So many brides are opting for the DIY route, when planning their wedding day. In this economy, it's no wonder!
OK, so uncle Harry has some skill with a camera, and your sisters boyfriend has a lot of music CDs and a nice home stereo. Your next door neighbor knows how to cook for the group at church, and you mom can bake a cake. Your BFF is going out with a florist, and Grampa George has a 1968 Cadillac limo behind the garage. Your next door neighbor works at the local VFW, and gets a discount on the reception room, and Ginger at work, is pretty good with a hair brush and eye liner.
Looks like your all set for your $2000 wedding. Problem is... the national average of a normal wedding is over $30,000 (yes, that's thirty thousand). So, how are you going to pull this off? That question has plagued brides for ages... and there is no simple answer. Can you do a $2000 DIY wedding that will rival the full blown 30K event?
That depends, but probably not (better to elope to Vegas). But if you insist... Simply put, if you're willing to do your homework, and put in a LOT of work yourself, then you might get close... but only "close".
That total budget includes some of the following (in order):
1)Venue and food, which normally includes 45% of the total budget (National average based on past wedding feedback).
2) Photography (or videography) is 14% (more if you have both).
3) Honeymoon is 14%
4) Dress/Tux/Hair/Makeup is 11%.
5) Cake is 10%
6) Transportation and attendant gifts is 10%
7) Flowers and Decor is 9%
8) Musical Entertainment (DJ... a band is more) is 9%
9) Rings are 4%
10) Ceremony/Officiant is 3%
11) Stationary/cards is 3%
12) Misc. is 3%
So, what are you willing to do without? That's what this really boils down to, isn't it? Let's start at the top of the list. If you dig, you might be able to find a nice outdoor park with a covered shelter for really cheap, but you'll have to deal with picnicers and dogs, and rain and bugs... you get the picture. Many churches will provide the basement for free or very little... as long as you completely clean it up and put everything away before you leave.
You're local VFW is probably the best bet for brides on a budget, but you're going to be asked to use their catering staff, so tell your next door neighbor that she can relax. Calculate at least $10 a plate for all of your guests. I've actually heard of BOAB (brides on a budget) who have had the reception at McDonald's... OK. The way to trim this expense, is to invite fewer guests (SOOO many brides overlook this cost saving aspect, since they want the event to be "special"). Don't forget to have a "closed bar".
I've been to weddings where there is an instamatic camera on every table, and guests are asked to shoot pictures themselves. Sounds good, but you'll discover that you have a lot of pictures of little Charlie drooling, and aunt Betty drinking too much, and dancing on the table (yes, it really happens). High quality photos are expensive to plan and compose, as well as edit post production... but, what is the first thing most people grab when there's a house fire? Yep, pictures, guess you shouldn't skimp there.
You can save a ton of money by driving to the local hotel for the night and forgo that cruise until you're 30 or so, and can afford it (yes, that is sarcastic). Many couples simply go to an event center or resort with reception rooms, and stay there for the weekend. But, that takes a big chunk out of that $2000 budget (get mom and dad to pay for it).
Seriously, you can save money by simply wearing a pretty dress (e-bay wedding dress is a great route to take, but you may have to have it altered), and the groom can wear a suit. If Ginger does your hair and makeup, be sure to give her a nice gift card or dinner coupon.
Isle 9 at Walmart is the best place to get the cake mix and frosting. Michael's will supply you with the tiers and decorations for your cake. Frosting flowers... ummm not so much. You can make a great cake yourself, but give the project two days, and be ready to do it twice, in case you mess it up (you will). I'd suggest a trial run with the cake a few weeks ahead. That will give you an idea of what the "real" cake will turn out like.
You can save a lot of money by having Grampa George take you to the reception from the wedding, in his Cadillac. I've seen a horse drawn hay wagon used for this, and it can be a lot of fun... and cheap. A cinderella carriage can be spendy, however.
Flowers and decorations - go with Walmart again (or the $ store)... nuff said.
Musical entertainment - How much would you like your guests to remember this evening? A well known National wedding magazine did a survey of brides, who overwhelmingly said thay would have spent much more on their entertainment, if they had know how the DIY event was going to turn out. Actually, it was over 80% of the brides surveyed. That iPod might sound like a great idea, but many folks simply won't get up and dance to iPod music, running through a home stereo. Plus, everyone will play with an iPod and want to put their music "up next". And, you'll discover that they all talked about it after the fact... and it's not going to be complimentary.
Rings - One word... Walmart.
Invites can be done by hand. Make sure to pick up some embossing tools at Michael's and get some card stock. Make out a pattern and design, and run the cards through your home printer... you can also try "vistaprint" for good printing at a reasonable price.
There are a lot of "officiants" now, who do very cheap weddings... but be user to check their credentials. Many are getting them "Online" through the Internet, and some don't stand up in court for legal reasons. Check them out first. Of course, you local priest or minister might give you a deal if you go to their church. But, you still have to figure a couple hundred for them (and be sure to invite the officiant and his/her spouse to dinner).
So, there is a very quick synopsis of how to pull off a budget wedding. Even at all of the bottom of the cost chart, you're still at well over $3000. You can shorten your guest list and save a lot more, but that's a very hard thing to do for most couples... tread carefully on that one.
This is an event that you want to share with everyone in "your world" and you're only going to do this ONCE... don't you want to do it right the first time? Do your homework to do the proper DIY event, and be REALISTIC!
