megssweet1

Sorry to hear! Maybe mil can help? Or even the grandmother? I budgeted 1500 for my mom. I don't want her to stress because she is a worrier especially regarding finances. Bottom line. It's your wedding! I'm not a bridezilla who wants every detail perfect, nor do I think it's a great idea to finance it all. But consider the potential regrets you may have by cost cutting certain things. I always thought other than location, food would be my number one. But now I'm realizing having the moments captured beautifully by a great photographer means the most to me. So I'm looking for ways to sacrifice in other areas. Do you have a date yet? Location?

Ok dreams ladies, I have a trade question. Do you think I'll have success trading the Dreams photographer/videographer, album with 50 photos, and wedding video for a small lighted dance floor? Any chance a sound system too? What are your thoughts?

Do you have a friend who is? My friend is gonna help me brainstorm and also with some of the computer stuff. But I'm thinking that I'll have a DIY party. I'll prob end up with 5-10 girls there. We'll just all DIY together and hopefully knock it all out in one evening! I'm not ultra crafty either, by the time I've researched everything to death, made a plan, and done a project, it would have been a better use of time to just buy stuff! Lol! But I think a DIY party will be fun! A few bottles of wine and maybe a fruit plate, and it's just a party (with activities) lol

Yeah, I've thought of that too. I have mixed feelings on OOT bags. I think it's a cute idea and I'd have fun doing it. But there's the cost and logistics of delivery also. If we were having over 50 guests I think I'd forgo it. But with 30-40 I think it'd be nice. At this point I'm undecided.

Yes! They do offer a complimentary package! I looked into that again yesterday. But with all the inclusions with the package we chose, it's not worth it. I'm going to try to negotiate trades for the few things included we don't plan to use for the few add ons we'll have.

Yeah, ever since I found the photographer I want, I started getting concerned about cost. Ultimately, I don't want to sacrifice the photos. I make scrapbooks and am a bit of an amateur photographer myself. So we'll make it work. We are making payments through the travel agent website on our trip. If I do OOT and other stuff like that, it'll be kinda spread out. I will have a pretty nice bonus in February, so that'll go to the final payments. My FI makes a good living, but I just wanted it to come back a bit less.

Ok here's my breakdown so far: Resort where we are having the ceremony 6 nights: ~$3600 Resort where we are honeymooning 6 nights: ~$5200 Ceremony package : $2999 Attire: $2000 Mom's trip: ~$1500 Photographer for 4 hours of Wedding and 2 location TTD + all rights to images: ~$4k Airfare: ~$2k Favors, OOT, Invites, Misc: $2k Spending cash: ~$2k Total: $25,299 S*&%, ladies, I don't see anywhere I can really cut! There are a few things maybe over estimated like airfare and spending cash. But I may have underestimated misc, and possible attire. Also, I don't think my photography package will include any prints, and I haven't factored his wedding band, our gifts to each other, or the cost at the first resort for his son! Good god! I know we can make it work, but I wanted to come out under $20k if only because I said doing a destination wedding would cost less! Also we are not doing an AHR. I think if we would have done a VERY small DW far away, we would have. But we live in Phoenix and are getting married in Cancun. It's a 3 hour flight. So we invited everyone, if they can make it, awesome, if not that is totally fine. (Actually, I hope we come in under 40 total) Which btw, I also didn't factor in. Our ceremony package includes cocktail hour and dinner reception for 20, it's 93.24/pp over 20!

Thank you!!

Lol, I haven't emailed mine yet, but did notice the contract even had errors in it! I shouldn't laugh, but I'm sure it'll be an adventure trying to decipher all the emails!

Lol I gotta try harder!

Ok, this thread just totally freaked me out! I'll post my breakdown later.

Oh great idea!

Hmmm, I'm good with beer, a glass of wine, or maybe vodka/tonic

Omg! I never thought of this! Where do you find out about contests?

I'm not even halfway there!

Thanks for starting this thread! I'll have lash extensions, but will def want some makeup too. But keep in mind your photog will be able to edit out blemishes, under eye circles, etc!

Lol

Sarah, Yay, congrats! I checked out your site, awesome job! I didn't do one outside of the wedding coordinator. They group I used also provides a website, but I think the customization is minimal compared to a regular wedding site. Can't wait to see your OOT links and progress! Are you doing any DIY projects? I've decided to do my invites (along with a bundh of other stuff)! I totally said I would not do ANY, but this site totally sucked me in. Also, I'm spening a ton of money on a photog for wedding and TTD, so I decided to try to save a bit elsewhere.

Thanks ladies! You both pretty much echoed how I feel. I just don't know yet. I looked at their galleries today. I think "A" has better photos on her site, but I'm pretty sure "M" has awesome photos too. I'm going to think about it a bit. Ashley, I feel that way about my wedding and TTD, but not quite as concerned about engagement shoot. We'll see. . .

Oh thanks! I'll check it out once I reach 150!

Really great! Thanks for sharing!

Muneeera0302 ok, you too! Can't wait to see!

Muneera0302, Sounds like you'll be busy too! But with that size bridal party, I'm sure you can get everything done no prob! I think it'll be fun to have a craft day! I want to do mine soon ish because I want to make my invitations and I am hoping to get them out by the end of October. However, I am planning to do passport style invites and I think we need our engagement photos done first! Those are in October as well! Haha!

I get overwhelmed with my to do projects that have nothing to do with the wedding! But I'm going to "hire" a friend who is really crafty. We are going to brainstorm and she will come up with the best way to do things. But then I'm planning to have a little "wedding DIY" party! I'm hoping to have maybe like 6 girls and knock most of the projects out in one day! LOL, maybe that's ambitious! What things did you make? My list of intended projects includes: Invites Programs Menus for reception Some type of fingerprint Guestbook OOT bags Wedding branded stuff for bags Possibly tee shirts Am I forgetting anything??? **SIGH**