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1/25/2009 6:22:30 PM

totally random. but i was watching "say yes to the dress" about klinefelds in nyc. so i started browsing their collection and i'm in love with this dress:

1/25/2009 11:15:50 PM

i like this one

http://kleinfeldbridal.com/index.cfm?pid=52&item_id=11021&rowid=28&page=2

1/26/2009 8:03:26 AM

I got my garters off http://www.thegartermaker.net today and our ring bearer pillow on etsy

1/26/2009 2:31:18 PM

Quote :

""

Beautiful. This is the first dress I've seen where I like that style of skirt.

1/26/2009 4:27:24 PM

^Gorgeous. I would totally have chosen that one. I love the off-the-shoulder style.

Not that I don't LOVE my dress. It's perfect. I wish I could post a picture, but my fiance frequents TWW more than I do.

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 4:44 PM. Reason : ]

1/26/2009 4:43:33 PM

Quote :

"I wish I could post a picture, but my fiance frequents TWW more than I do."

1/26/2009 4:48:30 PM

http://www.scarboroughfarecatering.com/

My friend is using them for her wedding at Duke Gardens. NCSU alum, reasonably priced, and has been really flexible working with her. Now we'll see in September if the food is any good

1/28/2009 1:48:28 AM

so we knew we had a limited budget being provided by either of our parents (no drama, we all get along - just simple lack of money) but we just found out yesterday we literally have $0 sooooo, what kind of wedding can we plan for like $1000?

1/28/2009 7:48:31 AM

you can do a lot of diy things, which can be a lot of fun or extremely stressful, depending on how organized you and your bride are..

i spend a lot of time on craftster.org and you might find this page helpful, it's a crafty wedding forum page http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=97.0

it's a lot to kind of weed through, and a lot of the pics are blocked on our work computers but if you're patient you can find all kinds of good advice, examples and tutorials from people that did A LOT of diy for their wedding.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 8:02 AM. Reason : our work computers.. gah..]

1/28/2009 8:00:13 AM

We have a small budget too (<$5k). This is what we're doing, but you could probably shave money off of this even. This is for 100 people.

My brother in law is cooking the food, so price for 100 people should be <$500. That will include BBQ pork and BBQ Chicken, green beans, stewed potatoes, rolls, champagne punch, a cheese and cracker spread, and a fruit tower. Honestly, I couldnt' stand paying out the ass for some catering service to provide food that I know isn't as good as my BiL's.

We're getting our plates from Sam's Club, "mock china" 175 plates for $25. Silverware is $20.

Our flowers are coming from a Piggly Wiggly. I know that sounds weird, but she did my sister's wedding and it was incredible. She got all the bouquets (6), corsages(8), boutoniers(7), ceremony flowers and reception decor for $200. We have half as many attendants my sister did, so our cost should be around $150.

Our invitations are from Michaels. We printed them ourselves, and they turned out great. Total cost for 75 invitations was ~$40 after a 40% off coupon Michaels sends out ever month. I bought blank seating cards and did the calligraphy on the names myself. I'm making the favors (chocolate sea shells).

It's totally doable to have a cheap wedding and have it still be nice. Some of the costs we aren't running into are church fees and transportation fees. We're doing it outside at our reception site (which is gorgeous and $200 for the whole day). We got 100 free chairs for the ceremony, and bought an arbor (again from Michaels).

Music and food tend to be the big expenses. We're spending $1000 on a string quartet. But with what we saved elsewhere in our budget, it was possible.

I'll post pictures when it's done, so you guys can see that we didn't go with cheap stuff, just inexpensive stuff.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 8:09 AM. Reason : ]

1/28/2009 8:07:41 AM

Quote :

"what kind of wedding can we plan for like $1000? "

Vegas

Quote :

"We have a small budget too (<$5k)."

WTF? $5k is not a small amount of money.

1/28/2009 9:27:48 AM

for a wedding... and comparatively speaking... yes, $5k is a small budget.

1/28/2009 9:31:48 AM

^A very small amount. She's right.

1/28/2009 9:35:46 AM

Quote :

"you can do a lot of diy things, which can be a lot of fun or extremely stressful, depending on how organized you and your bride are.. i spend a lot of time on craftster.org and you might find this page helpful, it's a crafty wedding forum page http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=97.0 it's a lot to kind of weed through, and a lot of the pics are blocked on our work computers but if you're patient you can find all kinds of good advice, examples and tutorials from people that did A LOT of diy for their wedding."

thanks! as far as organization we are polar opposites. guess who the organized one is (hint its not me). we're prob going to end up doing it at her church since it is going to be super cheap to rent out for the time slot. they have also offered a room there for the reception but having both at her small church seems kinda lame? /shrug I mean we arent going to have an open bar or anything anyways, i just would kind of like a change of scenery for the reception. We also want to plan it so that the reception is not an actual meal and so we can get lighter food and hopefully less expensive catering. we do have possibly more money to spend than that $1000 we are also saving for a house, the honeymoon, and wanting to keep some set aside with the way the economy is.

1/28/2009 9:45:34 AM

i know this is completely off topic.. but i was poking around on the craftster website some more and someone made a pedobear costume..

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=288773.0

1/28/2009 10:00:12 AM

Quote :

"for a wedding... and comparatively speaking... yes, $5k is a small budget."

Damn, you women have no guilt about blowing that much on a single fucking day that has a 50% chance of eventually ending badly? To do everything the bf and I would want, would be a grand. Going all out would be $2k. We'll probably skip the hassle and elope with no "reception" later, if it happens.

1/28/2009 10:09:03 AM

You already know you're quite atypical, so why do you think your budget and expectations are relevant here?

Stop judging people by what you want or what you would do.

1/28/2009 10:10:39 AM

the alcohol alone at our wedding cost more than $2k...and we were able to provide it ourselves.

1/28/2009 10:10:39 AM

Seriously, the average wedding costs between $20k and $30k.

1/28/2009 10:13:26 AM

jeebus, thats crazy. youre prob right though.

Even if we had a budget and her parents could pay for it I cant imagine us going over $5k even having everything we would want. But we're both "coupon clippers" and arent really interested in having much alcohol there either which helps the budget im sure.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:17 AM. Reason : ]

1/28/2009 10:14:41 AM

Quote :

"You already know you're quite atypical, so why do you think your budget and expectations are relevant here? Stop judging people by what you want or what you would do."

If you REALLY loved someone, why not elope and put that $10k in the bank? With compound interest it could mean retiring a year early. Wouldn't you prefer spending a whole year with them over a single "fantasy princess day" that the guy doesn't really get anything out of?

1/28/2009 10:15:20 AM

You'd be surprised at how much things cost as soon as you mention wedding.

Like cakes tend to start at $4 a slice, minimum 100 slices. You could get around this by making the cake yourself, or using a small display cake and having sheet cakes to serve.

We aren't paying for photography (my aunt is a photographer), but you can expect several thousand for a GOOD photography, and several hundred for an amateur.

Once you start asking around, you'll see how much all of this really costs. You CAN do it for cheaper, it's just going to be hard.

^As to eloping--that was an option for us. My Dad said whatever we didn't use on a wedding, we could keep for ourselves, and he would support an elopment, or a wedding, no matter what. But it's just too important for the rest of our family that they can share the moment with us. We aren't selfish enough to take that away from them for $5k.

And it's pretty naive to say the guy doesn't get anything out of the wedding.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM. Reason : ]

1/28/2009 10:17:47 AM

Quote :

"the alcohol alone at our wedding cost more than $2k...and we were able to provide it ourselves."

That's one area it's ok to spend on. A couple of kegs, selection of nice liquors

I still wouldn't want anything huge, and my extended family does not drink so that cuts it way down (if they'd even show up, doubt they would and that'd be even better).

Quote :

"Like cakes tend to start at $4 a slice, minimum 100 slices. You could get around this by making the cake yourself, or using a small display cake and having sheet cakes to serve."

a typical wedding cake is too cliche. I could make an etched tiered acrylic stand at work for about $20 (laser cutter is awesome). I can't eat wheat, so cheesecake and wheat free cupcakes at the top, wheaty crap on the bottom and a sheet cake. There is a creative and inexpensive solution to every problem. Helps that the BF's mom is a dietitian and would want to make the cupcakes so they wouldn't make me sick.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:25 AM. Reason : ...]

1/28/2009 10:18:39 AM

Quote :

"If you REALLY loved someone, why not elope and put that $10k in the bank? "

because we wanted to share the experience with friends and family. i had no problems with spending $20k+ on our wedding. it was by far the best day of my life. i realize we could have had as much fun for cheaper, but there's nothing wrong with splurging every now and again....i cant think of any material things i would have rather had in exchange. we both make good money, and we already had a house. most of our guests were also from out of town, so we really wanted the trip to be worthwhile for them.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM. Reason : y]

1/28/2009 10:20:25 AM

^ i like your post.

whatever, i plan on paying for the majority of my wedding so i figure i can do whatever the fuck i want, and if i want to blow 20 grand, then so be it.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:24 AM. Reason : ]

1/28/2009 10:21:57 AM

1/28/2009 10:23:21 AM

at weddings, typically people spend the most money on receptions.

sure, there are other aspects that cost $texas like the photographer and flowers, but consider throwing a party where you provide hor d'oeuvres and alcohol for 50 people with entertainment, decorations, and a venue. this party alone would run $5k on the cheap side.

$10k to $15k is quite reasonable when you toss in the typical wedding stuff.

we had a dessert reception (cheap compared to a dinner receptions or hot finger food) at the church where we are both members (so no venue costs or alcohol). the wedding costs was between $10k and $15k, but the decorations were purchased rather than rented, my wife bought her bridesmaids' dresses, and I paid for tux rental, we had a harpist instead of a DJ too. Our caterer is a family friend, so it was discounted along with the wedding cake. We used magnolias and greenery from my parent's farm instead of spending tons on flowers, but the bridal bouquet was still more than $250. I am not trying to be a dick, but for a traditional wedding, there is so much to do, buy, and spend money on. Even if you are pinching pennies, it will still be costly. (BTW, i think it is shitty to ask someone to be in your wedding and make them drop $100+ for a dress that they will only wear once)

sure, eloping is cheap, but it is tough to face your family and friends that you dissed to be a cheapskate. YMMV.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:40 AM. Reason : more]

1/28/2009 10:26:08 AM

luckily none of our family and friends would think we were being cheapskates for eloping, but with that being said we decided to just do a very simple wedding instead of eloping. Needless to say we cant really afford to pay for their tuxes or dresses..but we will also work to pick something out as cheap as possible.

1/28/2009 10:30:36 AM

My biggest word of advice would be to enlist the help of family and friends. Ask an Aunt to make the punch, and a cousin to serve the finger foods. People want to help, so if you delegate, the costs are cut down, and you won't have to run around like a chicken with your head cut off. You can also ask your family to ask their friends if they wouldn't mind playing the piano, or making a cake. Avoid typical wedding vendors at all costs, if you want to save money.

1/28/2009 10:33:04 AM

i had a friend that got married and the bridesmaids chose dresses from jcrew that they liked. they all matched and looked nice and the girls got to wear the dresses again after that.

most guys already own a simple black suit, so instead of tuxes you could ask them to just wear a black suit with matching shirts

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:34 AM. Reason : s]

1/28/2009 10:33:29 AM

Quote :

"But it's just too important for the rest of our family that they can share the moment with us. We aren't selfish enough to take that away from them for $5k. And it's pretty naive to say the guy doesn't get anything out of the wedding."

Maybe it's important to ME that my family not be there to make me miserable with their bitching and/or trying to "help"?

I should correct that. My BF wouldn't get anything out of a traditional wedding. We both think they are boring, unoriginal, and obscenely overpriced. Why not elope and avoid the expense of the dresses, decorations, church, etc. then come home and throw a huge party?

I could do a kick ass party for 50+ people for a grand. Alcohol included, but then my family doesn't drink and the boytoy's beer of choice is Yuengling so a keg won't be crazy expensive. No catering, in general catered food sucks monkey balls as far as quality and value.

1/28/2009 10:33:32 AM

^^ true

1/28/2009 10:34:47 AM

^^if that's what you want, that's what you should do, no questions asked. But don't come in here judging us for wanting something different.



[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:35 AM. Reason : ^]

1/28/2009 10:34:57 AM

^^^you sound clueless

usually if you have your ceremony at the church they will have someone playing the piano, so you won't have to hire someone for that... maybe you could talk to them and see if they would play during your reception too. dj's are expensive



[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:37 AM. Reason : .]

1/28/2009 10:35:09 AM

Quote :

"No catering, in general catered food sucks monkey balls as far as quality and value. "

of course its going to suck with the price limits you are talking about.

1/28/2009 10:36:21 AM

Quote :

"of course its going to suck with the price limits you are talking about."

No matter what you pay, it's not going to be as good as what you could walk into a restaurant and get for the same price. I could spend a grand on a caterer and still not be happy. But then I like to cook and have a low tolerance for bad food when I'm paying for it. Growing up in the south and going to church picnics and shit makes you spoiled when it comes to party food.

1/28/2009 10:39:52 AM

^That's why my brother in law is cooking for us.

But, that said, you can get really good food catered in, it's just not going to cost you $10 a head.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:40 AM. Reason : ]

1/28/2009 10:40:22 AM

Quote :

"You already know you're quite atypical, so why do you think your budget and expectations are relevant here? Stop judging people by what you want or what you would do."

this sums up lewoods - why do people waste time arguing with that idiot - it's clear her views are vastly different than just about every person on the planet

exhibit a: message_topic.aspx?topic=537154

just do a search on threads she's made.....

1/28/2009 10:41:49 AM

Quote :

"No matter what you pay, it's not going to be as good as what you could walk into a restaurant and get for the same price."

could it be becuase you're paying for more than just food when you get something catered?

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM. Reason : f]

1/28/2009 10:41:52 AM

There's no point in responding to lewoods or defending your choices.

Even though it's your wedding, what she wants and will do and thinks is best will always be better and more right than your way.

Anyways, if I had better suggestions, I'd be weighing in; as it is, I posted a frugal wedding link in this thread not too long ago

1/28/2009 10:42:55 AM

Quote :

"^That's why my brother in law is cooking for us. But, that said, you can get really good food catered in, it's just not going to cost you $10 a head."

And most of all, I want my boyfriend to weld up a smoker for me. Everything else would be an excuse to get him to make the damn smoker.

1/28/2009 10:43:59 AM

you're an idiot.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM. Reason : d]

1/28/2009 10:44:06 AM

Quote :

"could it be becuase you're paying for more than just food when you get something catered?"

You fucking retarded?

You pay for more than just food at a restaurant too.

1/28/2009 10:45:36 AM

But typically you aren't paying for them to set it all up at your home and serve only you...

1/28/2009 10:46:05 AM

Quote :

"you're an idiot."

And you think you aren't?

1/28/2009 10:46:11 AM

lewoods, who are you to judge? If you want to go have a wedding like that, go do it. But quit judging us for the way we're planning ours. We are cutting costs at every opportunity but still want our families to enjoy themselves.

1/28/2009 10:48:50 AM

Quote :

"But typically you aren't paying for them to set it all up at your home and serve only you..."

bingo

1/28/2009 10:49:42 AM

On a different note, I got the bridesmaids dresses in today from White House Black Market. They are perfect, and only cost $59 a piece + $2 shipping a piece and $4 tax. I am VERY happy with them. I also bought one for myself, because I like it so much and it's not a bridesmaidsy dress, so I could really wear it anywhere.

1/28/2009 10:49:47 AM

do you have a pic? or link?

1/28/2009 10:50:41 AM