Wedding Fundraisers? Thoughts?

View quoted message We cut costs on certain things so my niece is huge into photography so she's doing the video. My FH's cousin is doing the photography. My niece is also doing my make up (she's huge into that too.) We're keeping decor and bouquets simple and making them. Along with wedding favours. I hit up David's Bridal during their $99 sale and got a dress for $99. It needs one simple alteration that my mom can do. Get other people involved. We are renting a venue but it was super cheap $150 for the night and $29/pp for catering. Cake is the next thing on our list we're dealing with that on the weekend. I was able to get a deal with a DJ because I happen to be acquainted with him but also it's off season so double discount there. Still stressful though! I think if having more time do the 50/50 and some other stuff...but also don't be afraid to ask people like to be involved and help where they can.

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Very well put!

That sounds like such a good idea, I wish I had of thought about that before I booked in with my vendor! Darn... could work with photographers though. I am a photographer myself and when I started out with weddings for a while I did things for next to no $$ just to gain experience

View quoted message It is for sure a lot! I say if you want to do fundraisers like bale sales or 50/50s go for it. Look on Pinterest or Google for other ideas....im sure you're not the first person!
And yes it is a lot. We are doing a big ceremony but a small dinner and a medium sized party..not doing alcohol just deserts and non alcoholic drinks

View quoted message It is hard with a large fam for sure! We are getting married at a cottage/campground thing and I even made it 2 hrs from my home town to try and get away with inviting the people “I have to invite” and them maybe not being able to make it, I don’t know if that’s sounds cruel lol but the struggle is real. Also renting out the campground was actually a lot cheaper than a big venue and cheaper for the guests to stay if they want! It’s just the added costs of having to pay for the stuff the big venues have included... like linen rentals, catering (or someone to cook for you) or arranging people to bring stuff, and DJs, alcohol, photography ! It’s a lot haha

I feel you on that one. Our wedding is in October.... and both have rather large families. Like for instance we were planning a very small intimate potluck reception..and even that is just close family and our bridal party.
We will be for sure having a stag and doe. Plus doing things like a church wedding and a hall reception rather then a fancy venue.

View quoted message I love this idea !! I wish it was more acceptable around here for sure but it really makes it enjoyable for people to give, without them having to front the money for no reason!

View quoted message Thanks Peggy, but unfortunately is seemingly impossible to scale back the wedding with such large family... Budgeting is a strength of mine, I’ve always been very good at it, but there is only so much you can cut back on, my massive family has to eat, etc and I am really close with every one of them (my mom has 6 siblings and each of those siblings have 3-5 kids each) I also have 4 parents, which is exhausting my resources because even though I try and make my wedding as small as possible I still require certain amounts of things, and my “do not have to invite” list is very small.

I’m not looking to raise a ton of money here, but every bit helps. I’ve already been DIY’ing everything I can, but costs like renting pitta-potties because the venue I’ve already sunk money into is now requiring it because of the volume of guests, etc.

View quoted message Thanks Leah for your input! I’ve been trying to live in DIY world and it is helping, but saving a bit of extra cash always helps. Budgeting is a strength of mine, I’ve always been very good at it, what I am struggling with most is the fact that I have a literally massive family and I am really close with every one of them (my mom has 6 siblings and each of those siblings have 3-5 kids each) I also have 4 parents, which is exhausting my resources because even though I try and make my wedding as small as possible I still require certain amounts of things. Wedding planning is hard haha

Congratulations on your engagement! Welcome to the Wedding Wire community!

Fundraising for life events is a part of adulting, but should be treated delicately.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the point of a stag and doe to fundraise? So there's that...and it sounds like you and your significant other have a good send of what needs to be done to raise the funds. We're not having a stag and doe, but we have had finance/budget meetings to discuss what needs to be done to make things happen.

I would say whatever you do, have fun with it. And reassess your priorities to fit within your budget. We had a discussion and outlines our 3 must haves, and 3 things we could do without, and it was so helpful. We also live in a DIY world, so life hack wherever/whenever you can to help make your vision come alive.

Whether it is a blatant ask for money or a 'we're having a bake sale, buy things', it's still quite gauche in my (and etiquette guru's) opinion. People still feel the requirement to give, whether they want what you are selling or not, because of what it is for - and that social pressure is unavoidable.

If you can't afford what you are wanting, it's time to scale back the wedding.

We had to do that with our wedding. Everyone has unexpected costs, both wedding and non-wedding related. You have to decide what's really important to you, and cut in areas that aren't.

Completely normal over here in Manitoba! We have Manitoba Wedding Socials that are one massive party in the spring time at a hall. We sell alcohol, 50/50, have raffles/silent auctions, and a texas mickey draw! They can end up raising thousands of dollars and everyone does them here (most of the money is made off of people buying alcohol).

I don't know if it would be perceived the same in Nova Scotia, but you at very least could do a 50/50 without getting too many people to turn their nose up at you.