money woes

[Guest]

My guest list is 250, and my entire wedding budget is $5000.00. Should I consider a cake reception, with dancing, or is this not acceptable?

[WS Admin]

Hello,

Cake receptions are perfectly acceptable, particularly if you have your reception at a time of day when a full meal is not expected. For example, if you have your wedding at 1:00PM. followed by a 2:30PM-5:30 reception, no meals will be expected. A reception like this is often called a "Tea Reception" and you would most likely want to provide some sort of finger foods and the cake. The nice thing about this type of food is that you can purchase it yourself at a grocery store or prepare it ahead of time, to keep within your tight budget.

E.

[Guest]

You can have whatever you'd like... How about thinking of having a late AM or early aft reception. Then you can have just tea sandwiches and light inexpensive items. I think 5,000 should nicely cover a wedding. Ask your reception place what ideas they have to coinside with your finances.

[Guest]

I have a tip for tight or not so tight budgets... I wanted a plain satin wedding gown with a train and no poofy skirt. Since most gowns are beaded, etc. I was dreading searching for a gown through all of those. I purchased a Vera Wang bridesmaid dress and had it made in ivory. Exactly what I wanted for a lot less money and it's a VERA WANG!

[Toy]

Hi I think that a cake reception would be fine. If these guests really would like to witness your union and the commencemnt of your lives together, they will be there. Just let guests know that this will not be a catered event. Especially out of town guest so that they are prepared to go out to dinner afterwards or make necessary provisions for themselves or any young children.

You have to do what's best for you and your husband to be!


Good Luck

Toy

email:Latoya_Walter@duet.net

[JnRoberts]

What i suggest is that you have a family & close friends only dinner after the wedding, i know a couple who did that, and on the invitations for the other friends they said Please join us for cake and dancing at such and such time, and it turned out really well.. The most important people were at dinner and they were able to keep everything at there buget..
Good Luck

[Dandalion]

Hey!
My fiance and I are getting married at 2pm with the main purpose being that we can't afford to feed 500 guests. A 10am, 2pm, or 8pm wedding/reception time should deter the impression that you will be serving a meal. I'm just having cake, mints and nuts at the reception. If you go with any of the above times, the guests will have already eaten breakfast, lunch, or dinner before coming to the wedding. Just be sure you and your fiance eat before the wedding so neither of you gets sick!
Smiles,
Amanda

[Sweetie]

I need to know what do I do first in preparing for my Wedding which is August 07, 2004. My budget is $5000

[FinallyPlanning]

make a guest list, find a site for ceremony, reception, find out how much they will cost. there's lots of checklists and stuff on the website...check them out they'll help. Oh, and decide who will marry you.

[cuzndotdot]

I've been doing lots of research on this topic. I would say to do one of two things:
1)Shorten your guest list.
2)Make your ceremony/reception an off-time, when they wouldn't want to eat a full meal. Serve snacks and cake. This could save LOTS!

[kelcies]

I know how you feel. Most of us are in the same boat. Who says you need alot of food? Make it simple, make the food yourselves or have relatives help you out. There is always someone who wants to help you out. Take advantage of that by having them bring food. Do sandwiches and salads. You really don't have to go all out.

As far as the cake goes: My cousin had all of our aunts each bring a couple cheesecakes each. The wedding couple doesn't like regular cake so it fit them perfectly. There were tons of different flavors and there was lots leftover. We decorated them with loose flowers. All of the guests liked it too. Or you can try many smaller cakes.

If you haven't purchased your wedding dress yet, check out Ebay. They have all kinds of them and you can find good deals. Also, check out the local Bridal shops for good deals. A local Davids Bridal in my area just had dresses marked down to $99.

I'm getting married August of 2005 also and will be using some of these tips myself. If you have any questions please contact me anytime at kelciestumbo@myprincesshouse.com

Good luck in the planning. :o