Bride on A Budget (7,000.00 WEDDING CHALLENGE)

[Kaiden1215]

Originally Posted by mrsbrowntobe 

 

I love this thread. I am doing whatever it takes to stay around 6,000-7,000 dollars. I chose an off peak time in Jamaica and I am going with the free package. Not sure what I plan on bringing for decorates (aisle, dinner, chairs) but I want to keep it minimal. After all, the reasons for destination for me were stress-free (as possible), less planning, cheaper and I get to have a holiday with my family and friends since we live in a different province.

 

I created my own luggage tags for STDs on Word and am going to print them on card stock, attach a polka dot ribbon, and viola. I have decided to send out STD with our wedding date & time, resort, and "for further details and to RSVP visit our wedding website..." I know that some people see invitations as being very important, and that's fine, but I personally see them as a waste of time and money. The website will have all the information that my potential guests will require. I know people worry about pleasing relatives who won't be able to attend. I am sending my STDs to EVERYONE and on our welcome page on our site, I included a blurb about the guests who can't make it. We will take a moment on our special day to reflect on all of the important relationships in our lives, and I want you all to know that you will be in our thoughts. Something along those lines.

 

I want to go super casual for my boys and will probably get their outfits from Old Navy, as a friend of mine did who married in Cuba last year. She waited until the end of the season sale to order the shirts and sandals. I want to rider my dress and BM dresses from one of those China Made online dress sites, but am a little nervous. Did anyone else do this?

 

Any more tips would be awesome. Happy budget wise planning!

Mrsbrowntobe:

 

You have some good ideas and sounds like you should definitely be able to keep your budget under 7k. Which resort in Jamaica did you choose? I know a lot of people who have used dress makers from china and I can definitely share the info. Send me a private message for more info. The STD idea is a very good one. I am doing STD and invitations because I really wanted the passport invitations and since we are not inviting too many people I was able to keep it within the budget.

[Kaiden1215]

Originally Posted by TiarraBeautyJ 

 

Hi Kaiden!!! 

 

I am having my wedding at the Barcelo Palace Resort located in the Riviera Maya area. I am doing pretty well with staying on budget. So far I am calculating 3600. This of course does not include photography, I have been going back and forth trying to find the perfect photographer. I would like to spend the bulk of my budget on Photography because this gives me the everlasting photos I will need. I would love to share our journey and ideas to each other. And you should be fine with an 8,000 budget. I can not see myself spending 20,000 on one day. Although is is very important I do think you can have a wonderful wedding at an affordable price. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Tiarra J

Tiarra,

 

That's Great! I too am staying on budget but seems I am at a higher cost than most people. Could you share your budget breakdown? I am currently coming in at around $6600 for everything including photography. This is for about 30 ppl including my self and FH. I am sure I can get it lower if I change my centerpieces but I am stuck on wanting a certain centerpiece that is EXPENSIVE!!! Sigh! Luckily I only need 4. Another option to lower cost that I have been thinking about is items that I can resell afterwords. Easy way to make some of your money back.

[TiarraBeautyJ]

Originally Posted by mrsbrowntobe 

 

I love this thread. I am doing whatever it takes to stay around 6,000-7,000 dollars. I chose an off peak time in Jamaica and I am going with the free package. Not sure what I plan on bringing for decorates (aisle, dinner, chairs) but I want to keep it minimal. After all, the reasons for destination for me were stress-free (as possible), less planning, cheaper and I get to have a holiday with my family and friends since we live in a different province.

 

I created my own luggage tags for STDs on Word and am going to print them on card stock, attach a polka dot ribbon, and viola. I have decided to send out STD with our wedding date & time, resort, and "for further details and to RSVP visit our wedding website..." I know that some people see invitations as being very important, and that's fine, but I personally see them as a waste of time and money. The website will have all the information that my potential guests will require. I know people worry about pleasing relatives who won't be able to attend. I am sending my STDs to EVERYONE and on our welcome page on our site, I included a blurb about the guests who can't make it. We will take a moment on our special day to reflect on all of the important relationships in our lives, and I want you all to know that you will be in our thoughts. Something along those lines.

 

I want to go super casual for my boys and will probably get their outfits from Old Navy, as a friend of mine did who married in Cuba last year. She waited until the end of the season sale to order the shirts and sandals. I want to rider my dress and BM dresses from one of those China Made online dress sites, but am a little nervous. Did anyone else do this?

 

Any more tips would be awesome. Happy budget wise planning!

Hi!! Welcome to the thread! 

 

Wow that is excellent; I feel the same way I feel as though wedding invitations are not that important...think about it most people are going to just throw them away anyways. I included the same information on my wedding website. For family that are not able to make it; I expressed my kind regards and will still post pictures and information for them. That is a really nice way you put it!!! I love it. At the end of the day we can not stress about who is able to attend and who are not able to attend; we have a wedding to plan. 

 

Old Navy is a great place I am too using that idea for my fiance and his groomsmen. I would not order my bridesmaid dresses from those online stores; me personally I am sticking to the 99.00 David Bridal BM dresses. 

 

Wedding Paper Divas is where my fiance and I made our wedding website. I would recommend using them!!! It is super easy and simple. 

[TiarraBeautyJ]

Hi Ladies,

 

Here is my actual budget breakdown

 

Resort Wedding Package: 2,200.00 

Flight: 950.56

Accommodations: 820.00

Photography: 1200.00

Makeup: 380.00

SAVE THE DATES/INVITES: 30.00

Videography: 700.00

 

 

MY TOTAL= 6280.00

GUEST COUNT = 25

LOCATION= BARCELO MAYA PALACE 

[Kaiden1215]

Sounds great. Mine is similar.

 

Budget Break Down: $8500

Accommodations/Travel:$2400 (includes flight)

*( room credit for promo book 5 rooms get 6^th room free. Value: $1610)

 

Devine Wedding Package: $3000

 

Photography: $860 (just paying for travel costs flight and resort for 4 nights)

*(Credit again for promo book 5 rooms get 6^th room free. Value: $920)

 

Extra Food over 25ppl: (5 extra) $300

Set-Up Fees: $100 (approximate)

Tiffany Chairs (30): $270

Extra Décor:$588 (ie: tablecloths, table décor, etc)

Bride/Groom Attire: $600

Stationary: $300 (STD, invite, Menu cards, Table Numbers)

 

Total before Credits: $8418

Total after free room credits: $5888

[TiarraBeautyJ]

Hey Ladies,

 

One of my budget saving tips is instead of having an open bar during cocktail hour.....check to see if the resort will allow you to choose your own specialty drink or cocktail to serve to your guest. It will save you some cash!!!!! 

[AnaSteele58]

Hi ladies! To save money we are having our cocktail hour credited toward extra plates for dinner. We have more people than our Devine package includes. For the actual cocktail hour we are having our guest grab a drink at the bar. If you ladies decide to do this, make sure you have it in writing. My wedding isn't until 2015 but I have that deal in writing. I'm also using parasols for the BMs and using the bouquet credits for my centerpieces. Happy Planning!

[Kaiden1215]

Originally Posted by AnaSteele58 

 

Hi ladies! To save money we are having our cocktail hour credited toward extra plates for dinner. We have more people than our Devine package includes. For the actual cocktail hour we are having our guest grab a drink at the bar. If you ladies decide to do this, make sure you have it in writing. My wedding isn't until 2015 but I have that deal in writing. I'm also using parasols for the BMs and using the bouquet credits for my centerpieces.

 

Happy Planning!

Anna,

 

That is a good tip for cost savings. Are you getting married at Now Jade?

[AnaSteele58]

Anna, That is a good tip for cost savings. Are you getting married at Now Jade?

Most likely. We have a date set there and Dreams Riviera Cancun. We are leaning towards them because the package includes more people.

[Kaiden1215]

I agree. The amount of people included in the package was definitely a plus for me also. Which package are you leaning towards. I am leaning towards the devine package.