Budgeting! What to diy and what to skip out on in order to save?

I agree with a lot of these comments. Paper is a big place where you can save money. I made my invitations and printed them through Canva. RSVPs are online. I am also making the programs and table number signs, along with welcome sign and such.

I suggest that you and your FH decide what the most important things are to you. And make a wedding statement. Like, our statement was something like "We want our friends and family there to celebrate our getting married and then everyone have a fun party." Most important items were live band and open bar. (and a beautiful wedding gown

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Just curious what it is about a memory table that you don't like? I've never heard of anyone having a peeve about one of those before! Cutting it doesn't really save any money, in my experience, just curious!

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My peeve is that it is putting a mood into a wedding that does not need to be there. They are a newer "thing" - I am 54 btw, and they still surprise me. They were not a thing in the 70's, 80's or 90's. I jokingly say: "I did not show up at at Aunt Edna's funeral and turn it into my wedding, so why are we turning a wedding into a funeral?" Look, we all know who is not there, why point it out? Just a note in the program, if that, is all that is needed. Seeing people who have passed could seriously upset people too. Final thought: We were at a wedding in 2005 and there was, and I kid you not: Two poems read for dead people, a dove release and THREE SONGS devoted to the deceased. Plus a memorial table.

I would NEVER say anything, that would be rude, but I just walk past it. My deceased parents would have been HORRIFIED if I put out pics of them at our wedding. They would have said "What are you doing, lol??" (I know they are dead and can't talk just work with me, lol!!!)

Take it from me, ANY DIY project you’re considering, comb the damn earth and Internet seeing if you can find it already made for cheaper!!!
I’m out so much money for DIY supplies and I’m exhausted but now I’m locked in and having a bunch of people helping me finish. My wedding is next month. Don’t be me. Me is dumb.

View Quoted Comment I agree 100% all we care about is the food and drink for the guest everything else is diy cheap as long as we get our wedding photos in the field we’re golden

View Quoted Comment Susan I love the idea of printing out the program & making fans out of them.

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Can you post pics of your centerpieces please? Thanks

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Table decor

hydrangea

dining room

lit closeup

I had an inclusive venue. They provided mixed china, runners, white or ivory tablecloths and napkins. I chose not to use tablecloths. The runners weren't necessarily my style but I just left that up to them. The hydrangea vases cost $8 per vase. I did pay a 100 dollar setup/tear down/ delivery fee for all flowers, including personal flowers dropped off at the hotel. The candle holders were $7.82 each from Pier One. I paid 50.88 for 5 boxes of tapered candles from Pier One. There were six candles per table coming to $5.09. The table numbers were a splurge, in my opinion. We could have easily printed table numbers and framed them for cheap or bought the already completed wooden table numbers at Michael's (which I did not like). My MOH is very artistic. She was very pregnant and her husband was away so she wanted a project lol. The wooden slices were approx. $7 dollars each if memory serves me. She wrote the numbers in permanent marker...you couldn't tell. The other splurge was the number holders. I didn't like any I saw and these ones on Amazon matched perfectly. They were about $5 dollars each but there are plenty of cheaper options available. Ultimately, we spent $48.73 per table. Which is a lot in my opinion, but we saved in so many other areas. I never would have spent that much on table numbers but it didn't really effect our bottom line and it kept my friend occupied. If I had round tables, I wouldn't have doubled the vases and candles. My venue also had pretty votive candles I could have used at no cost. I didn't know that until I had already purchased the candle holders and really liked them lol. This look could easily be duplicated for much cheaper, other than the real flowers. That's probably as cheap as it gets.

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I wanted to mention, I was not a DIY bride lol. There were two things DIYed at my wedding, the table numbers and seating chart. They were both done by my MOH, costing more than I would have spent on my own. It didn't matter to me though and they turned out great. Also, I wasn't really actively trying to save money. I saved money by getting a $200 dress, $12 veil, $10 earrings, and $15 shoes. My husband wore a nice suit he already owned. We did get him a new shirt, tie, tie clip and socks. OMG why are ties so expensive?! Someday I'll get around to writing my BAM.

We are doing a lot of DIY, coupon clipping and deals searching. We are using silks for some of our arrangements and that does save some money but not as much as it used to. I saved money on my dress by going to DB and getting them on sale and early.

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I agree with the RSVP, programs, favors,games(I don't think games should ever be played at a wedding) and NO MEMORY TABLE!!

I made all my signage. I bought dollar store frames and cars stock and printed my signs myself. Less then $5 a piece. I bought my lanterns and card box second hand. I’m making my centerpieces, lanterns l, garland and some votives to keep it simple. Only flowers will be the 4 bouquets I need and I’m doing sunflowers 🌻 which my friend is going to do for me. No decorating the ceremony just got some fake garland for the gazibo, cocktail tables will be mason jars filled with sand and a votive in top and tied w twine.
went for a photographer who is new to weddings but very good work but since it’s her first wedding she is affordable.
we are having a cash bar due to the fact my guest list went from 65 to 100. I suggested people bring nips lol
wearing sandals not expensive heels
veil is from amazon
rings we’re on sale at Kays

View Quoted Comment So true on this! Some things are worth just purchasing/ renting. Also, sometimes the diy doesn’t work out and then you find yourself panic spending to fix it.

I did my own card box and seating chart from etsy pdf download for cheap then just printed them on card stock and saved money instead of having them shipped and set out etc...then i just bought cheap dollar photo frames and framed it and my card box was just white boxes i decorated and blinged out lol.. i also bought chalkboard signs to do those myself at walmart not that bad for price for the little signs dont forget to sign guest book etc...other then that all flowers my flourist did and my venue includes set up and tear down in there fees so thats a huge plus and cake cutting in there fees to plus they set up all decorations thankfully and ceremony chairs doing it outside our venue so no travel for everyone which is good . .. few other things you can diy are sometimes the centerpieces depending on how you want them ...Good Luck hope that helps some

View Quoted Comment Very tru i tried to diy my MR & Mrs sign that goes in front of where we sit and it came out horrible the paint looked like the right color and wasnt and then i thought it would look good one way and turned out horrible so i had to buy new which cost me more then did first time at 50 bucks but well worth it since it will be professionally done and done right first time should hsve done that to begin with lesson learned lol

I’m not doing flowers, hair, or make-up. I’m allergic to most products that hair dressers put in your hair, allergic to many forms of make-up, and I’m allergic to flowers. My mother in-law, who is hosting our wedding at her house, already is going to plant flowers and I know that’s going to be a pain in the butt enough for my allergies. Also, since we are grilling instead of catering I’m not investing in real plates or silverware. We are going to pick apples before the wedding and make sure we pick enough to make a basket of apples our center piece (fall wedding for reference). We also didn’t hire a DJ or anything. We are making a playlist and asking people for one song they want in it and everything. There’s so much more we are cutting down on in order to save money.

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We think alike. Why do we need chess, Jenga, cornhole, etc at a wedding? Is sitting and talking or (my favorite) drinking and dancing not enough? I don't want to play Apples to Apples at your wedding reception, thanks!! Agree on no signs. I think I got this thing called sitting. And trust me I WILL find the bar with no help, lol!

I skipped a veil (I was 54, second wedding, I was pushing it with my white dress, lol) and bought rhinestone clip on earrings (my pierced ears closed up) at a thrift store and wore a pearl necklace I was gifted when I was 18. I wore a rhinestone headband that I bought from China for like, $8, I think?

No limo (that is so not us) no photobooth, no chocolate fountain, just excellent food and plenty to drink.

I did not skip on hair and makeup - I was firm in having that done for me.

We're skipping programs. We're also doing a lot of diyTD, seating chart, centerpieces, and favors. I also saved a bunch on flowers by using

Enjoy flowers for the bouquets and boutonnieres and corsages.

I’ve done a ton of DIY. I’m pretty artistic so I made all of our signs, painted the aisle runner with our monogram, our hashtag signs, and our invitations/programs. And honestly, I got a lot from wish. We got our cake topper, a few small gifts for the bridal party and all 10,000 flower petals (were lining the aisle with them)