Getting married but wanna do it on budget any ideas

[aaliyahsmum]

Me and dp decided yesterday that we wanted to get married and we want to do it as soon as but i would like to do it on a budget so any ideas on what we need, shouldnt bother with, and must haves because i am at a loss of what to get

[Thomcat]

One of the best weddings I've ever been to was on a v tight budget.
After registery office we went to their local pub abd had a drink before jumping on a canal barge (London'e little venice) and had sausaage and mash and drank and laughed and then went back to the pub. the newly weds then went off after a few hours and us guests all went out for dinner and talked about what a fab day we'd all had.
No photographer, we just all gave them copies of our pics, no video, no posh dried up aol food, lovley scrummy says & mash rocked, no band just played some great CDs.

[fairydust]

when you says budget what do you class as budget as some people see £15000 as budget others £1000

We had a pretty cheap wedding even though it wasn't on a budget and i had everytghing i wanted we did the whole lot for £1500 an d it was a magical day

[fairydust]

my parents we're quite shocked at how cheap it came to - we did have a expensive honeymoon though didn'y want them to get away to light

[beansprout]

We are trying to do the same.

• Registry office is the cheapest option for the actual deed. Some charge for the use of the room but others don't.
  
• Second hand dress is a must. Ebay has a lot but you can get some really nice ones on the High St. Monsoon is v good.
  
• Flowers are v expensive, so we aren't having any!!
  
• A function room in a pub or restaurant is a good option for the reception.
  
• We are not hiring cars, having favours, photographers, brides maids, ushers, page boys (etc).
  
• Guest list will have to be pretty small (obviously!)
  
• Invites can be bought in John Lewis rather than custom made.
  
  Will let you know if I think of anything else!!

[aaliyahsmum]

we live in a small town so i would like to get married in town, has to be civil service cos he is divorced but dont want registry office and thought bout going to local then hiring town hall for reception, our friends run a catering company and would do a cheap buffet, know a photographer but not sure on cost but your idea was great.my sis is getting married on sat and they are having the reception in my parents garden and we are all doing catering mum is florist so flowers are sorted but i dont want to do the same as sis is funny bout everything i do

[aaliyahsmum]

i dont want a honeymoon but i know two little girls who will be upset if we have no bridesmaids, i have looked on ebay at dresses and they do some really nice ones in large sizes, dp divorce comes through on june 1st and i want to be married b4 next year, our budget is very very budget but the day has to be special

[fairydust]

when my mum got married last yr she had two little bridesmaids she got the dresses from bhs and they we're georgous and not that expensive and rather then flowers they carried little teddy';s on there wrists attached by ribbon

[Satine]

Where are you? I'm a florist based in West Sussex - can I help? I'll do wholesale prices for a mumsnet wedding!

[PotPourri]

Make the invitations yourself. We bought nice aged looking paper from the art shop and a wax stamp adn then printed in an old script, then folded it up the way they used to a long time ago and sealed shut. Cost hardly anything, but everyone raved about it. Dress from teh highstreet - definately. Don;t bother going to all those wedding shops. I got ripped off on my dress (long story) and would only recommend going there if you really don't have a clue what suits you, as they take you through all the styles and cuts etc. Then just swan off and find one for £100 in debenhams or monsoon. I made lovely favours, but they were an extra that you don't need. find an old relative that can make cakes. If not, get it out of Marks & Spencer and decorate very simply yourself with ribbon, dried/fake/real flowers (as your mum is a florist). That saves an absolute packet.

So, main thing is DIY wherever possible. Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a lovely day whatever. Don't stress or get into debt about it, it's just not worth it. I had an amazing day and amazing run up to it. But I have seen brides so stressed out about the detail that they lose the whole point...

[compo]

have you seen this site - www.confetti.co.uk \link{http://www.confetti.co.uk/weddings/advice_ideas/finance_legal/top_budget_tips.asp\here is the link for the budget bit
I think the best tip is to either have the wedding at lunchtime and then just have an afternoon party OR have the wedding as late as possible and then you only have to organise one meal. A lot of people get married at say 2pm, have 3 course sit down meal, and then have to provide a buffet at 8pmish for the evening crowd

[compo]

sorry link here

[Satine]

Sorry - didn't read the bit about the flowers being sorted!

[aaliyahsmum]

my mum has already made my brides bouquet which made me laugh because she finished just before we said we was getting married

[SoupDragon]

Go through all our friends and think of who has a posh car you can borrow.
Don't mention "wedding" when booking stuff as this can add to the price. You're having "a family party"
I would allocate a friend with a video camera to be official video person for the day.
Ditto photographer (or maybe a local college has a photography course? A student might do it cheaply.)
Booze Cruise to France for the alcohol.
Make your own invites if you're feeling artistic.
If you can't find the dress you like, consider having one made by a dressmaker (nb not a designer!)
If you want a tiara/veil try to borrow them.

[fairydust]

i'd personally go for a early wedding - then hasve an afternoon tea - it worked fantastic for us and everyone really enjoyed it - then if you want to carry on into the night everyone can pile into the local.

[fairydust]

oh yeh - my mum got a fantastic dress from bhs it wasn't in the bridal section but the ball gown section as it's prom time comming up you have more choice. mum went for a simply ivory one and then dressed it with a tiera etc

[fairydust]

sorry debenhams not bhs

[aaliyahsmum]

i am a size 22 so need to get a 24 as they all seem to be very small have looked in debenhams when i went with sis but didnt find anything that would fit, went to bridal shop and saw 'THE' dress and then nearly fainted at the price.

[almostanangel]

hi what sort of dress are you after ,i have one here you are welcome to ,if you like...cat me i wll send you details and if you give me your measurements when you do i will measure it and see if it will be ok.it has a wrap with it to.

[aaliyahsmum]

almostanangel have cat you i think

[Nemo1977]

I would wait until the winter as its 'out of season' everything is sooooooo much cheaper. MY dh and i got married in nov and in total it cost £5000 including a fabulous £2000 honeymoon in egypt. Due to being out of season we got our hotel function room for free as it is post norm weddings and pre xmas weddings and other people offered discounts etc.

[Nemo1977]

will sya also went to small local wedidng dress shop and my dress was £400 and that is a plus size one..think its a 24.

[roisin]

Restrict your number of bridesmaids/attendants: I had none
Bridesmaids all need outfits, shoes, hair, flowers ... and a lot of time and hassle sorting them out. And they all need inviting to the reception with a guest, or two.

Like others here, some of the best weddings I've been to have been on the tightest budgets.

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[aaliyahsmum]

my dd is a bridesmaid on sat at my sis wedding and again in aug for my bro so she will already have two different dresses to choose from and one only cost £25 as was on bargain rail when sis got dress or she wasnt having any.
Sis is hairdresser and i am beauty therapist so that side of things are covered.