How to plan on a dime

Thanks again Melissa!

Yes! Where are you located?

Try "GTA wedding buy and sell" I'm also in the "barrie and area wedding buy and sell" because my parents live up there and can go on missions for me. I'm sure if these area's aren't ideal for you, running a seatch would populate some things!

ETA: dumb question: I remember you said London area. try looking up similar wording for your area!

I haven't head of the facebook groups for swapping or buys stuff, do you have any example groups I could look up perhaps?

My fingers are crossed for you, my caterer BTW is extremely inexpensive and amazing food ! My photographer is amazing and very reasonable packages

Also- kijiji for used decor, and facebook buy/ sell groups....the buy sell group get a little catty, so prepare yourself, but I have found some great things there, so it is worth a little anger popping up on my newsfeed.

Second hand decor is a life saver! Less work, and most have only been used once, and treated pretty gently. AND if you are like me, you will turn around and sell it all after to recover some cost!

The beer and wine should cut the cost a good amount- they would likely run it as a "consumption bar" and you pay based on what people drink. But it is a wedding, not a keg party, so most people will not guzzle them back like crazy..liquor drinks go much quicker, and drive up the bills fast. As long as you offer drinks, you are good to go

And cake cutting fees. be aware of the hidden fees!!!

Another thing I thought of it to have your reception and ceremony in the same place. Cuts down transportation, set up and decor costs. (and stress, but stress is free )

Also, have a look at lighting. DJs will ofen offer lighting packages, which DO add to the party feeling, but it is a cost that can be cut or reduced depending on what your venue has, or what you can find in your second hand search.

Sounds like you are on the right track without our help! Good work!

Won your dress!! That's AMAZING!!!! And $90 is REALLY cheap for a rental, great find!

Thanks Valerie! I am trying to keep the list small and my expectations as well but I forgot all the little things and was focusing more on the big stuff and didn't realize how much the little ones cometo once they are all added up! lol will need to keep my eye on the overall prize, I have some time so I hope that will help me lock in some deals when I see them Thanks again for the help!

The second hand decor is a good idea, I might peek in on kijiji or something like that. We want to get married in the fall so the pics will be nice with all the fall colours, perhaps September month-end. Going to do buffet because I have a bunch of big eaters and a tiny haute couteur plate of food would have some ppl up in arms, this way they can pig out all they want lol

As far as the dress goes I won my dress two weekends ago at the London Bridal show I just need to have it altered Hubby to be wants to just rent something and then not have to deal with anything and it's only around 90$ which isn't too bad in comparison to dress prices!

For booze I know there are a few places that will offer an open bar and frankly they are mostly all beer and wine so I will see if they will drop the price a lil for that instead thanks Melissa!

Thanks for the TIP, I will try to DIY as much as I can but the biggest budget busters seem to be venue/food and photographers and I don't want to chance the pics being in the wrong hands or anyone getting any kind of food poisoning Thanks for the info.. just need to find a locale that will fit 35-40 keep your fingers crossed for me!

I am from London and my wedding is just outside of london ... and to be honest it is very hard to plan a wedding on a small budget ... I believe keeping the guest list small is the best way to keep your budget low.. everything these days seems to cost an arm and a leg .... also my best advice is do as many DIY as you can to cut some of the costs oh and shop around ... and go local ... there is alof of small business that just want to get their name out there that do amazing work .... and are so much more personal with you because they are small and homegrown !!

Hi Nichea!

Em gave some great starting points for you! I can relate to planning on a small budget, and I can honestly tell you the only way to have a truly beautiful dream wedding with a small budget is to cut the guest list. Weddings are darn expensive- and you will always get what you pay for. An intimate wedding with your nearest and dearest will be much nicer than a large wedding where corners have been cut.

For me I have been buying second had decor from oher brides, that are either re-workable or fit my theme already. I was particular about my guest list, and have cut things like flower arrnagements in favour of more cost friendly decor.

Other things that can be cut without making things feel "cheap"

Flowers: basic are all you need. And silks are not always cheaper, but get quotes for both and see!

Photographer: You will get what you pay for, but you can always look for a package with one shooter, and fewer hours of coverage

Season: Venues will offer discounts in off season

Buffet: usually costs a good deal less than a plated meal

TIme: brunch and luncheon weddings will cost less, but if youare looking for caviar style that might not be yout ideal.

Attire: second hand or sample sales! OR go crazy and see what you can find at an alternative store to a bridal salon (I know a bride here got a lovely gown from ModCloth). Groom can wear a nice suit rather than a tux, which costs less....and often a nice suit is worth buying as an investment, instead of renting.

Booze: Opt of beer and wine only rather than full open bar. Maybe offer a signature drink if your budget will allow.

I'll keep thinking through the day and add if I come up with more! Hope this helps!

It's great to look for cost savings, and Em had lots for great links and suggestions! But I think it's also important to be realistic about your budget or it can get away from you quickly and then you're left footing a bill you can't afford. With weddings things often pop up and you may save in one spot, but end up spending more in another. The more realistic you are upfront the less stressed you will be in the long run!

Hi Nichea! Nice to meet you! I'm so glad you're asking about this! It's not always easy to save when you're planning a wedding, but there are definitely ways to do it You can take a look at these discussions other brides have started in the community:

Have a wonderfull wedding with the lowest budget

Budget brides

Where to start and on a budget

There's also this test I made that is quite useful for ideas and see what your options are: Tell me how's your wedding and I'll tell you how much it will cost

Let me know how you like these ideas and we'll try to help you make it happen! What style of wedding are you going for? Will it be big or an intimate wedding?