Wedding Advice

[MRT144]

What are some good tips for getting the most for your money when planning a wedding? What are money traps in the planning process?

[DanS]

My only advice is to avoid a bride who wants to have an elaborate wedding.

[MRT144]

My only advice is to avoid a bride who wants to have an elaborate wedding.

Already done. Neither of us wants that. The question is where can we easily cut expenses that aren't obvious unless you've had a wedding yourself.

[Boris Godunov]

My only advice is to avoid a bride.

Fixed!

[Asher]

Just go to city hall and get the paper.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

I think I can see a big car crash just waiting to happen.

[MRT144]

Just go to city hall and get the paper.

But theres always an after-party.

[Boris Godunov]

If you get married, I'm going to punch you in the face.






The above statement is not a lamely transparent attempt to get into your signature

[MRT144]

If you get married, I'm going to punch you in the face.






The above statement is not a lamely transparent attempt to get into your signature

I'm engaged, I want to get married, and I doubt you, of all people, can throw a punch.

[Boris Godunov]

I know for a fact I could take down Imran.

[MRT144]

I know for a fact I could take down Imran.

So can 6 billion other people. A steely gaze can floor him.

[-Jrabbit]

There's virtually no part of the deal that isn't outrageously overpriced if you do it conventionally. Figure out what you can do yourselves, and do it. We had a courthouse wedding, nothing fancy, and splurged on a couple of big parties at my place (which was big enough and had a yard and basement to handle overflow).

And leverage your other resources where possible. Someone contributed a case of good champagne as a wedding gift. Another close friend was our photographer and donated her services (including film and the first round of prints, back when digital cameras didn't exist). I know others who have friends in dance/big bands or who DJ.

We went traditional with the family dinner at a fancy restaurant, and had a real wedding cake, and rented a Town Car for the weekend (no limo). All in all, it was pretty low-key and affordable, but I think everyone had a good and memorable time. I know I did.

Mind, all this was thrown together in a little over a month. We made the decision to go for it, and we went.

Congrats, and best of luck!

[Elok]

It will always cost more than initially planned, simply because you WILL underestimate the number of people you have to invite, assuming you don't just elope. Other than that, well, I assume you're not going with matching tasteful plasticware or any of that crap the bridal industry tries to foist on people. Go to a party store for decent table covers and napkins (assuming you're going even that formal) and rent out a church hall/Lions Club hall/whatever for a shindig. This should be obvious, but serving booze at all will send costs through the roof, in addition to upping the risk of a guest acting out and screwing up your big day.

At my wedding we just had some wine punch to go beside the regular punch and lemonade. My dad, who's an excellent cook, did all the hors d'oeuvres (much of it was just premade stuff from Trader Joe's). Everyone said it was awesome.

[-Jrabbit]

I disagree with Elok on the drinks. He's right about the cost, but I consider alcohol a necessity.

[DaShi]

Don't wait until your vows to mention your herpes status. That never goes over well.