Posts Tagged ‘Tight Budget’

We are planning a reception for about 90 people in September, and would like something with more character than a boring hall, but we are on a tight budget. Any ideas??

try these locations:

Gate Street Barn at http://www.wedding-venues.co.uk/gatestreetbarn

The Chase Lodge Hotel at http://www.chaselodgehotel.com/functions.html

Bury Court Barn at http://burycourtbarn.co.uk/

Technorati Tags: Budget Wedding, Chase Lodge, Lodge Hotel, People, Surrey, Tight Budget, Wedding Reception, Wedding Venues

So all the weddings I’ve been to, or even ones that I’ve heard about (like friends of friends) have all cost between $15,000 and $30,000. Which I understand is about "average". They’ve all been your traditional affairs (although some had a private ceremony) with cocktail hours, open bars, djs, dancing, etc. Pretty much everything you think of when you hear "wedding"

In most cases though, the parents are paying for these things. In my case that is not an option. We’d be paying for it ourselves, and the most I think we could handle is about $5,000. Which is what some people will spend on just a photographer for a wedding! Anyway, we were considering having the private ceremony (for reasons besides cost, the idea of standing in front of all those people taking vows sounds traumatizing – i don’t do well with things like that and i think it should be an intimate thing anyway), but for the reception we were thinking about a dinner at a restaurant. Taking out a room in a restaurant and having about 60 people there for dinner. We could probably do a nice restaurant, on a saturday night even, with apps and a full hot meal and cake, with maybe some drinks or a beer/wine type option. But that’d be it. It wouldn’t be your traditional dj and dancing type party.

So, my question is, is it even worth it? Will people be disappointed – like "oh that’s it?" or "how boring"? Has anyone gone to a wedding like that or hosted one yourself? I feel like doing something like this, it’s not about being "my day", i’d be perfectly happy taking the 5k and taking a nice vacay to europe or putting it towards our future! but, it’d be a way to thank our friends and family for being there and to celebrate with them and do something for them. But if people are going to be disappointed then what’s the point. I, personally, think it would still be fun. And I know it’s true how they say you can’t please everyone all the time. So please, let me know what you think if you’ve gone to or done a wedding on a tight budget and what you thought.
Messykat – Oh! I love that idea!

I have a fairly large family, so about 30 people are my family, 20 his family, and maybe 10 or so friends. Close people – uncles/aunts/cousins we see often and our closest friends.

Luna,

First of all….congratulations on your engagement!

Second….why are you putting yourself down? The question…."is it worth doing?" Well, of course it is!

Third….I will tell you a little story. My very favorite ALL-TIME wedding was a small wedding (about 30 guests…all family). It was planned in two-weeks time (due to a minister leaving on an extended vacation). But, the bride wore a beautiful simple gown; the groom a nice tux; we had a catered meal at a family members home; family did the pictures; there were flowers; music; and cake! This was my all-time favorite wedding because it had everything you needed: a beautiful bride; a handsome groom; family; food; drinks and cake! And….this was NOT done on a budget. The bride’s family had lots of money. But, it was done the way THEY wanted. All total, I bet they did this under $2K.

What you are planning sounds absolutely FANTASTIC to me! To be honest, if you play your cards right, you may even be able to come in under $5K. Look at David’s Bridal for a dress; have family do the pictures, etc.

Do NOT feel bad about this. Again, it sounds lovely to me. And, to be honest, I would LOVE to go to a wedding/reception like this. All the ones I go to are the ones you described in your opening paragraph. I would love to go to something smaller, more intimate.

Again, you ask….."is it worth it?" Well, of course it is! The end result….whether you spend $5K or $50K is that the couple is married at the end of the day. Period.

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Technorati Tags: Apps, Beer Wine, Cocktail Hours, Dancing Type, Drinks, Friends And Family, Nice Restaurant, Open Bars, People Photographer, Photographer Wedding, Plea, Private Ceremony, Saturday Night, Tight Budget, Traumatizing, Type Option, Vacay, vows, Weddings, Wine Type

According to popular saying, the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and funnily enough, it’s the same thing as well for wedding guests. If you want to have satisfaction guaranteed for all your guests, here are several wedding reception food ideas to make them too full to complain.

1. Wedding Reception Food Ideas for Breakfast – If you’re on a tight budget then make sure that you schedule your wedding early in the morning to take advantage of a brunch wedding reception. To prevent your guests from feeling that they’ve got the shorter end of the stick however, consider taking the best slices from various breakfast cuisines: beans from the English, eclairs from general Europe, bacon from the States, and Trahina soup with katiki cheese from the Greeks.

2. Wedding Reception Food Ideas for Lunch – If you’re having a noon reception, it must be something heavier and lighter than what you’ll serve for breakfast and dinner respectively. Pasta and elaborate salads are favorite items for this type of event.

3. Wedding Reception Food Ideas for Dinner – This is the grandest of all receptions so you’ll definitely need a large budget to meet the expectations of your guests. Serving wine is de rigeur but if you can’t afford at least a 5 year old wine then consider serving cocktails instead.

4. Wedding Reception Food Ideas for Buffet – To prevent your guests from waiting in queues to reach the buffet table, allow them to have two points of access to the table. Consider setting up another buffet table as well to further minimize discomfort and delay. And if there’s no chance to prevent long lines, consider hiring jugglers and other performers to entertain guests while they’re waiting for their turn. Lastly, make sure that children, the elderly and handicapped are served at their table.

5. Wedding Reception Food Ideas for Various Courses – If you’re going to serve your guests with a multiple-course meal, make sure that you have all the guests RSVP before a specified time about their preferences. This will allow you to prepare the appropriate number of dishes and consider special diets of vegetarians, diabetics, and the likes.

Albert Lee
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/wedding-reception-5-food-ideas-to-please-wedding-guests-127525.html

Technorati Tags: Bacon, Brunch, Buffet Table, Cheese, Cocktails, De Rigeur, Eclairs, Greeks, Jugglers, Lunch, Pasta, Queues, Reception Food, receptions, Salads, Serving Wine, Stomach, Tight Budget, Wedding Guests, Wedding Reception Food Ideas

I am marrying a man in the Army. He will be returning from Iraq at about the beginning of October. We want to have the wedding a couple weeks after he gets back. We can’t set a date yet, because of the fact that we don’t know what date he will for sure be back. I have to plan everything around that though, until I can find out. I was just wondering if anyone had some tips to help me out. Oh, and I have to try to keep this as cheap as possibly, but elegant. Any advice?

Your biggest difficulties are going to be the officiant and the venue. Because you’re basically going to be going on a 2 – 4 week notice, you’re going to need somewhere you don’t have to worry about booking (ie. a backyard), and if you don’t have a pastor/minister/reverend (whatever), then maybe have one of your friends become ordained to perform weddings in your state (I’m assuming you’re american…??). This way, they’ll more likely be available on short notice. If you do have a religious officiant, then talk to them soon, and just let them know the situation and how short notice there may be. Most will be understanding, and will try to keep themselves available for you.

If you decide to do it in a backyard, there’s a lot of nice, simple things you can do for decorations that can be set up and taken down easily. Get one of those pre-lit arches (mine cost $30CDN on sale), and wrap some tulle around it. That would work great for the actual ceremony. Chinese lanterns are also quick and easy, and can be obtained fairly cheaply.

Food is going to be another issue – you might want to consider a potluck or something really simple. Again, you’re working with an unknown timeline, so it’s hard to invite guests and tell them when in advance… For this, you might want to set up a website and do e-invites and phone calls to let everyone know when & where.

Favours can definitely be done ahead of time, as well as your dress. Check out the sales.

Just remember to relax, and remember that no matter what happens, by the end of the day you’ll be married to your man, and that’s all that’s really important.

Technorati Tags: advice, Amp, arches, Army, Chinese Lanterns, Couple Weeks, Lot, Officiant, Planning A Wedding, Planning Wedding, Potluck, Returning From Iraq, Reverend, Six Months, Tight Budget, timeline, Tulle, Venue, Weddings

My brother is trying to get married in two months. They are worried about rain so are looking for an inside wedding. They are also on a tight budget though and are having around 175 people. Where do we go for a low budget but lots of people in a short amount of time>???? Please-someone help!!!

Where are you???

Technorati Tags: Amount Of Time, Brother, Low Budget, Rain, Tight Budget, Weddings