Ah, that dreaded word. Budget. This is the one part of wedding planning that truly terrifies me. Just today I was talking to my friend Clare about weddings and she was telling me how she has gone over budget – it is so easy to do!
There are so many things to consider when planning a wedding; so many expenses that you have to account for. At the moment, the complete amount of money in the wedding fund is £0, that’s right, zilch. It is not a secret that Steve has been out of work for a while and money has been very tight, however it is 99% guaranteed that he will be getting the job he interviewed for last week so hopefully money will start pouring into the wedding pot very soon! We’re also looking at other ways to make some money for the wedding: odd jobs, Ebay, cashback, surveys. We’re also entering every cash competition going (which I would probably be doing anyway – being a comper and all!). We just have to see what is right for us when the situation arises.
The problem is once we have a substantial amount and things become a lot more real, shall we say, we have to work out exactly who to invite and who not to. Since the majority of the friends we want to invite will be in the bridal/grooms party, there will only be a handful of others invited which is no problem. However, when you consider the fact that I am one of 5 children, Steve is one of 4 – if you include our parents, that is a lot of people right there. Then there’s grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins. I know some people say ‘Oh, why invite them all? Just have a small intimate wedding!’ – the problem is I have always dreamt of having the majority of my family at my wedding – we are so close and tight knit that I couldn’t imagine not inviting some of them. Of course, I have some family I rarely see so I won’t feel bad about not inviting them – but others? I want them there and there is a lot of them. That doesn’t even begin to start on Steve’s family.
He is just as close to all of his immediate and extended family – and his family are even bigger than mine. In both families, weddings are a big event so you can see why budgeting is a must. The problem is realistically this will probably cost a small fortune – but it’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was a little girl…
On another note, my niece got married with a very low budget and still had a spectacular day – showing that it can be done. In a dream world, I would be able to have the day I’ve always dreamt of for a relatively small budget…however, this isn’t likely to happen!
What are your thoughts? Have you got married or are you planning a wedding? How did you budget? How did you save money? I’d love to know – leave your comments below!
Sorry for the long spiel, sometimes you gotta say what you gotta say….
I know exactly what you mean, I'm one of four, and two of my siblings are getting married within the next year or so. I haven't the first clue how they're affording it all as my brother is just fresh into a new job, etc. I don't envy them. 😛 Whenever I my boyfriend & I even start to consider the size of our families and how much a wedding would cost it seems like you need to pull off budgeting magic. Pinterest does provide a lot of good cost cutting ideas though. Good luck! 😀 xx
Thank you!
We got married for like less then £800 (i can't remember what is totally covert into being in pounds) but we had a tiny wedding, which suited us. I think once you think of the money factor you really have to consider what's more important – being in loads of debt to make everyone happy or having everyone there. It's a hard choice and for us, I didn't want to get into a load of debt or sell out just for one day, important though it was. I don't envy you at all. We handmade all our invites etc and just had a meal in a really nice restaurant which again isn't very practical for a full blown wedding.
Oh definitely! Its something we really need to sit down and thrash out in a conversation xx
I'm currently helping a friend out with her wedding at the moment, she is on a next-to-nothing budget and I've been trying to encourage her to set up a blog because she's a total inspiration and it is amazing what she is pulling together for next to nothing!! I'm making her Save The Dates, Invites, table numbers and placecards, her Mum, mother-in-law, and aunts are all making one cake apiece for the dessert table, she bought a dress on eBay for £70 and is customising/altering it with help from her sister . . . It can definitely be done on a budget. I think you can have your dream day Bex – especially if you get your DIY eye in 🙂
Ooh, DIY Bex? Will have to give things a go!
I'm thinking of getting married in Mexico next spring, and only inviting immediate family. I'm going as low-budget as possible!
Ooh 🙂 sounds like it will be lovely x
I'm getting married in September, and money is extremely tight for both of our families. Luckily, my dad is a chef, so he's preparing the food, my aunt is helping us out with photography, and we just know a lot of people who will come in handy for our wedding. It's really tough though planning everything!
Yep, its so handy when you know people who can help you out!x
Make as much as you can and start as soon as possible. Invitations, favours, table numbers and even centrepieces can ALL be made in advance. Then figure out what you still need to pay for! It's amazing how much more expensive a cake gets when the 'W' word is mentioned, we had a few quotes for £800-£1200! Flowers are also crazy expensive, consider doing some of the decorative flowers yourself and only paying for bouquets (or even go for an alternative style of bouquet… buttons or paper flowers) There's a shop up here called country baskets which is a crafty wholesaler that do a LOT of flowers, we picked up vases for our centrepieces for £10 a piece (granted we've ended up letting the florist do the rest…) As far as being over budget is concerned, i'm over by the 3 deposits we've paid and the rings that we're paying for out of wages because Chris is of the oppinion that we should buy each others rings which is fair enough – overall about £1200 over budget but I refused to compromise on the dress or the venue!!! We've probably got about £500 still to pay for extra guests though so its going to keep going up!!
I love your tips, you're my wedding guru 😉 x
You can easily make the bonbonieres (I did for mine) also empty tin cans from food collect and soak off the labels, tie a ribbon round, and they make amazing shabby chic flower table decorations. I have millions of lovely hand made ideas if you are into that kind of thing xxx
Ooh thanks hun!x
Hi! You've got a great blog here and I'm your follower. I'd love it so much if you could follow me back 🙂 it'd be great to keep in touch!
<3
http://tanyasoyer.blogspot.com/
thank you!x
Hi there! I have ventured over from Aloha Friday. I'm enjoying this little peek into your world! Just lovely! XOXO, Mandi
thank you!x
It's good to know people in different trades.
My mum is a baker and so made our 3 tier wedding cake for free.
One of my friends worked at a florist and so we got all our flowers, button holes and bouquet for £100.
I got driven in my dads friends Jaguar so didn't need to pay out for cars.
My hair dresser did my hair for free including buying my hair extensions.
Do your own table decorations, it's amazing how cheap it is to go into a craft shop and buy hellium, ballons, ribbons, weights etc and make a room look stunning.
http://www.adventuresofayorkshiremum.co.uk
Definitely doing my own table decorations…well, getting my Maid of honour to do them lol x
Hi there! I went to Vegas and got married! Cost us $55 to do it :). I do dream o a huge wedding though. Maybe when I hit 10 years? Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! I am stopping by from I Love My Post 🙂
Jessica
Thank you!
We have nothing in the wedding fund either – budgeting is going to be such a headache! So I've followed a few wedding blogs for inspiration! Xo
Pinterest, my girl, Pinterest!!x
yes! a budget – a scary word but SO manageable! we had a small budget as well and i did a whole post series on how to save money while still having your dream wedding. it is possible to have a beautiful wedding on a budget!
I will have to pop over and read your series!x