The Cut Rate Wedding

Maybe this'll end up in the big debates, but, here goes...

Sunday I did a cut rate wedding. Here's what the bride did:

Centerpiecies: She and her friends made them. Eight tables at $10 each - $80.

Wedding Gown - she made it herself. Materials - About $500.

The groom wore a suit.

Caterer:$25/head for 80 people - $2,000. The food was excellent and this caterer is the premiere recomended by the venue.

Favors: She and he friends made them for about $5 each. 80 of them cost her $400.

Wedding Cake - A gift from and made by mom. No cost to the bride.

Hall - Sunday rental fee - $800. Innovative to pick Sunday. She saved herself about $400.

Table/Chair Rental - $250

Photographer - her sister; donated and she is a professional photographer. I've worked with her sister before and that's how I came into the picture.

Taxes and incidentals: About $250

Grand Total (without DJ): Just under $4,300.

Grand Total with DJ: Just under $5,100. They overshot their budget by less that $100.

I chaged them $800; $600 for the four hour wedding, which included a ceremony and $200 for a montage. The montage took me less than 20 minutes to put together because the bride gave me the photos on a CD in the order she wanted them displayed and it was only one song. Because space was limited, I put the screen and display up about ten minutes before we were supposed to show the mintage and took it down right after the montage.

I am seeing more and more of these in this area. Some people may say that these brides are being cheap, but I say that they are being innovative. Under other circumstances it could have cost her $25,000 or more.

These prices were shared with me by the bride because I asked. I knew that many of these things she and her friends were doing themselves.

her sister is getting married in May of 2008. Same type of wedding and same DJ.

Also, the venue is less than 10 minutes from my house.

[Devil's Advocate] As the cost of DJing has come down, savvy brides may expect the fees to come down as well. Look at what this bride did. She did much of the work herself and Tom reports the wedding was just fine. Would she have booked a $1200 DJ? Given what she spent on other parts of the wedding, I'd guess she wouldn't have. But she booked an $800 DJ and I'll bet Tom's net profit was greater than if he was charging $1200 and carrying more of the old classic DJ setup (CD players, CDs, amp, non-powered speakers, etc.). Interesting thread, Tom. [/Devil's Advocate]

Tom; You Loser!!! :sqwink: (jk my long-distance brother) Good post...thx

One day the Fathers who are paying for the $30,000-$50,000 weddings are going to tell the kids they'll give them $20,000 cash and a $5,000 honeymoon trip to not to have a wedding, just get married.

If and when that happens, a $600 wedding is going to look pretty appealing to all of us. The problem with cash cows is sooner or later they run out of milk.

Just a thought. :sqerr:

Rick H

Really guys (and gals), with the spiraling cost of housing, spending 20K on a one-day event doesn't make as much sense as using that same 20K for a down payment on a house.

You really can't fault these people. They need to live somewhere after they're married much more than they need to party on the day they get married.

Case by case basis. Stay in business.

Tom: A most excellent post.

I applaud this Bride on her creativity and sense of financial responsibiltiy.

Sounds like many of our clients.

Kirby

Great post. The best part is she put whole event together on a budget. Which means all of the gift money goes straight to the bank. I know a couple thats still paying off their wedding debt from 4 years ago.

I give you the 'cut rate wedding' :)

This was my niece's, August, 2004:

The DJ was cheap, and drove 700+ miles round trip with a 100 year old Grandma, and lots of equipment for two venues. Worked all prior night rolling cold cuts with the bride and her party, then spent 16 hours at one venue, doing the decorations, making food and DJ'ing. None of my neat cabinetry could fit into the Mustang with Grandma and her wheelchair, so we winged it.


Total cost to bride and groom after I ripped up the check they tried to give me -- less than 3k, with 2 venues :)

I'm the one with the cool tan -- my nephew in orange would be my bodyguard, and I picked up the 'roadies' somewhere throughout the day :sqlaugh:


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$500 for materials? Wow.. I've seen gorgeus wedding dresses for about half of that.

Is there a reason she made it herself?

Sorry, I thought those were pics from a Peter Merry wedding...thx

Sorry, I thought those were pics from a Peter Merry wedding...thx

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Good One...that gave me a good laugh!

Sorry, I thought those were pics from a Peter Merry wedding...thx

Ahhh, Pete doesn't have the ability to chug down beer like I do, and then train a couple kids on my software, and delegate DJ duties to them in the classy VFW hall -- I'm not even sure who they were :sqerr: :sqlaugh:

By the end of the night, I was wrapped up in the partying, and had the kids running the music and mic -- all I remember hearing was lots of Sublime, but the crowd was diggin' it :sqbiggrin:

$500 for materials? Wow.. I've seen gorgeus wedding dresses for about half of that.

Is there a reason she made it herself?

Mine was also "handmade". My mother-in-law did it and the materials were much more than a dress I could have purchased ready-made. I couldn't find any dresses I liked locally and I didn't have time to drive all over Michigan or go to Chicago to look since i was working 3-5 jobs to pay for the wedding and living expenses. This was pre-internet (as we know it). My mother-in-law asked to make mine (she didn't have any daughters) and I figured that upped the "heirloom value" of the dress. Plus, i was 18 yo and I was too scared of her to say no. LOL

Last night I went to the fabric store and purchased 60 yards of tulle and it cost me over $120 ($1.99/yard). I made an adult fairy skirt out of it and to get it the way I wanted, it took ALL of that fabric. (yes, that's my new "DJ outfit")

I think my wedding dress probably cost more than my early afternoon luncheon, which I catered myself. I don't think we spent over $2000. Especially since my pro photographer didn't show up...

ETA: we also didn't have alcohol. Big money saver there! Darn strict religious inlaws (and I was underaged with a large population of my dad's State Police co-workers present..haha)

Ol' Wolfie will likely get slammed for this but it's the truth.

The best wedding shows I've ever experienced were done in the local VFW.

Even for non-members, the service has been great. For members (and Daddy's Girl whose Daddy is a member), you couldn't ask for a better party. Everyone knows everyone else. The folks dance 'til the wee hours... and the B&G stay 'til the end.

Is it cut rate? If the satisfaction of the B&G and guests are any indicator, I'd have to say no. I've been fortunate to get excellent referrals from these wedding receptions. And I've made many friends along the way. :)

Plus, i was 18 yo and I was too scared of her to say no. LOL


Only last year Pam?

Ol' Wolfie will likely get slammed for this but it's the truth.

The best wedding shows I've ever experienced were done in the local VFW.


I agree with the wolfster here some of the best I've ever done were at legions and fire halls (we don't have VFWs here)

I'll take the $5000 wedding any day to the $100.000 wedding. Same money and less stress

Sorry, I thought those were pics from a Peter Merry wedding...thx


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