Comments on: Confessions Of a 10k Bride

By: Claudia

Claudia — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:26:14 +0000

Hi Cecilia, we were married at Old World in Huntington Beach. The restaraunt has several rooms available for different size parties, or the church has a hall you can rent also. I used Blake's BBQ (check 'em out online!) they were very curteous and food was great! Everyone loved it, and when we scheduled a tasting, they let us taste whatever they had in the place when we arravied. I used a baker friend and photographer fiend for cake and photos, so if you are interested in their phone numbers, I will gladly pass them along to you. Good luck!

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:28:10 +0000

Hi Claudia, what church hall did you use? Photographer? Ay suggestions? I live in orange county too and it's been hard to go by the 10k budget.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:26:49 +0000

$10,000 budget? We had a wedding and reception for 70 people last month for $1200. THAT took planning.

By: Miki

Miki — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 03:27:11 +0000

Have you written your blog yet? I live in the NorCall (bay area) and have a tight budget of around $3500. The wedding venue is proving to be the most problimatic thing on our list so far.

By: Miki

Miki — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 03:24:06 +0000

Where was the venue? Right now this is the most cost prohibitive item on our list. I'm looking for suggestions on how to find a veune for $1000.00 or less.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:19:42 +0000

Sorry to burst your stereotype Lincoln, Nebraska wedding bubble. But before you start quoting the "pricey" sum of $800 for the best photographer in Nebraska you might want to do your hick research. Pretty sure my photographer that I booked IN Lincoln, Nebraska for MY wedding isn't $800, it would rock if it was. It's up for opinion if she is the best but I know a lot of other respectable photogs that ask for a fee much higher than that in this podunk state. But thats ok, I'll hike up my wedding dress, show off the shit kickers, and enjoy my little hoe-down in the sticks!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:22:46 +0000

Ok, I'm a professional florist Cass….here's the trick. First, have a daytime wedding, you can provide cake, punch, mints and peanuts and save an enormous amount of money by not providing a full dinner to everyone. Have it outside at a pretty place which will save on the site rental as well as decorations. Go to the farmer's market the day before your wedding and pick out some pretty roses to match your color scheme, bunch them together, tie a ribbon on the stems…..this will save you thousands of dollars. Get about 30 disposable cameras and set them around on the tables for fun candid shots of the guests, again saving the cash…..but get a professional to take some important shots of the wedding party. Publix has beautiful wedding cakes for about $80.00 which you can put some fresh flowers or rose petals on as decoration. Keep your table decorations simple and personal….like some black and white pictures of you and your intended along with rose petals, candles, or candies in the middle of the table. Spend your money on "the perfect dress" and presents for all the people you love – instead of all the extras. One last tip, buy a bolt of tulle at the fabric store to decorate anything and everything…it's romantic looking, inexpensive and you can add greenery and flower stems to give it your personal touch. Hope this helps….love and luck to you.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:59:25 +0000

We were married a little over a month ago and did it for $10k. Full church service, hall that was decorated for me (only $200) AWESOME bbq buffet for only $15 pp (which included 2 entrees and 4 sides, plus rolls and butter!) My custom-made dress for only $300 and even the most awesome photographers EVER! AND I live in Orange County California! It can be done! it's not easy, and I had A LOT of help from friends and relatives with center pieces, etc, but it CAN be done!

By: Cass

Cass — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:21:55 +0000

I wish I had a $10K budget. I have 16 months to plan and I’m not quite sure what the budget will be, but it’s likely to be around $5K.

One reason for waiting so long is so we can save up the money and not go into debt.

Basically, I’m going to be taking A LOT of advice from this and other sites.

By: jules

jules — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:52:41 +0000

You are totally right: Prioritize — spend more money on the things most important to you!

We're 3 months out now, and so far have saved a lot by
* accepting help from super-talented friends (florist, calligrapher, seamstress, musicians)
* Getting our rings, handmade, from Etsy
* Buying a gown from a bridal salon's sample sale

The bulk of our budget went to the venue/caterer, the live band, and the photography. The rest we've been able to look for good deals on.