Unemployed wedding planning

I'm in exactly the same situation! I lost my job in November, and we started wedding planning in February. We're using a small loan to cover the cost of the wedding, with hopes that FI will find a job when he graduates (in June) and we'll be able to pay back the loan right away. We've kept everything under $10,000, so it's not too steep of a task.

 

I moved to Canada to be with him, since I'm not working anyway. All the "extras" for the wedding come from my unemployment checks, which luckily gives us enough to live on and a little extra.

 

The time off of work has definitely given me the DIY time that I needed to stay on budget. Sometimes I think I'm lucky to be getting paid (even though I'm not working) and able to plan a less-stressful wedding!

Those are great money saving tips. My FI and I don't live together. I still live at home. He has his own apartment and he lives out of state. My saving money tips so far:

 

Another good resource for dresses is Used Wedding Dresses, Used Wedding Gowns, Buy & Sell Used, Designer & Sample Bridal Dresses | PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. They have used dresses as well as brand new dresses for much less than their original cost. Another way that I am trying to save is on postage (which can really add up). I am not sending out any RSVPs. It will all be done through our wedding website. I will put a little explanation telling people this. I am not having any BMs or groomsmen so that cuts back on flowers. Only one bout for the groom and one bouquet for me. We will get different gifts for mothers. I am not sure if they will get corsages. I know most of my money will be spent on the photographer and the venue. I found a photographer that I love and I want her, so I must have her.

 

I tell my FI he is very lucky he doesn't have to buy a ring cause I dont wear jewelry so we can definite use that money in another way, such as the photographer that I want.

My prayers are with you - I know I am worried that what you are going through could happen to me any day. Try to stay positive and all will work out.

Aisha -

 

I know the feeling! We have pushed our wedding back (I'm in Jersey too) to 2012 because we want to have our dream wedding in Mexico and I have been unemployed for a bit over a YEAR! It is ESPECIALLY hard in this area of the country I feel. I constantly am questioning myself. I went to college, I interned, I did everything right and so not having a job is just so confusing to me but I just wanted to send you well wishes because I too am in your boat! My FI also has a very stable job and he's been carrying the load for all of these months. If I wasn't convinced marriage was for me before, nothing has convinced me more than how he has stepped up and been there for me during unemployment. I TRULY believe now, Through Sickness and Health and whether RICH or POOR. Considering we were bringing in well over 150k when it was both of us and now that is cut in half...I just don't know what I would do without him!

 

I actually just had an interview today but it's for a short term project. I am hoping it will lead to longer work though. We'll see! Fingers crossed!

 

I hope you find something soon so you can be excited. =(

Hi Aisha,

 

I know how you feel, I only have a part time job, and have been hunting for a full time job for what feels like forever. My husband to be just finished his masters and luckily found a job, but he is still on the bottom of the totem poll as we say, so the pay is not that great. All that to say that money is tight., every available cent is allocated toward the wedding.

We really had to cut back on everything. We hardly ever go out, no splurging. But we are keeping it together, but the wedding of my dreams has been scaled back significantly, but even through all that, I still feel like i found some beautiful stuff, and we have come out on top and on budget by some small miracle. We have one last bill for the florist and then we are in the clear...aside for what we spend when we are actually in Mexico.

I think that as long as you and your fiance discuss the expenses together, and agree on what is important, everything will be wonderful!

good luck on finding a new job if you are searching

i agree- you will be fine. You'll just have to do more DIY projects

@ Everyone thanks for all of the advice and words of wisdom it really helps.

 

@ krizstyling, I know exactly what you are speaking about, I have been out of work for almost the same time that you have been and I am not getting any unemployment. My FI had to pay my student loans last month. It is so ironic that I have racked up so much in student debt but I can't get a job, thank God I have him cause he has helped me out of some very serious situations where bills and the like are concerned. I also agree with you that I feel like things are a little bit more harder over here. I went to law school in WA and my friends all have jobs, some of them were laid off and most of them are now employed again, and this is within a three month period. I've been unemployed since last June and nothing. But I just keep praying to God for faith and patience that I can just continue believing and knowing that I will get a job soon. It's like you said richer or poorer... Well, at least we have this forum where we can share our stories and lift each other's spirits and share our knowledge to make the burdens lighter.

 

I hope that the project works out for you and that you get this gig. Anything helps, I know!

Hey, another unemployed jersey girl here. Well I have a part-time job now but it's still not what I was bringing in before. I'm a teacher and seriously things are tough! I'm really hoping that the governor's proposal for teacher's to retire but Aug. 1st and still get their pensions/health care pans out so there's more openings next yr. If not, I have to get some other kind of job. FI has been really good but we're stressing out since we're having a house built! Thankfully we both saved a good amount of money and my parents are loaning us money. He's also a hard worker and always willing to work overtime. Still planning and spending has been stressful. I try every which way to cut costs...coupons, sales, comparable shopping. Also, our rsvps are coming in and we've already received a few wedding gifts (cash!) which has been a nice help. Good luck to all of you in the same boat!

Aisha, i know you stated you are an attorney but has worked in the non-profit sector. as a legal secretary currently working as legal/executive secretary i'm looking to get back into the legal secretary field.

while job hunting on monster.com i found a job placement site that lists jobs for attorneys as well.

roberthalflegal

i know there are other special legal job placement sites but i can't think of them at the moment. i don't know if you've tried job placement agencies before but they aren't bad. they don't charge job seekers for their services either.

i don't know what you mainly practice but i can try to keep an eye out.

also i constantly stalk preownedweddingdresses.com!!!

also for my fellow Jersey brides!! i'm not sure what thread this would be appropriate for but since some of you are here.....

 

i know the husband and wife photography team david and amy lau located in new jersey are having two contests which end april 30th as follows:

 

Giving Back 2010 Wedding Contest for TWO couples!

We want to give back to the community by giving away not one, but two free weddings this year!

 

Couple #1: One Local Wedding (New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia) in 2010 (subject to our availability)

The winning couple will receive the following: (valued at $4000+)

 

Wedding Day photo coverage by David and Amy (up to 9 hours)

High resolution files

Photos will be displayed on an online gallery for 6 months

Your story will also be shared on the blog.

 

We want to hear about your life, your wedding, who you are marrying, and what he/she means to you. Tell us why your wedding will be unique, and how important photography is in your life. The couple with the story that moves us the most wins the package.

 

Send your entry to [email protected] with Subject Titled: “Giving Back 2010 Local Weddingâ€

Please provide the following:

 

Your Contact Information

Wedding Date

Wedding Location

Your Love Story

Photo Of The Couple

Please send your entries by April 30th. Winners will be announced soon there after!

 

Couple #2: One destination wedding (airfare, hotel, and car rental will be charged for David and Amy) in 2010 (subject to our availability)

The winning couple will receive the following: (valued at $4000+)

 

Wedding Day photo coverage by David and Amy

Day After Session with David and Amy

High resolution files

Photos will be displayed on an online gallery for 6 months

Your story will also be shared on the blog.

 

We want to hear about your life, your wedding, who you are marrying, and what he/she means to you. Tell us why your wedding will be unique, and how important photography is in your life. The couple with the story that moves us the most wins the package.

 

Send your entry to [email protected] with Subject Titled: “Giving Back 2010 Destination Weddingâ€

Please provide the following:

 

Your Contact Information

Wedding Date

Wedding Location

Your Love Story

Photo Of The Couple

Please send your entries by April 30th. Winners will be announced soon there after!

 

their photography is pretty amazing! link to their blog with contest info here:

 

contest info

 

link to their wedding portfolio here:

 

weddings

 

let me know if anyone enters and/or wins!!