Comments on: A Budget Traveler’s Guide to Wedding Planning: 9 Useful Tips http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:08:43 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Heather http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-3812 Heather Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:10:52 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-3812 I wish I'd read this article 3 years ago! My husband and I did a lot of these things but came up with them as our own "original" ideas. We had the wedding at a bed and breakfast (out of town guests also stayed there), made our own invitations (stamp embossing ivy leaves on the envelopes was a great yet simple way to make them look fancy), and got a woman who professionally bakes out of her home to make us a delicious wedding cake (a carrot cake with cream cheese icing). I bought my dress at Davids Bridal for $99 at their "$99 sale". It was a classically beautiful Oleg Cassini dress (he designed for Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe) on sale for less than the fabric was worth only because it wasn't a-line and strapless. We put our own music playlist together and bought box wine and a keg of Abita beer. The only thing we went professional with was the caterer (part of the B&B's contract), florist, and photographer (a gift from my MIL). They were great except for the photographer, who ended up sending a newbie assistant in her place. My husband's cousin picked up the photography slack, and his photography hobby has since turned professional! Aside from the photographer, my husband and I couldn't have had a better wedding. You're totally right that you have other options besides eloping at the courthouse or spending $20,000, despite what the bridal magazines say! I wish I’d read this article 3 years ago! My husband and I did a lot of these things but came up with them as our own “original” ideas. We had the wedding at a bed and breakfast (out of town guests also stayed there), made our own invitations (stamp embossing ivy leaves on the envelopes was a great yet simple way to make them look fancy), and got a woman who professionally bakes out of her home to make us a delicious wedding cake (a carrot cake with cream cheese icing). I bought my dress at Davids Bridal for $99 at their “$99 sale”. It was a classically beautiful Oleg Cassini dress (he designed for Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe) on sale for less than the fabric was worth only because it wasn’t a-line and strapless. We put our own music playlist together and bought box wine and a keg of Abita beer. The only thing we went professional with was the caterer (part of the B&B’s contract), florist, and photographer (a gift from my MIL). They were great except for the photographer, who ended up sending a newbie assistant in her place. My husband’s cousin picked up the photography slack, and his photography hobby has since turned professional!

Aside from the photographer, my husband and I couldn’t have had a better wedding. You’re totally right that you have other options besides eloping at the courthouse or spending $20,000, despite what the bridal magazines say!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Jessie Kwak http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-3041 Jessie Kwak Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:27:31 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-3041 I agree with it being OK to ask for money instead of gifts. My husband and I did just that, and now we're happily backpacking around Peru. The hard part is how to word it--we don't have room in our backpacks for crockpots, is what we said. We also wanted to invite as many people as possible while keeping the costs down, so we opted for a camping wedding on my parents' farm, where our friends brought their tents and hung out for the weekend. This allowed us to be able to spend quality time with people who we were close to, thus avoiding the traditional wedding problem of not having enough time to talk with everyone. Through using contacts and bartering with friends we kept our costs down considerably. I agree with it being OK to ask for money instead of gifts. My husband and I did just that, and now we’re happily backpacking around Peru. The hard part is how to word it–we don’t have room in our backpacks for crockpots, is what we said.

We also wanted to invite as many people as possible while keeping the costs down, so we opted for a camping wedding on my parents’ farm, where our friends brought their tents and hung out for the weekend. This allowed us to be able to spend quality time with people who we were close to, thus avoiding the traditional wedding problem of not having enough time to talk with everyone. Through using contacts and bartering with friends we kept our costs down considerably.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2883 Carlo Alcos Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:14:01 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2883 Thanks Luigi. Just to point out, this has nothing to do with a "big party". On the contrary, our wedding was quite small relatively speaking (28 guests for ceremony/dinner, plus another 20 for the party). While it may be a bit more of a risk to go with the unknown, there's also no guarantee that you will get your money's worth if you spend the big bucks. That's why I stress to make sure you're comfortable with the people you are hiring. And besides the hired help, doing things on your own not only saves money but it makes it very personal and special. Thanks Luigi. Just to point out, this has nothing to do with a “big party”. On the contrary, our wedding was quite small relatively speaking (28 guests for ceremony/dinner, plus another 20 for the party). While it may be a bit more of a risk to go with the unknown, there’s also no guarantee that you will get your money’s worth if you spend the big bucks. That’s why I stress to make sure you’re comfortable with the people you are hiring.

And besides the hired help, doing things on your own not only saves money but it makes it very personal and special.

(Report comment)

]]> By: luigi http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2882 luigi Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:54:59 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2882 Just a word of caution - when you choose a budget vendor, you will probably get a budget product. Caveat! It's your money, but it is also one of the most important days of your life. If your only objective is a big party, then by all means go cheap, but if you want good service and good quality products, be prepared to spend a little more. Just a word of caution – when you choose a budget vendor, you will probably get a budget product. Caveat! It’s your money, but it is also one of the most important days of your life. If your only objective is a big party, then by all means go cheap, but if you want good service and good quality products, be prepared to spend a little more.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2785 Carlo Alcos Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:10:29 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2785 Thanks for the words guys...I definitely think the most agonizing decisions are related to guests. I also think you're bound to rub some people the wrong way, so what can you do! Peter, are you in Vancouver? The great thing about Barclay Manor was also that we had it for such a long time. To get a more traditional wedding venue it would have cost an arm and a leg. I think because it's not such a normal business for them that they are really free to cater and customize to your liking. And of course aren't after the massive bucks that some places command. Jen, that sounds great. One of the things we'd probably do differently if we could go back would be to have a stand up reception with hors d'ouevres. If we did it this way we could've had everyone there for the whole time instead of breaking it up in two. That said, there's nothing we regret about it. Best of luck with the planning! Thanks for the words guys…I definitely think the most agonizing decisions are related to guests. I also think you’re bound to rub some people the wrong way, so what can you do!

Peter, are you in Vancouver? The great thing about Barclay Manor was also that we had it for such a long time. To get a more traditional wedding venue it would have cost an arm and a leg. I think because it’s not such a normal business for them that they are really free to cater and customize to your liking. And of course aren’t after the massive bucks that some places command.

Jen, that sounds great. One of the things we’d probably do differently if we could go back would be to have a stand up reception with hors d’ouevres. If we did it this way we could’ve had everyone there for the whole time instead of breaking it up in two. That said, there’s nothing we regret about it.

Best of luck with the planning!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Jen http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2782 Jen Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:22:18 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2782 I totally love the idea of making the invitations yourself, and adding a blank page that people can decorate and bring to the wedding. My problem is that I have SO many people that I want to share this day with (having traveled a bunch since college, there are a bunch of people that I want to surround me when the day comes. So my brilliant idea is to have a huge barbecue outside; forget the china and Surf N Turf menus; no one remembers the food and a low-key giant outdoor picnic is exactly the vibe I'd want. :) I totally love the idea of making the invitations yourself, and adding a blank page that people can decorate and bring to the wedding.

My problem is that I have SO many people that I want to share this day with (having traveled a bunch since college, there are a bunch of people that I want to surround me when the day comes. So my brilliant idea is to have a huge barbecue outside; forget the china and Surf N Turf menus; no one remembers the food and a low-key giant outdoor picnic is exactly the vibe I’d want. :)

(Report comment)

]]> By: Peter http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2777 Peter Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:50:13 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2777 Hi Carlo- I thought this was a fabulous article. I think you hit on all the "political" issues that no one wants to have to deal with when planning a wedding - relatives, wedding venues, booze etc..... I like the idea of looking at alternative venues and Barkley Manor looks like a stellar place for a very special day (judging from your photos) Been on Matador for awhile but getting back into commenting and posting again. Cheers, Peter Hi Carlo-

I thought this was a fabulous article. I think you hit on all the “political” issues that no one wants to have to deal with when planning a wedding – relatives, wedding venues, booze etc…..

I like the idea of looking at alternative venues and Barkley Manor looks like a stellar place for a very special day (judging from your photos)

Been on Matador for awhile but getting back into commenting and posting again.

Cheers,

Peter

(Report comment)

]]> By: Carlo http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2707 Carlo Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:26:01 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2707 Agreed 100%. There is more risk in using someone inexperienced, which is why it's very important to meet with them at least a couple of times. You should be able to get a good sense of their personality and how interested they are in your special day. Even the officiant, we met with her a couple times and spoke over the phone about vows and the timing/schedule. Any of the things we might have done differently had nothing to do with any of the service we hired, but choices we made ourselves. Agreed 100%. There is more risk in using someone inexperienced, which is why it’s very important to meet with them at least a couple of times. You should be able to get a good sense of their personality and how interested they are in your special day.

Even the officiant, we met with her a couple times and spoke over the phone about vows and the timing/schedule. Any of the things we might have done differently had nothing to do with any of the service we hired, but choices we made ourselves.

(Report comment)

]]> By: San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Amanda http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2706 San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Amanda Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:18:43 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2706 Good tips ..... BUT .... keep in mind that when you do pay an established pro for a service, you are paying for less risk. There is definitely more risk involved with someone who doesn't have an established client base behind them. Everyone does get started somewhere ..... but I've witnessed officiants coming late, a DJ not showing up at all ........ and a few others things that I would have rather not witnessed . The vendors that did the big screw ups were the newbies. Good tips ….. BUT …. keep in mind that when you do pay an established pro for a service, you are paying for less risk. There is definitely more risk involved with someone who doesn’t have an established client base behind them. Everyone does get started somewhere ….. but I’ve witnessed officiants coming late, a DJ not showing up at all …….. and a few others things that I would have rather not witnessed . The vendors that did the big screw ups were the newbies.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Linda http://matadorlife.com/a-budget-travelers-guide-to-wedding-planning/comment-page-1/#comment-2703 Linda Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:03:57 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=1640#comment-2703 Awesome article. Not planning a wedding anytime soon, but always thinking about how I'm going to avoid those outrageous prices. Thanks! Awesome article. Not planning a wedding anytime soon, but always thinking about how I’m going to avoid those outrageous prices. Thanks!

(Report comment)

]]>