception:
-Cut the guest list. This will slash your catering costs and save on invitations and even the number of centerpieces.
-Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot -- it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour.
-Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.
Flowers:
-Use more greenery than flowers
-Swap out costly flowers -- did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?
-Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.
-Buy flowers that are in season
Food & Drink:
-Skip the main course -- apps and drinks are fine too
-Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.
Cake:
-Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).
-Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.
Stationary & Favors:
-Get single-page invites to save on postage.
- Email your save-the-dates.
SOURCE: TheKnot.com
-Cut the guest list. This will slash your catering costs and save on invitations and even the number of centerpieces.
-Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot -- it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour.
-Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.
Flowers:
-Use more greenery than flowers
-Swap out costly flowers -- did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?
-Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.
-Buy flowers that are in season
Food & Drink:
-Skip the main course -- apps and drinks are fine too
-Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.
Cake:
-Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).
-Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.
Stationary & Favors:
-Get single-page invites to save on postage.
- Email your save-the-dates.
SOURCE: TheKnot.com
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Money-Saving Tips
1) Throw a Tea Party
There's no rule that says weddings must be held on Saturday evenings. Providing an afternoon spread of tea sandwiches and sparkling wine is a sophisticated alternative to the typical dinner reception. Save even more money by scheduling it on a Sunday.
2) Cheat With Sheets
Here's how to have your pretty cake and afford it, too. Buy sheet cakes (ours are from Whole Foods Market) in whatever size and shape you like, and stack them yourself. Use standard cake dowels, available at baking-supply stores, to keep layers from collapsing, then decorate with thick chocolate shavings or fresh flowers and fruit.
3)Keep it Bottled
"One of the hugest wastes of money is the Champagne toast: Fifty percent of people won't touch it, and 25 percent have a sip just because it's there," says planner Cianci. Her advice: Keep the bubbly at the bar to serve anyone who asks for it.
SOURCE: MarthaStewartWeddings.com
There's no rule that says weddings must be held on Saturday evenings. Providing an afternoon spread of tea sandwiches and sparkling wine is a sophisticated alternative to the typical dinner reception. Save even more money by scheduling it on a Sunday.
2) Cheat With Sheets
Here's how to have your pretty cake and afford it, too. Buy sheet cakes (ours are from Whole Foods Market) in whatever size and shape you like, and stack them yourself. Use standard cake dowels, available at baking-supply stores, to keep layers from collapsing, then decorate with thick chocolate shavings or fresh flowers and fruit.
3)Keep it Bottled
"One of the hugest wastes of money is the Champagne toast: Fifty percent of people won't touch it, and 25 percent have a sip just because it's there," says planner Cianci. Her advice: Keep the bubbly at the bar to serve anyone who asks for it.
SOURCE: MarthaStewartWeddings.com
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