Need help with cheap wedding :D

[monoroma]

Hello everyone

I am a full time student, I've been engaged for 2 years but couldn't get married due to lack of funds (tuition, books, commuting, my fiancée is struggling as well etc.). If you all could help me with cheap wedding ideas , It will be really really helpful

Here are some pointers

>I live in Toronto
>Southasian wedding is preferable
> Very little money saved (not getting any help)
> Don't mind getting married during Winter

Thank you again!

[recessionisnotfun]

Hi and Congrats
Value Village, if you have one there and don't mind wearing something used, usually have beautiful wedding dresses there. As well as suits.
Kijiji is a awesome place to find wedding items. I recently seen here tons of candle holders etc for 0.15 a piece from their wedding. There are many resources to do a beautiful wedding if one doesn't mind used. Not sure if you are having a fancy supper etc, but I have seen table cloths from the dollar store decorated beautifully with ribbons and bows. Wouldn't have even known it was from the buck shop. Flowers, I was able to pick up 2 garbage bags full for a friends wedding from the thrift store for 5.00. Her colors so was a bonus. If you buy little by little you won't feel any big hits. Also ebay is a good resource. Good luck and hope that helped some

[vienna4u]

do you really want a ceremony? coz if you can do without one you could have a civil wedding in Ontario
better still, if you have a US visitor Visa, they give you the certificate in just one day at the NY civil court

[save_girl]

How many people are you thinking of?

You're on the right track with a winter wedding, but also consider a daytime reception. Brunch or lunch are cheaper than dinner. You can also choose not to offer a full meal, and instead do appetizers or British style tea.

Are you having a religious ceremony? If not you will find officiants are expensive, so consider either a city hall ceremony or having a friend/family member do the certification to marry you.

Think outside the box - a lot of places charge premium $$$ as soon as you say 'wedding'. A different location can save you money - think restaurant, conference room, condo party room, even a friend's back yard.

Most things for the wedding can be DIY (do it yourself) but don't get carried away - this can be time consuming and you can spend a lot of $$$ on supplies still. First decide what things you have to have, then make what you can yourself, but stick to your list! You can easily skip the DJ if you spend some time making your own playlist, make your own decorations and centrepeices, make your own invitations (or do e-vites and be environmentally friendly), even bake cupcakes instead of buying a cake.

For stuff you feel you need a pro for, shop around. Check craigslist (but make sure you get references) or look for students or new grads trying to build a portfolio.

Whatever you do, get everything in writing, even if it is for a service a friend is giving. Those written contracts will save you some serious headaches and sometimes lots of $$$ as well.

[BUCCIphotography]

If you need photography for your special day... please get in touch with me.
You could also check out my work at www.bucciphotography.com

[vienna4u]

i think there is a southasian priest in the U of T who officiates at weddings.....he charges quite less....

[deej]

You can make a lot of your own decorations, centrepieces, etc. You can find a lot of stuff in the dollar stores. If you need anything from Michaels, they always have the 40% off coupons in the flyer or on the internet. Go to the store with a couple of people and only buy one item each with the coupon. Keep going back every few days until you have what you need.

Ask the bridal shops about renting a wedding dress. I've seen a few that will do that. Or often they have really good sales on select dresses.

Printing your own invitations saves a lot of money.

Wedding cakes are usually very expensive. Phone around for prices. If you have a close friend or family member who's a good baker, maybe they would make one for you as their wedding gift. Or you can always get a regular cake.

There are lots of great frugal wedding ideas online if you have the time to search them out.

Good luck with all your plans!

[monoroma]

WOw! I posted this last night and already got so many great ideas! I took notes and narrowing down suggestions. I will update you with my progress!

[monoroma]

How many people are you thinking of?

You're on the right track with a winter wedding, but also consider a daytime reception. Brunch or lunch are cheaper than dinner. You can also choose not to offer a full meal, and instead do appetizers or British style tea.

Are you having a religious ceremony? If not you will find officiants are expensive, so consider either a city hall ceremony or having a friend/family member do the certification to marry you.

Think outside the box - a lot of places charge premium $$$ as soon as you say 'wedding'. A different location can save you money - think restaurant, conference room, condo party room, even a friend's back yard.

Most things for the wedding can be DIY (do it yourself) but don't get carried away - this can be time consuming and you can spend a lot of $$$ on supplies still. First decide what things you have to have, then make what you can yourself, but stick to your list! You can easily skip the DJ if you spend some time making your own playlist, make your own decorations and centrepeices, make your own invitations (or do e-vites and be environmentally friendly), even bake cupcakes instead of buying a cake.

For stuff you feel you need a pro for, shop around. Check craigslist (but make sure you get references) or look for students or new grads trying to build a portfolio.

Whatever you do, get everything in writing, even if it is for a service a friend is giving. Those written contracts will save you some serious headaches and sometimes lots of $$$ as well.

I narrowed down to 60 people fewf! but I think it might go higher, trying not to exceed 70 (very close friends and family) My parents offered hall booking expenses (gladly) and now trying to look for people who will do catering for cheap! British style tea party is a fantastic idea! I got a pack of invitation cards (no envelopes; off season wedding cards) for $10 bucks from Zellers hehe Now i got to become a pro in printing...thank you so much for your help

[Angela273]

I am getting married next September. I purchased my wedding gown and veil at a sample sale. I got 75% off my gown and 50% off the matching veil. Something to consider.

[gourmetsue]

I'm a pro with invite printing feel free to pm me if you need any help. I printed my own wedding invites (a long evening after work one night, few a few curse words!).

[SavvvySaver]

I'm a makeup artist have a pek at my website, I'd be willing to give you some help in that department!

www.jennmalone.com

Thanks,
Jenn

[vienna4u]

I found this one on another site...and thought about you...you could may be contact her

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Toronto

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[Ciel]

Other ideas--Toronto has a shop or two that does dress rentals, if you want a cocktail length dress for a night.

Decide what part of your outfit will be new-so at least one thing is bought for the occasion. What about rings-are there friends/family offering to buy your rings, or are you looking at pawnshops for rings?

Wedding shows-enter their contest or vendor contests for honeymoons, rings or service/goods packages.

A simpler food service probably is best-the tea is one way to make the reception memorable and cost less-maybe have 2-3 tea varieties and sweets or small sandwiches and a cake-you choose which item you most want paired with the tea. Have you tried calling George Brown College-hospitality students run the King St. resto across from the St. James campus? Venues for reception-consider public museums, as they may have a room set aside for small gatherings (photography permits may be extra). U of T must offer some price breaks for students wanting to rent a room? How about a cafeteria?

Or drawing upon Shannon Doherty's first wedding-her friends were asked to bring some part of the reception meal/drinks--ask someone to take on the cost of teas or soft drinks, someone to take on the food.

[grumpy]

If you will be wearing a traditional white (or off-white!) dress, go to http://www.thebridesproject.com/about

An amazing woman and an amazing shop where they've collected donated dresses (including recent NEW ones from stores) because proceeds go to charity. They are at amazingly awesome prices. I got my veil there as I had already gotten my dress by then. But I love to promote this site. I believe the owner is a smartcanucker! The site and project has grown so much. Spread the word!!!

Oh another tip - my friend just bought roses from a grocery store and they were a lot cheaper than florists. Then she just arranged them in bowls from eg Michaels/ Dollarama as centrepieces. Someone also baked the cake for her and she decorated with ribbon around the tier edges, and fresh roses.