Any tips for planning a wedding in about six months with tight budget?

Boo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 05:49 AM

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?

She's All That · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 05:49 AM

Favors. That is the easiest answer. Look around and negotiate. Ask people if they know anyone in that area that does this or that. For a cake check out a local grocer instead of a high end bakery. Best way to keep the cost low is to keep the guest list small. Look for used wedding dresses on ebay or even check out David's Bridal for their $99 dress sale. Or do you know a dress maker? How about a self catered wedding? Also, as far as ceremony sites, the most affordable are state parks.

Good luck and hope this helps.

shihtzulover123 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 10:09 AM

Contact me via E-mail We did the planning for granddaughters in about 4 months and are in purchase phase now. Do you know what your budget is yet and what is the guest count? These things very important

kellie t · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 10:09 AM

There are a ton of things you can do on our own......

Favors are incredibly easy to do on your own. Due to the time of year and your theme you could do favors aimed at fall. Like carmel apples with cute ribbon and tags. If you want to do something not aimed at the time of year a "candy table or bar" is fun. you can get lots of candies like jelly beans in cheap vases and bowls and have favor bags and boxes with scoops.Choc covered anything like oreos is easy and you can monogram you intials on them with icing. Heres links to pictures of candy table and apples.

www.ourweddingplus.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/wedding_candy_bar.jpg
www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/content/binary/apples.jpg

You could see when Davids Bridal is having another 99$ dress sale. Thats a great deal.

Although it takes a little work you can make your own invitations for much cheaper than you can buy them. And they would be custom.

Flowers can be bought in bulk from places like Sams club and are much cheaper. If you have simple bouquets and or centerpieces that would be easy. These are simple centerpieces with fake white flowers in jello. You could do alot of color combos.
www.weddingobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/jello-centerpiece.jpg

Centerpieces with this kind of thing would be easy
www.weddingobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/wedding-pearls.jpg

Local gardens and parks are usually cheap places to rent for weddings. And would take minimal decorating its already pretty.

MY biggest suggestion would be to use theme and color from fall. Unless you dislike these colors. Then you could incorporate pumpkins and cords and such....and since wedding cakes are really expensive be sure to budget for that or do a pie theme instead...have apple and pumpkin and cherry pies.

Good luck!!

loving my life<3 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 08:49 AM

hmm.. maybe find someone with a big house or big back yard that would let you do it there?

even post adds on places like craigslist and explain the sittuation, and offer them X amount of money to let you.. and make sure they know you'll have it all cleaned up the next day.. (maybe someone in your family would help with that)

Offer them like.. 300-400 for the day.. more for the house!

Thats cheap for a place!

Then maybe do appetizers instead of a meal.. if you do it at an odd hour.. like 2/3 you could do that..

if its in a back yard, maybe a tent? or you can also rent wooden dance floors!

Good luck hunny..

dragonsmercy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 07:34 PM

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.