Question by monica: I need wedding planing tips.?
I am going to plan my brothers wedding for him and I’ve never done it before, I planned my own but that’s a little different. I need to know how to get started also if you have any money saving tips I would be very thankful. They are 20 & 21, live in searcy, arkansas, and only have about 1,000.00 to spend on the wedding.
Best answer:
Answer by Chicago Lawyer
First thing you’ll probably have to do is figure out how many guests you can invite given the budget.
Theknot.com is helpful place for getting ideas. I realize you’re on a budget though, so its best to look around the sight for something that inspires you, and try to re-create a cheaper do-it-yourself version. The knot also has “to do” lists for wedding planners, etc.
Best of luck! Very nice of you to offer to help plan 
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Start out by seeing if there is a family friend that can make a wedding cake as a wedding present to the bride & groom. Also, perhaps the family can group together & provide food for the reception, just simple finger foods. As far as clothing, he can wear a nice suit, and her dress can come from ebay or a just a nice white dress from a department store. As far as a venue, if they attend church talk to their priest or pastor & see if they can have it their for a small donation & explain the financial snafu to them. If they aren’t part of a church see if they can have it all done at their or a friend’s house with a local magistrate, the magistrate will usually cost about $ 40. The marriage license alone can run anywhere from $ 40 to $ 50 alone. As far as bridesmaids dresses & flower girl, groomsmen, etc, you can find nice clothing to wear at Target or target.com that is completely appropriate. Maybe even something for the bride. You can buy flowers in bulk & the night before the wedding make a party out of making the bouquets & boutonnières. Get simple make it yourself invitations & wedding favors. Now is definitely the time to check out all of your family & friend resources & see what services they are willing to offer instead of an actual wedding present. Also, check out http://www.theknot.com, they have some great wedding how to tips & do it yourself guides. Good luck & I am sure you will do a great job!
First, don’t get servers make it buffer style where people serve themselves.
Second, don’t invite a lot of people, make it an intimate affair with close friends and family.
Third, make the center pieces yourself (or find someone creative, willing to help you). Make things do double duty, example: use the same flowers from the church in the reception.
Fourth, find a free place like a family member backyard.
Fifth, make sure it’s fun. With the budget you have, it’s not going to be the Ritz hotel, but make it work. look at bargain places.
$ 1000? tell them to elope. thats about all you can do for that little.
That is very tough especially with the budget you have. First determine how many people will be attending.
find a venue for reception and ceremony —
.call around multiple places and give them a date and find out if they have packages and then get back to them with an answer.
.Find out if the venue allows outside companies to cater in the venue
. Decide if you want the venue to cater, hire an outside caterer, or cook yourself ( if venue allows )
.Find out if the venue has wedding packages and what they include
. See if the provide linens/chair covers. If not go to local event stores or search online
Cake
.Go to local cake bakeries for a taste testing if you dont already know what flavor you want or your local grocery store for simple cake
Flowers
.Call local florists for prices ( see if they have any packages) sometimes the venue will have packages including all of the above.
. It might be cheaper to buy your flowers and do it yourself. ( find prices for that )
Invitations
. Local paper stores such as hallmark should have premade invitations and do it yourself kits. If not, look online for do it yourself kits
Music
. Look for wedding DJ’s or wedding band. Or to keep it cheap a nice sound system and music of choice
Decorations
. Cheaper to do it yourself. Check local arts and craft stores or discount stores like Christmas Tree Shop/Marshalls etc….
Transportation
. Either their own transportation such as their own car or borrowing a vehicle ( to keep your budget very low ).
. Or call around for limo/car prices, mention the time and hours it will be needed
Guest lists and brides dress and groom tux. Inform bridesmaids and groomsmen of getting their tuxes and dresses.
That is about it. To save money, call more various places not just 1 or 2. get prices from all places and write it down. Obviously go with the cheapest prices available unless your not wanting to settle. The more you can do it yourself the more you will save. and dont forget a photographer/videographer – call around for various prices and if not get a camera and have a friend do it.
I hope this helps
Every major bridal magazine (Martha Stewart, Brides, Modern Bride, etc) has a WEDDING PLANNING schedule in each issue. It will tell you what “to do” starting twelve months ahead.
Money saving tips . .
Get married in the morning and follow that ceremony with a breakfast or brunch. Breakfast is the LEAST EXPENSIVE FULL MEAL you can serve your guests plus you do not have to serve any liquor except for a champagne toast to the Bride and Groom.
Get married at 130PM or 2PM or 230PM. At that time your wedding guests have already eaten lunch and it is too early for dinner. You can have a “desserts only” reception or just wedding cake and punch. You can have any of these items at a dessert reception: assorted pies, root beer floats, brownies, rice crisy treats, decorated cupcakes, homemade cookies, blueberry cobbler, apple crisp, make your own ice cream sundaes, cream puffs, eclairs, pound cake with strawberries or a fresh fruit platter.
Get married after 7PM or sunset. At that time your wedding guests have already eaten dinner . You can have a “desserts only” reception or just wedding cake and punch.
Control or eliminate the flow of liquor. Wedding guests love FREE liquor and they will drink and drink at YOUR expense.
Order a three flower bouquet for the bride and her attendants instead of large expensive bouquets. For example” three white roses, three pink carnations or three yellow tulips with a bow tied around the flowers.
Eliminate all wedding day accessories: Table favors, flower girl basket, ring bearer pillow, candle sets, guest book and feather pen, bride’s garter, etc. Just what are you going to do with a ring bearer’s pillow the day after the wedding?
Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant
instead of a dj or band hook your ipod up and make a really good play list. Assign someone to that incase it ever needs special attention during the wedding or reception. Have a friend take the pictures, find a dress at the thrift store. (my friend got hers there and its beautiful). Use pictures of the two of them for center table decorations with a small candle or something. Those are all I can think of right now. Good luck. You can do it. Remember at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that they are happily married.
DIY everything! Centerpieces can be made out of everything so think twice about using the expensive flower option. Invitations can be made beautifully with a printer and good cardstock! Find what fits in stores, then buy online for dresses. Get family to
? Sounds like you already have your budget… so stick to it. Thats important. DIY, DIY, DIY stuff is very important! You can make the invites, centerpeices, favors, etc!
Also, check out http://www.weddingchannel.com or http://www.theknot.com Both of these websites have wedding checklists that will help you!
Good Luck!