InstantForum.NET v4.1.4CanadianBride.com Talkboardshttp://forums.canadianbride.com/bounce@canadianbride.comTue, 02 Dec 2008 09:35:35 GMT20http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxHun, there are so many ways you can pull of the wedding you want on a frugal budget. This board is full of really great women with awesome ideas. Doing alot of things yourself will definatly save you a heap load of money. If you can hold off to save money then do it.. if not and your anxious like me then go for it now. Its all about what you and your fh want.Sun, 16 Apr 2006 02:38:30 GMTleggebridehttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI just graduated university this year, paid for that all myself working part time. FH's still in school and he works part time to pay for his own education. I'll be working full time this year to pay for the wedding all by myself. I understand it can be stressful but I think you're plans will work out. If you have connections, Use them! My mom did cakes professional years ago and I am recruiting her to do our wedding cake. FH has a friend who will Dj for us at a very reasonable price.. enlist everyone you know who could be useful to help out and cut costs. I have prioritized my budget so if I run out of funds I know exactly what to cut if the money just isn't there.</P><P>You'll be delighted to get the wedding of your dreams for a cost you can live with. And try to keep in mind that the wedding is ONLY one day! So spending a small fortune, that you don't have, when you have the rest of your lives you worry about together just doesn't make sense.</P><P>Best of luck!Fri, 14 Apr 2006 02:25:03 GMTColeKhttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx[quote][b]Orcarose (4/13/2006)[/b][hr]I think I got it... I was reading some posts from the reception topic.<P>They were talking about the same things. And I believe you are all right (minus one...eloping one.) I think I might try the following. Have my ceremony somewhere nice so that we can take the pictures there too (save on transportation costs). Then invite only the VIP guests (Bridal party, the parents. the grandparents and that's it).</P><P>Then later, have a cash bar dance at a hall and serve a late snack (platters of food that my bridal party and I will assemble the night before).</P><P>What do you think?</P><P>Any of you live in Calgary... I need a nice place for a Ceremony. Where I could take nice pictures too? I don't know of many places that would allow us to get married there and not have food expenditures. But it's worth a try.</P><P>Thanks for listening ladies. You are all so smart...[/quote]<P>Sounds like a great plan!! :DFri, 14 Apr 2006 00:47:16 GMTMrsMtobehttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx<FONT size=2>I think a cocktail reception is an awesome idea! That way, you could still have a "swanky" reception, but it cuts out the cost of the dinner, table linens, centerpieces and the like. You could have a "Hollywood Glamour" theme or something! </FONT><P><FONT size=2> You could also do a "high tea" reception...tea is inexpensive!! There could be warm scones with strawberry jam, large displays of fruit etc...</FONT></P><P><FONT size=2>Or you could do a more informal picnic type thing if it was in the summer. It could even be a "luxury picnic" with really delicious grapes and special cheeses etc, and you could only have champagne for a champagne toast! hmmm what else...? </FONT></P><P><FONT size=2>Just a tip: candles, if your venue allows them, are one of the cheapest way to bring a beautiful feeling to your event! They create a gorgeous ambiance!</FONT></P><P><FONT size=2>I hope you find something that suits your needs!! Good luck, I'm sure whatever you decide will be gorgeous!! :)</FONT>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:20:09 GMTLizaloohttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI really like the cocktail reception idea. We went to an evening wedding (started at 7) and I just loved how it all flowed. FH and I had gone out for a nice romantic dinner just the two of us and then enjoyed the night. There were apps and finger food but I think that was it. It was intimate and very personal to the couple, they had planned every detail so well and that was in part why it was so awesome.Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:20:39 GMTjulesmchttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI think that the morning ceremony with a brunch is a great idea,also,what about just a cocktail reception???Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:14:57 GMTcrazykewlhttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx[[b]desbride07 (4/13/2006)[/b][hr]Lets just say DWs are not for everyone but they do cost less for almost the SAME thing if you were to have it here... yes it cuts the amount of people to come to the wedding itself but its awesome... <br><br>I think if you are happy having a DW that is awesome, good for you. I have been to a few and have never found them almost the SAME as any wedding I have attended here. They are different, but aren't we all trying to have unique and different weddings anyway? <br>I personally didn't like the idea of having friends and family have to pay $1200.00 to get to my wedding (and time off work) and knew all those close to me wouldnt be able to come, that's why I didn't do it. <br>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:00:08 GMTjulesmchttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI want to elope!!! This is getting way too stressful!! :DThu, 13 Apr 2006 14:34:16 GMTMrsZatorhttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxLets just say DWs are not for everyone but they do cost less for almost the SAME thing if you were to have it here... yes it cuts the amount of people to come to the wedding itself but its awesome... </P><P>eloping doesnt' mean having to go away... you can go to city hall and get married... then have an informal PAR-TAY afterwards... or have a surprise wedding (those are very "in" right now) plan on having a party but when guests show up its actually your wedding, that way you can "trick" people and where the gift responsiblity is off their shoulders... </P><P>but hey its your day.... have it however you want it... but do not go into debt just for it... if you cannot afford it, wait and have a dream wedding later on!Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:08:01 GMTdesbride07http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI am so late adding to this but I agree with most of the others. You will regret it if you don't do it. Have your dream wedding but stick you your budget.<br>I always thought I wanted to elope, FH wanted the big party. I went to my brothers DW and realised it wasn't for me (he did too). There were so many people he wished could be there but just couldn't make it due to cash restraints. That's when I thought all or nothing: the two of us go away and nobody else or we get hitched here. I am really glad we decided to get married here. I can't wait to have all the people I love in one room with me as we celebrate!Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:49:05 GMTjulesmchttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx<FONT size=3>Sounds lovely! :D</FONT>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:33:04 GMTAlanaBananahttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI think I got it... I was reading some posts from the reception topic.</P><P>They were talking about the same things. And I believe you are all right (minus one...eloping one.) I think I might try the following. Have my ceremony somewhere nice so that we can take the pictures there too (save on transportation costs). Then invite only the VIP guests (Bridal party, the parents. the grandparents and that's it).</P><P>Then later, have a cash bar dance at a hall and serve a late snack (platters of food that my bridal party and I will assemble the night before).</P><P>What do you think?</P><P>Any of you live in Calgary... I need a nice place for a Ceremony. Where I could take nice pictures too? I don't know of many places that would allow us to get married there and not have food expenditures. But it's worth a try.</P><P>Thanks for listening ladies. You are all so smart...Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:28:49 GMTOrcarosehttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxWe are paying for the wedding ourselves. Our parents don't have the finances to help, and I'm a stay at home mom so we don't have alot of extra money. <br><br>We're getting married in a tiny chapel with just our parents and my brothers and our MOH and BM, and our two kids. Then we're having pistures done by a friend who's an amazing amateur photographer, and going out for a nice lunch. There will be 13 adults and 2 kids.<br><br>In a couple years we're going to renew our vows and have a big reception for all our friends and family.<br><br>We're also having my mom's fiance videotape our ceremony, and then after the wedding we're going to use our DVD recorder to make a bunch of copies and send them out to our family with the announcements. That way they still get to see the wedding.<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>AshThu, 13 Apr 2006 10:46:51 GMTash216http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx<FONT size=3>Also, MrsMtobe gives a great suggestion:</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>If you just can't afford it now, start saving, and in 2 or so years have the wedding you want.</FONT>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:05:24 GMTAlanaBananahttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspx<FONT size=3>Right now, I vote elope... if I hadn't already put deposits down, that's what I'd be doing.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Oh, who am I kidding... I want the party, and I'm willing to pay for it. :D</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>You can still make all your dreams a reality - the dress, the colours, the music, the details - and hold an evening cocktail reception instead of a full dinner reception. And you can limit the alcohol choices to red, white, and sparkilng wine if that's what you choose. If you want a morning reception and a late evening reception, then go ahead and do it!</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Keep in mind - you two are a family unit now. There is no "your money" and "his money" now... it's your together, and if it only buys a wedding for his side of the family because yours won't come, then that's the way it is.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>About 80% of the brides here will tell you that they (together with their FHs) are paying for 100% of wedding expenses without the help of their parents. It can be done! :)</FONT>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:04:04 GMTAlanaBananahttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxi say elope!!!</P><P>going away down south or something, do it nice, some resorts offer free weddings... its great... and you get more bang for your buck...Thu, 13 Apr 2006 09:51:39 GMTdesbride07http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxWe are paying for everything ourselves too. I worried alot about the etiquette of everything too but then said if they really care about me then it won't matter how I decide to do it. So if people think I am tacky so be it. </P><P>We are getting married at 3pm at the church then are having a receiving line afterwards then pictures. Our dinner is 6pm but we are only having 65 people for dinner - all immediate family, aunts, uncles, wedding party and our closests friends. </P><P>We are then having a reception with dance and midnight lunch (sandwiches, cheese, veggies, pickles, fried rice, etc). Everyone (200) is welcome to the church and to the dance but a limited number to the dinner. We cannot afford everyone to the dinner and those who know us will understand this. I have been to several weddings where I have not been invited to the dinner and it did not matter I still went to the dance.</P><P>Another option for you is the married in the evening 6 or 7pm with the reception and dance to follow. No dinner required. Just serve a midnight lunch at the dance. Several of my friends and cousins did this and it worked out great.Thu, 13 Apr 2006 09:39:16 GMTbrowneyedhttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI think you should have the wedding you've dreamed of, just do it on a smaller scale. The brunch sounds great, and if it will help you cut costs, then I say go for it! Another plus is most people don't get smashed at brunch, lol so a couple of bottles of wine per table should do ya! :DThu, 13 Apr 2006 09:25:15 GMTfaschahttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI think if you do something small and casual it would be nicer than eloping. There is nothing wrong with small brunch after the ceremony (I love brunches) and then get together with maybe even a larger group at night. Sandwiches and dancing wouldn't cost you that much but gives you the opportunity to celebrate.Thu, 13 Apr 2006 09:15:24 GMTjulia56http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxI think your idea of a brunch is great along with the idea of having an informal party later with food you've prepared. If you really want friends and family to share your day, there is nothing wrong with your idea at all. </P><P>Now, you can still get married in a civil ceremony (wear your gown if you bought one or wear something equally special in your eyes) and throw an informal party later that night. You can still get photos taken etc... too! </P><P>A 3rd option .... have a quiet civil ceremony and wait til your 1st annivesary to throw your wedding... it will give you another year to save money, and throw the kind of wedding you want. This could be where you have your marriage blessed in a church with the bridesmaids etc... and a larger scale wedding with reception and everything.... </P><P>or ............. </P><P>4th option .. wait a year or 2 ... save money, and throw the wedding of your dreams. </P><P>There isnt anything wrong with waiting ... :DThu, 13 Apr 2006 00:11:00 GMTMrsMtobehttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxWe are paying for absolutely everything ourselves, and I am a stay at home mom, so we don't have much money either. We have a budget of approx $4000, adn this is largely due to the fact that we are doing alot ourselve...invites, all the decorations, programs, and the meal...we got a amateur, but very talented photographer who is doing the wedding for at least half of what everyone else charges and a great deal for the DJ. If you are already thinkning now that you might regret eloping, don't do it. If you need to save the money, wait a year or 2, then have your dream day.Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:54:01 GMTcrysandjimhttp://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxWe're university students - we have no money and our parents can't help us out. We're having a tiny wedding: a civil ceremony, photos and then a small dinner. <br><br>We are more concerned with the marriage than the wedding day. <br><br>Hopefully later on, when we have our careers on track and some savings we can have a large celebration. Maybe.<br><br>We're private people, we don't like parties, we don't like spending our hard earned money making everyone but us happy. There's nothing wrong with eloping - or semi-eloping like what we're doing. Do what you can afford to do. If you can't afford a dream wedding - you'll probably regret spending a lot of money on something you're not happy with.<br><br>Good luck!Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:05:56 GMTKatie4http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic12280-6-1.aspxHey guys. I wrote here a while back about how my parents refused to pay for the wedding because my fiancé and I have been living together for four years and blah blah blah. I have gotten over that.</P><P>But now... that means that all the costs are on my fiancé and I. And unfortunately, we are not millionaires. I have dreamt my whole life of the nice big wedding. I already have all the little details planned out. I have my wedding party all picked and they have all accepted (a moh and 4 bridesmaids). I know the music, the theme, the dj, the decorations EVERYTHING</P><P>The only thing I am cringing at is the price of the reception. I am skeptical because there is a large probability that my parents won't make it down. Along with my family that live in QC. So... I will be paying thousands of dollars for his family only.</P><P>Long story short... i was wondering... is there a way that I could do the ceremony, the pictures and dance but no food without seeming greedy and selfish. Along with this thought, is it normal or ethical to ask people to get up and early to get ready for a morning ceremony and then go home or do whatever and then come back like four hours later?</P><P>I initially thought of having a morning ceremony, a brunch (cheaper by like almost $5000) then having a huge party but only serve platters of snacks (that I would prepare myself at home) at night. I can't afford the dinner. And I hate the idea of booze at the wedding unless it's like champagne. I don't want to seem greedy. i really don't. </P><P>I am so discouraged with all this, we might elope. And I don't want to look back a few years from now and say... I wish ... Man we should've... Any of you feel completely baffled with all this planning.</P><P>I know one of you brilliant women will have alternative ideas. Thanks for letting me vent. I didn't know I was so upset.</P><P>Happy EasterWed, 12 Apr 2006 21:13:58 GMTOrcarose