Struggling to see where I could save money!

cleomolly

I agree bubble, may be handing out the paper for guests to write on would be a better idea, I wonder whether the men would pay interest to the tree anyway! I'll try and get it down though, surely a vase and some twigs shouldn't be £50!

Think ebay will be sick of me by the end of the day. Thanks everyone, some great ideas to get me going, and bringing hope back too ; )

cleomolly

Thats it shellsuit, You have to put things into perspective, and the most important thing will be saying 'I do' to our wonderful OH's. I'm feeling loads better about making cut backs now, before I was thinking about what others would say if I didn't have this, and didn't have. Congrats on your baby too ; )

trina2010

Most of this looks fair enough, but a few things from me -

Favours - do you really need favours on top of match books and trivia?? why not instead of individual favours put out some little tubs/votives of sweets on the tables for everyone to share instead? that was done at a wedding we were at recently and everyone was happy.
Honestly most people don't really notice favours and they're becoming less common.

Stationery - if you are willing to do some yourself you could save a huge amount on this, plus you can do it all well in advance, all you should have to do near the time is print inserts, but theres nothing to say you cant do the outers now.

Rings - I understand you want your rings made specially, I'm also having mine made for me, only because my engagement ring is a weird slanty shape and I want a ring to fit it properly. Even considering that it will be 18ct white gold and H2B is have a 2 colour white/yellow gold ring our total is still only hitting about 500..is palladium not meant to be much cheaper?
However your alternative might be to buy cheap rings for now, and in a few years time save up together for the rings of your dreams as an anniversary gift to each other?

Wishing Tree - walk in the local forest park to collect some nice twigs, newspaper, can of spray paint, old jam jar..et voila!

I think pretty much everythings been covered by everyone, you can easily come in to budget with these items. Just be careful with suppliers and do as much as you feel you can yourself!

hope some of this helps!

bubble96

shellsuit wrote: »

I'm done with worrying about other people, it's mine and OH's day, so as long as we are happy with everything, hopefully everyone else will be, but if they're not, it's tough!

I agree, and the way i feel is that the people i care about most know how we feel, and what we want, and anyone else who doesnt like it can leave! If money was no object im sure there is many things we would all choose to have, but, the bigger the wedding gets and the more money is thrown at it, the less personal it becomes. i pick personal over expensive!

bubble96

cleomolly wrote: »

Thats it shellsuit, You have to put things into perspective, and the most important thing will be saying 'I do' to our wonderful OH's. I'm feeling loads better about making cut backs now, before I was thinking about what others would say if I didn't have this, and didn't have. Congrats on your baby too ; )

exactly. Weve gone for the holiday inn deal - for the purpose of keeping costs down - yet still the organiser tried to insist that we must have at least 1 extra course and wine on the table as people will expect it?? Who sets all these expectations, and why do we feel we have to meet them? we should be allowed to do what we want - i want to celebrate with my friends - but i dont want everyone trolleyed on wine by 6pm. (sorry, i feel passionate about this as the meeting with the organiser is still a bit fresh!)

Horace

Personally I would ditch the favours - they're not necessary and are not likely to be missed by people either (you find at the end of the day that they often remain on the table).

Flowers - raid your friends' and family's gardens for flowers that are in season and do a simple hand tied bouquet with some green tape (to tape the ends to stop them dripping) and use a nice piece of ribbon around them.

Your rings - need looking at Palladium is cheaper than platinum and even with getting your rings made you should be able to get them cheaper.

Your dress and BMs dresses - look at the sales - bridal shops are having their sales now as they are preparing for the BBEH trade show in September where they will order new stock. Look in BHS and even Monsoon - try your local charity shop too as you might pick up a bargain.

You don't need to provide a load of stuff for the kids either and certainly not drinks - I posted something on here from Project Wedding about making colouring and puzzle books that could be used as place names and provide entertainment for kids.

No need for bride and groom presents either - you already have each other.

As for a wishing tree - either get a large twig and place it in a jar with some plaster of paris or do away with the idea altogether and get a guest book which will serve the same purpose and will be more useful than the tree which you then have to dispose of. Why mess about - just keep things simple.

neneromanova

cleomolly wrote: »

Photography 500
Rings 500
Cake 100 – made my friend
Stationary 200 – everything needed
Gifts x11 120
Flowers 300
Vases & candles 90
Suits 100
Wishing Tree 50
Reception decoration 100 – to include table confetti, mints, match books and table trivia
Children’s packs x10 100
Favours 50
Hair, make-up, nails ect 200
Bride and groom gifts 100

Totals 2510.00
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This would be my list If this was my wedding budget:

Photography FREE I'm getting s friend, who is professional photographer to do mine for me for a wedding present. But Maybe shop around a bit more as £500 seems a bit steep.
Rings 100 Obviously this is due to what you like, but my partner and I are having Carbon Fibre rings. Why not look on Ebay or go for a cheaper set of rings. Why not a pawn shop?
Cake 100 – made by meSame as you
Stationary 50 Going to most likely by them from Here I know they should look pretty but they'll only be thrown away in my mind.
Gifts 50 Just small sentimental gifts
Flowers 100Getting them on EBay
Vases & candlesWouldn't personally ave them myself but obviously this is what you like but why not try somewhere like Ikea?
Suits 300OH won't skimp on suit but this is for 3 people
Wishing TreeDon't know what this is but it sounds cute
Reception decoration 100 – to include table confetti, mints, match books and table trivia Sounds right
Children’s packsPacks of what?
Favours 20Going to make my own
Hair, make-up, nails ect 200Haven't looked at this yet but I guess it's normal
Bride and groom giftsWouldn't want a gift personally.

Totals 1020.00

JCS1

Lots of mention of ebay, don't forget to go via quidco and get some cashback.

student_advisor

Re cake, you've said it's a friend's mum, but you've also said you're getting flowers for the cake.

I make cakes and would say that £100 is a bit steep if she's not doing any decorations - cost price for a large fruit cake is around £12-£15 including icing. Can't she do it for cost? (Also, unless she actually has a business, she can't make a profit unless she tells the tax man:eek:)

samidevils

Haven't read all the replys, but I've seen bride and groom ring package - in h samuel for £300, think these are the ring we are getting. 9ct two colour white gold and gold £330.....