Costs

View quoted message Its a buffet style, cheapest catering I could find at $22/person - we get to keep leftovers so Ive also debated about bringing the food back out for midnight lunch
I estimated the tuxs at $500 cause Fiance wants to buy a formal suit and we have 2 sons who also need rentals - again its estimated cause I have no idea where hes planning on going for those.
We plan to do a toonie bar, write honeymoon fund on a jar and cross our fingers lol thankfully we have a free bartender for the night and my MIL is supplying the wines. We estimated 75 people so it could also be less and 12 of them are children under 8 😊

Bachelor/Bachelorette's should be covered by the wedding party. If not, let them know you want something that won't cost you anything.

My fiance's tux was around $240 at Moore's, so that could save a bit there.

Are you doing a sit down dinner? What about having an appetizer reception to save some money there.

You could also sell drink tickets to help recoup the cost of the alcohol. I hear people don't make extra doing that but it's just a way to cover the cost of the alcohol.

Finances are a tricky situation! Hope it turns around soon for you!

Oh dear Finances are definitely a HUGE stressor. I'm hoping things pick up shortly for the both of you. Is he able to pick up a side job to help bring in some extra cash during this lull time? What about having a buck/stag and doe to help alleviate some of those stressors?

I think you can get rid of bachelorette party cost- that's covered by your bridesmaids and it can be as simple & easy as a brunch/spa day!

the midnight buffet? i'd say skip it.

Thanks for the input ladies. We have a pretty large wedding party (8) so we figured $20-$40 per person with their gifts but ya it might just be easier to do them after - we havnt even thought about a honeymoon budget yet either cause the wedding is in November and Christmas will be coming up so we plan to do something in 2019.
Our venue is for the ceremony and reception so the backdrop is being made from PVC pipe and its our focal point for the hand fasting/behind the table.
I also wasnt sure about bachelor party, if there would be a cost from us there.
Its been tight, we have friends doing our photos and Djing so we could cut costs as well. Its definately been eye opening about how to save while supporting a family of 4, I get stressed out late at night but I know its all going to work out.

I agree that if your budget is really tight right now just cut back on bridal part gifts. I was a bridesmaids for a friend and they actually waited till they got back from their honeymoon to give us our gifts as they wanted to pick us all up something small on their trip.

t’s nice to have something to give to them on the day or the night before but you can also give it to them after the wedding to relieve some of the financial burden before the wedding.

Maybe don't do a midnight lunch?

I agree with Erin. You usually don't pay anything for the bachelor/bachelorette party, that should be covered by your wedding party. Maybe rethink your backdrop as well?

I think this is a pretty standard budget. You could probably cut down the cost of the gifts for your bridal party members. You also don't have to pay anything, usually, for your bachelorette/bachelor party. That is normally paid for by the wedding party.
I think you just need to keep saving and hope that your FH's income starts flowing in more regularly soon.

SORRY! It didnt upload to the original post!