thats very true... i mean it'll be hard, but i think it can be done...
there are lots of things you can do to cut costs though... consider buying flowers and vases wholesale and putting centrepieces together yourself, and then have a trusted friend or cousin set them up on the day of. this way you only pay for the stage.
and in fact, when the hall is setting up the tables, a lot of times if you provide them with the stuff you want on it, they'll do it for you at no extra cost.
invitations can be had for really cheap from pakistan too and so long as you control the design, it can come out looking every bit as beautiful as ones bought abroad.
we designed our own and hubs used his printing contacts to score us a great deal.
for musicians, if you're having them, consider contacting a university and posting a notice on their music depts' job board for graduate students- they have all the training pro musicians have but cos they're technically still students, they cost a fraction of the price -- thats how we got our musicians- a cellist, guitarist and violinist for the ceremony for only $450!
favors don't have to cost a whole lot too- consider buying a number of big glass jars and setting up a candy bar on a long table and fill it with candy all in one color (whatever your theme color is) - its especially fun for kids and adults alike to fill little plastic bags with yummy candy to enjoy on the way home. no one needs another vase or picture frame, you know? or if you can, get them from pakistan.
i think our greatest resource and asset as pakistanis, is pakistan itself. for my bro's wedding, whenever it is, i've already decided im getting all the centrepiece containers, favors, plus table cloths from pakistan- you can get them in virtually any material, with kaam or without, for a fraction of what it costs to rent them out. after the wedding, you can rent them out to other brides via craigslist or other such sites, or even sell them to an event planner.
there are a million and one cake designers available- consider looking into a bakery to get a cake instead of someone independent and famous- after all, bakeries make cakes!
if you want a combo sit down/buffet style, then serve the salad sit down and then while people enjoy that, they can put out the buffet for the rest. you still get the niceness of a sit-down without having to pay for the servers for the whole night.
as for venues, negotiate negotiate negotiate and then go with the one who offers you the most for the least cost. remember, there are tons of wedding venues and if you book far enough in advance, you have your pick and the flexibility to negotiate with them- especially if your wedding is in high season (in toronto, this is april to september).
also consider getting married in the winter and have a beautiful winter wedding, if you're outside pakistan- yes the weather might not be the best, but most venues are on sale during october to march because they're not popular months for weddings. other vendors will also be on sale during this time.
so yeah... its possible.. you just have to be creative and talk to lots of people. :)
what about wearing an heirloom set from your mom or grandmother? maybe model your clothes around the set instead of the reverse. thats what i did cos i always knew i wanted to wear mom's gulubund... saved me the cost of buying jewellery! :p
thats very true... i mean it'll be hard, but i think it can be done...
there are lots of things you can do to cut costs though... consider buying flowers and vases wholesale and putting centrepieces together yourself, and then have a trusted friend or cousin set them up on the day of. this way you only pay for the stage.
and in fact, when the hall is setting up the tables, a lot of times if you provide them with the stuff you want on it, they'll do it for you at no extra cost.
invitations can be had for really cheap from pakistan too and so long as you control the design, it can come out looking every bit as beautiful as ones bought abroad.
we designed our own and hubs used his printing contacts to score us a great deal.
for musicians, if you're having them, consider contacting a university and posting a notice on their music depts' job board for graduate students- they have all the training pro musicians have but cos they're technically still students, they cost a fraction of the price -- thats how we got our musicians- a cellist, guitarist and violinist for the ceremony for only $450!
favors don't have to cost a whole lot too- consider buying a number of big glass jars and setting up a candy bar on a long table and fill it with candy all in one color (whatever your theme color is) - its especially fun for kids and adults alike to fill little plastic bags with yummy candy to enjoy on the way home. no one needs another vase or picture frame, you know? or if you can, get them from pakistan.
i think our greatest resource and asset as pakistanis, is pakistan itself. for my bro's wedding, whenever it is, i've already decided im getting all the centrepiece containers, favors, plus table cloths from pakistan- you can get them in virtually any material, with kaam or without, for a fraction of what it costs to rent them out. after the wedding, you can rent them out to other brides via craigslist or other such sites, or even sell them to an event planner.
there are a million and one cake designers available- consider looking into a bakery to get a cake instead of someone independent and famous- after all, bakeries make cakes!
if you want a combo sit down/buffet style, then serve the salad sit down and then while people enjoy that, they can put out the buffet for the rest. you still get the niceness of a sit-down without having to pay for the servers for the whole night.
as for venues, negotiate negotiate negotiate and then go with the one who offers you the most for the least cost. remember, there are tons of wedding venues and if you book far enough in advance, you have your pick and the flexibility to negotiate with them- especially if your wedding is in high season (in toronto, this is april to september).
also consider getting married in the winter and have a beautiful winter wedding, if you're outside pakistan- yes the weather might not be the best, but most venues are on sale during october to march because they're not popular months for weddings. other vendors will also be on sale during this time.
so yeah... its possible.. you just have to be creative and talk to lots of people. :)
What happened to $50 at the mosque? (that Canadian $ btw).
Ya molvi jee charges that. They expect free dinner too, so I guess add another $5 popeyes meal to that :p
Invite as many people as you want. No need to be conservative :)
i wish i could! haven't been in ages and so want to! it would be like "a kid in a candy shop" situation.... so much stuff to work with!
as an aside, i just started working as a designer with a wedding planner in durham region- east of ajax- come here and get married! we'll do a fab wedding for you! :)
Saieen Bahi 
