There is no real way to hide the facts ! We know that every bride to be has a dream of what they want their wedding to be. Often filled with cascading floral, rich detailed linen, silk draping , luxe lounge areas in a venue that will wow even the most esteemed. But the reality of a “real” Wedding is that it costs money . Every element, detail and individual assigned to make your dream idea a reality comes with a bill that leaves lots of brides screaming broke! “Edna” (whose name was obviously changed for this) said, I just don’t have it – I’ve penny pinched, robbed peter to pay Paul and still I can’t get what it is I want and that is often the silent cry of many brides who dare to admit it. 
A typical bottom line low-budget is 25-35 thousand dollars for a full wedding, standard is 50,000 and upwards to 6 figures in the quarter range – at least for our clients but not everyone is in the same boat . We created the travel boxes which is simply your wedding design in a box for as low as $500.00 for the budget bride with no service fees attached and tried to educate them through the process that whatever your budget is or isn’t. You can still have a beautiful wedding …it’s in the details. It’ll just come with some compromise , recycling a few items you may have and lots of hard work.
SOME SERIOUS FACTS that you must consider …..Unless you want a White Castle Wedding ….. (This is so real)
You can’t have a guest list of 300 with a 24 person bridal party unless you plan on force fitting them in a local fast food restaurant which we do not suggest . Budgeting for your wedding is a per person rule of thumb. If you add more , you will pay more…..My bottom lip is still in pain from hitting the floor after stumbling across this photo pictured to the left.
Next rule: You can not have filet mignon , lobster or any of the sort . Asking your caterer for other options of food with an artistic approach is using wisdom. I’ve been to so many wedding where the food was simple but made fancy. It is always in the presentation. One of our 2014 Trend watch alerts is unique food bars, with ready-made options and over the top choices ….Mash Potato Bar with 6 choices of cheeses and 6 choices of toppings served in Martini glasses , Pasta Bar with 4 styles of pasta , 4 sauces & 8 topping options also served in Martini glasses…it helps with portions and the good ole Breakfast Bar… or you can opt in for a Chic McDonald’s Soiree ….I’m so kidding but I couldn’t help myself by showing you this hilarity…The truth is if you want to serve Hamburgers and French Fries then do it but make sure the look of your overall event is consistent with its offering 
You have to do more yourself ! This means assembling a team to help you pack, stack, stamp, nip, tuck, cut and bring items to the venue for you. Everything from favors to menu cards and other décor items can be put together by you! The web offers a vast selection of FREE, yes I said FREE templates that you can use for your event. These are the components that you need to look for and work on tapping into for your budget wedding
DO NOT – AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY DO NOT buy your dress from an online retailer that says they offer an affordable name brand dress like this atrocious dress….I think I fainted just looking at it…..Just pick up a gently used one from a resell shop
Negotiating with a day of coordinator to ensure everything is set up in time….I almost ways recommend a bride NOT use their girlfriends or cousins for things like setting up the day of , cooking the food your guests will eat or baking their cake. Unless they have super skills and a track record of experience ….Just say NO….If shelling out cash for a fully catered meal is not an option – decide on a cocktail reception, or host a sunrise ceremony with a continental breakfast reception or my favorite a high tea reception with desserts and light sandwiches with an assortment of teas. And not a dessert menu like this: HAVE MERCY ……
Shop local but ask about seasonal flowers and other options for table top décor that can double in both the ceremony and reception …a great and affordable wow approach is renting or purchasing cylinders in an array of sizes and adding floating candles with single bulb vases of hydrangea
Or my all time favorite which has been used in even a higher end wedding ….Picking branches that have lost its connection to the tree it once served and spray painting them in a color of your choice. Isn’t this fabulous …..Your Welcome !
Being on a budget has nothing to do with an inadequacy to exchange vows I do’s can be done anywhere by a local pastor or justice of the peace . Your budget does have everything to do with what you are capable of doing to celebrate your big day and that capability comes with boundaries that you should not cross. I was a bride so I know its not easy and that’s why we created the travel box product for the budgetnistas but I do know a few brides who I interviewed for this post that said that if they could go back and change a few things….they would!
But I do know some super success stories like these lovelies who reworked everything from coat racks they crackled, old lanterns they scored online on sale or just simply used hydrangea that offset the color in their dresses…..
You may effortlessly try to make something work or try to force your designer to make it work but if you cant do it right don’t do it at all! Our suggestions are from past sightings that we’ve seen happen in weddings all over the United States. Brides have good intentions but no one really wants to say …Sorry girl you just can’t do that but of course I will. So When your planning or designing always take into consideration that you need someone to look in from outside the box to help you decide whether the decision you are making will score a home run or a spot on NO way girl…..
Until the next grapevine is juiced …..Try not to embark on a champagne adventure when you know your on a beer budget ! Just make what you have work! Life still happens after the I do’s….
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