Low key yet lovely wedding ideas

[Anonymous]

Inevitably someone will tell you to conceal the fact that the event is a wedding when you're hiring vendors, because vendors sometimes charge more for weddings. Do not do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your circumstances. Do you have friends who can sew you a dress, do your makeup, put together centerpieces, etc? Is anyone an event planner, or a caterer, and can procure things at cost? If yes, that’s your way to save.

If not, and you’ll be hiring everything out, the main way to save is to completely get rid of an idea that you’ll be able to produce an event unlike any other on a shoestring budget. I can guarantee you that your unique ideas will create headaches for the professionals and cause them to raise the price. Tell your vendors that you are trying to save money and listen carefully to their suggestions. They know what makes their lives easier and costs them less so they can pass on the savings to you.

Sewing a dress takes days for a basic dress or weeks for a more elaborate dress. The materials and fabric cost more than the total cost of a similar mass produced in a chinese sweatshop dress.

Don't cheap out if you are asking a seamstress to sew a custom dress for you.

If you are going for a cheap dress, buy something off the rack.

[Anonymous]

Have a church wedding and spend the money on the reception like we used to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inevitably someone will tell you to conceal the fact that the event is a wedding when you're hiring vendors, because vendors sometimes charge more for weddings. Do not do this.

Agree, it can void the contract.

Also, yes there is a wedding markup but the expectations really are higher for say a wedding photographer than the same person taking a couple pix at some boring corporate event.

[Anonymous]

I got married in the fall, in a private garden, and we had a dinner at a beautiful old inn. It was pretty, small and great. Did not use any vendors at all.

[Anonymous]

If you can marry on a Sunday, Friday, or holiday Monday you’ll save quite a bit. Holiday mondays are tricky and some guests will hate that, so know your guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your circumstances. Do you have friends who can sew you a dress, do your makeup, put together centerpieces, etc? Is anyone an event planner, or a caterer, and can procure things at cost? If yes, that’s your way to save.

If not, and you’ll be hiring everything out, the main way to save is to completely get rid of an idea that you’ll be able to produce an event unlike any other on a shoestring budget. I can guarantee you that your unique ideas will create headaches for the professionals and cause them to raise the price. Tell your vendors that you are trying to save money and listen carefully to their suggestions. They know what makes their lives easier and costs them less so they can pass on the savings to you.

Sewing a dress takes days for a basic dress or weeks for a more elaborate dress. The materials and fabric cost more than the total cost of a similar mass produced in a chinese sweatshop dress.

Don't cheap out if you are asking a seamstress to sew a custom dress for you.

If you are going for a cheap dress, buy something off the rack.

+1. Knowing how to sew a wedding dress involves quite a bit of time and skill, even a simple pattern sewn with the kind of fabrics used in wedding dresses (silk or satin type material) needs some knowhow. Wouldnt ask anyone to do that unless its a very close family member or near family. Add in the fact that the fabric would cost almost or more than buying something off the rack made overseas. All other things - putting together centerpieces, baked goods, party food - need skills too but not to that extent and the money savings are worth it. Not so with a wedding dress

[Anonymous]

I went to a lovely wedding recently where the family had thrifted vases and filled them with Trader Joe's flowers for the table centerpieces. There were a lot of other homey touches, but that one stands out.

I think a good DJ is great, but I've seen people just appoint someone to run the playlists.

And opting for casual food (but still good food!) is another way to save. I feel like wedding venues still serve very heavy '80s food, and that's not really what people want nowadays.

[Anonymous]

If your family has talented musicians, they can sing at the service (usually -- sometimes Catholics are strict about having one of the church's regular musicians sing) or, like, play guitar at a cocktail hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a lovely wedding recently where the family had thrifted vases and filled them with Trader Joe's flowers for the table centerpieces. There were a lot of other homey touches, but that one stands out.

I think a good DJ is great, but I've seen people just appoint someone to run the playlists.

And opting for casual food (but still good food!) is another way to save. I feel like wedding venues still serve very heavy '80s food, and that's not really what people want nowadays.

Sure but on DJ recognize that even at venues (and especially for some casual outdoor or nontraditional space) the DJ is bringing speakers and a setup and running AV tech. It's not like just a playlist unless you're not planning on really dancing etc. Obviously someone amateur can do it but needs equipment and know-how.

[Anonymous]

Elope

[Anonymous]

Limit your guest list and things will get much easier.