I'm getting married but it's super expensive...

Portugal
February 15, 2011 1:10pm CST
Hi there! So I'm getting in about 6 months, but we really don't have much money, right now, every little bit helps, so I was wondering if any of you knows any ptc or ptr that really do pay, know any online store where you can get affordable wedding gowns, or just have some good tips in general, about how to save money planning a wedding. I really need your help! Thank you so much.
2 people like this
12 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
It's still your call whether to succumb to super expensive wedding. It is you and your husband to be who will start life as married couples afterward and it's difficult to do so with little money. Hence, just as my husband and i did, we had a simple wedding. I just borrowed my wedding dress from my officemate, of my size too. We had a simple reception and the invited ones are the closest relatives and friends. As for the wedding entourage, it was simple too. They came in their own best dresses. We spent minimally but after our wedding we were still able to buy those needed appliances. However, it still depends on the both of you. Best wishes!
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
We're keeping it all to a minimun, but in my home town receptions are so expensive! And it's like a cartel too! Everywhere you go the price is all the same, there are no cheaper places and pricier places, it's all the same!
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
It's really expensive to be married in one's hometown. Everybody is a friend so you have to invite them, at the least.
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
15 Feb 11
I asked a seamstress to make my dress... and we had bestman for our cake and for the honeymoon travel. Everything is money money money... when kids arrive... again. So... distress a little bit and enjoy a lot this moments! Congrats & Blessings!... Dainy
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
17 Feb 11
Oh oh oh, I´m feeling nervous too!!! Oh my God!! =) Blessings!... Dainy
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
Fortunately I really want to keep it simples, so it'll cost a lot less than the average wedding, we have friend who do the video and the photography, we really don't need the car, another friend does the music, we don't really car for wedding rings, sthe only real cost is the venue and the food, but it's still around 87 dollars for person... I thought about going to a seamstress but I don't know any good ones, and really don't want to take the chance with the wedding dress...
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
15 Feb 11
When we got married, we didn't do anything, no wedding ring, no parties, no wedding dress, not even a meal so we didn't spend a dime on the whole thing... my husband was saying we would do something when we could afford it but he never done anything to it. So maybe you want to do it cheaply even though it is expensive so you won't regret. Maybe you can look for the cheaper wedding dresses and a cheap catering receptio party? Wish you good luck in your marriage!
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
The "only you me and the needed legal witnesses" was our first idea too, but we realized that we wanted to celebrate our new life with those we love. We did thought that we could have a party later, but knowing us, we would just keep putting it off and would end up not celebrating our wedding, so here we are, making every possible effort to be able to afford it. :)
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
For me yes but make it simple.
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
Ok! Thanks for your answer!
@nj_1022 (251)
16 Feb 11
Getting married nowadays costs a lot it really help to seek more inexpensive materials for your wedding needs
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
Tell me about it, but the venues are so very expensive! It almost seems impossible, I mean, 87 dollars a person? Are thy insane?
@sexyice (873)
• Latvia
15 Feb 11
Do you want a large wedding with many guests? Payment may be reduce - dress hire, invite only the best friends, celebrate in the countryside or to good friends,Instead choose a wedding gift money, which cover wedding costs,wedding travel choose cheap, a place which is important to you (beatiful hotel room maybe too). If you want to just get married without a princess celebration, just need to cut costs.
@sexyice (873)
• Latvia
15 Feb 11
Supper car borrow from friends, rather than hire a limousine. ;)
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
15 Feb 11
First of all it depends how many you want for your wedding if it is going to be held indoor, or outdoor, formal, semi formal or casual, how many your planning to invite his and your family, friends, etc. If informal have a potluck We just went to a wedding where all the guests brought potluck dishes, The bride had friends who knew how to make cakes make her cakes both the wedding and grooms cake and they were really nice and beautiful. She got her dress at a thrift shop for $50 and it looked fantastic. Do you want the big wedding best man and maid/matron of honor, brides maids how many. They buy thier own dresses. If formal then you can rent them or if semi formal if casual then let them wear their prettiest dress. If you have a color theme and still casual they can wear their favorite dress or get one in thrift shop in the color theme but do not have to match. That is what the bride did we went to on Saturday. Groom wore a nice suit as did his best man and groomsman and they wore suits but not matching just nice. Costco has flower bouquets for about $12.00 and you can get ribbons etc and make the bouquets or find someone who can make boutinairres or corsages that has had some florist experince or creative. Make Your own invitations with photo of yourself and choose graphics or like the one we went she invited most on Facebook. Worked fine. Went to three weddings this year by Facebook invites. A few not on facebook got by mail invites but the couple saved a lot of money. Find someone you know to take photos that take good photos same with videos. Will you have dancing? You can play with stereo CD player and have someone put on the CD's. If inside and you go to church most let you have the church free or for a small fee of about $50 often the pastor will officiate for free or a donation usually about $100 if they do want one. I have put on weddings and they cost less than 1200 for everything. Including reception after. There are lots of ways to cut expense, brainstorm with family and friends I am sure some have had experince and some are good organizers and creative. Pick a couple of people to help be your wedding co-ordinator but make it a non family member or someone not too close in your families like a cousin or something. Hope this helps message me if you have questions.
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
Gosh Celanith you have really good ideas, thank you. I wish I could have an outdoor wedding, in a family backyard or farm or something, allas, we all live in apartments in the city so we really must get a venue... Venues don't allow us to bring our own food so we need to get it there, so that's 87 dollars per person... Thankfully, we have friends that take car of all the rest, music, photograpy, video, children entertainment, so we're only paying for the venue, legal papers and my dress... I still comes doen to nearly 6 thousand dollars, and that's a frightening figure!
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
15 Feb 11
Try going to your local thrift stores and look for wedding dresses. I know that my local thrift stores sell them for under one hundred dollars and they have some beautiful ones. Otherwise a new wedding dress can cost a small fortune.
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
Thanks so much for your answer! In my country, thrift stores don't carry formal wear, much less a wedding gown. I thought about going to a used clothe store, but since vintage is so in vogue, dresses there tend to cost as much as new dresses from a bridal store! I found a beautiful dress on an online store, it has good feedback and they tailor it to your measurments, it costs 170 dollars, i find it quite affordable - but since we're both so young we're trying to cut any costs we can!
@SimpleBB (1329)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Weddings is really an event that would be expensive but depends on how we would want it to be. For me, nothing is wrong to have a simple wedding, but what is important is you and your betterhalf be blessed with the sanctity of marriage. You can seek for assistance from your friends, which for sure would be more than willing to take part on the preparation for this very special event of your life. You can even have the reception be limited to both your family circle as well as close friends that you would want to be part of the event. We can never please everybody. So there would be no need for extravagant reception. Venue could be in your house to exclude the expenses for the reception venue. Think of simple things that could be made by your close friends as give aways. And choose people for your entourage who you think would understand your situation and those who really would be your support in your married life. You can either solicit for help or assistance from your close relatives and friends. Don't let extravagant preparation put pressure and stress on you and your partner to be. Better think of the future and not only for this one day event, though I know how wedding is important for a woman. But think of a more significant and that is the wedding ring that needs and important to be blessed and most of your future in this new phase of your life.
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Well, this is going to be an unsolicited advice, but if you don't have much money, why don't you pospone the wedding for a couple of months so that you can save more? Anyway.. about your question, reading lots and lots of forums and blogs will definitely help you find that perfect website where you can earn (other than mylot!) You have to read and read and compare notes by users until you find that site that is legitimate and that many will say is a great site. Good luck on your online earning, and advance congratulations for your wedding!
@hdc4free (260)
• United States
15 Feb 11
Congrats on your upcoming wedding! There are lots of great ways to save money and be creative on your wedding day. Relying on friends and family can be a big help, see if you know anyone that can help with the dress, cake, food, decorating, photography...there is really no end to what you can do yourself! At my wedding they gave me a reduced rate on the food by having all my out of town guests stay at the same hotel and doing the reception in the hotel's party room. I have a friend who did her reception in the church basement and friends & family provided the food - very cost saving to do things this way! Another friend had a beautiful potluck wedding at the park. Good luck & have fun planning your big day!
• Portugal
16 Feb 11
I'm having my reception in a hotel too, since we don't have a backyard or farm - I would much rather have a outdoor wedding on a familiar local... They don't give us a discount on the food, but rather offer a 20% off to any guests who will stay with them...
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Hi!Have you heard of peopleperhour, its a great place to look for employers,and it really depends on your specialization.Try to check it out!anyways, Congratulations in advance!