chanda’s thread got me thinking, I’m sure lots of guppies saved some money on their weddings in very innovative ways. No matter how you feel about wedding spending, I’m sure everyone would agree that if you can get something nice at a cheaper price, then why not?
I think each bride has some areas where she doesn’t want to compromise… for me, those areas were the dress and the makeup, so here are some ways I saved money in other areas even though my in-laws and parents were planning on spending more:
stage decorations
-There are even high end stage decorators these days! After visiting two of the top decorators in khi (they started at 1 lakh for a simple stage! ), I found a stage decorator whose stages looked great if not better and managed to even bargain since i was doing two events. I was even able to add little things on the tables since it was so much cheaper, whereas I wouldn’t have been able to do that with the other decorators.
invitations
-even though everyone says its your first impression of the wedding, getting my invitations made simply and in Pakistan saved me hundreds of dollars. You can even spruce up a simple card by adding a simple touch like a peacock feather attached to a ribbon tied in the center. Buying ribbon and peacock feathers in bulk would be really cheap and would still make an invitation look expensive. :AID:
collecting
certain things I started buying a while ago so that I wouldn’t be a financial burden all at once. Every other month, I would buy a nice makeup brush in order to build my collection. especially if you’re going with something like MAC, those brushes are always like $40 and even buying a basic set of 5 would mean spending like 200 dollars. I guess technically it isnt ‘saving’, but a lot of what makes wedding shopping hard is the expenditure all at once. and i dont get the point of showing everyone that you have all new stuff. you need to know how to wear makeup beforehand!
jewelery
-less is more. I didn’t buy 20 sets, I just got a few (think less than five, not bhaari) sets that I reaaallly loved and would go with everything I also looked at what my mil was giving me and got things that were different than those. Also, when it comes to things like jhoomar, maata patti and teekas, you can get those made with sonay ki paani, which is way cheaper than gold, since we don’t wear those too often anyways.
combining events
for me, i didnt see the point of having two mehndis for example, or a separate nikkah plus shaadi plus valima. I combined events and made it simple.
GUPSHUP
-I looked at soooo many of your reviews and recommendations when it came to buying wedding clothes. That meant that going to markets you all recommended as opposed to designer boutiques got me the same quality of clothing at a cheaper price, just without the brand name! and no one will ever know :shoaby: so thank you
I know everyone else here is way more creative than me and also has more experience, so guppies please share!
thanks for the lovely info..i want to ask one thing as you said you can give sonai ka pani to jhommar and tikka so i want to ask that should i ask from the jewellwer who is going to make my wedding gold set or wat?
IMPORTANT- before you do anything else, make a budget and work backwards from it.
a lot of people i know just sort of start spending and wait for the panic to hit before they stop. thats a BIG no-no.
split up your budget into the following ways:
As a general guideline allot approximately 50 percent of your budget to the reception (location, food, and beverages). Then allot about 10 percent each to flowers, photography, attire, and music. The final 10 percent goes to stationery, favors, and other details. (from Ms. Stewart).
its what i used and it worked like a dream!
control your guestlist. if you are getting married, especially outside Pakistani where venues often cook for, and charge for, per person, this is the **number one **way of controlling your costs. you don't have to have 100 guests if you think its too low, but you also don't need to invite all 450 people you, your fiance, his parents, and your parents, ever said hello to.
OMG! so agree with number 3!!! ive seen so many brides spending away on der makeup and wen it cums dwn to it they cnt do much! it pisses me off so much wen they have expensive makeup jst laying around not been put to use!!!
fasaadi, which decorator in karachi did u find who gave u cheap rates? i'm desperately looking for one but it's soo hard!
Just to give you a choice, here are two. One is Ambience, the telephone number is 438-7842. and the other is Expressions. They are on Tariq Road opposite to Cafe Liberty. You can email them at [email protected]. They are both good, and both give a discount for booking multiple events with them. Hope this helps!
thanks for the lovely info..i want to ask one thing as you said you can give sonai ka pani to jhommar and tikka so i want to ask that should i ask from the jewellwer who is going to make my wedding gold set or wat?
where can i do tat
I don't think you can 'give' sonay ki pani, just ask your favorite jeweler about it. Say that you want to get a style made with sonay ki paani. Basically they will use something cheaper like silver and put this 'gold water' over it so that it looks like gold, but not as expensive. I dont know much else, since my mil worked with the jeweler. The way she made it sound though, I think it can be done anywhere.
I don't think you can 'give' sonay ki pani, just ask your favorite jeweler about it. Say that you want to get a style made with sonay ki paani. Basically they will use something cheaper like silver and put this 'gold water' over it so that it looks like gold, but not as expensive. I dont know much else, since my mil worked with the jeweler. The way she made it sound though, I think it can be done anywhere.
i mean to say for example...i buy a set from a gold jewellery shop and i want my tikka and jhomar similar design to that set so i can ask that jeweller to do it....i am asking because i have no idea about it thats y i want to make sure
^ohhh ok, sorry i didnt get thats what you meant. yeah you can definitely do that, they can make a copy of some design using sonay ki pani. However, my advice would be unless you really trust that jeweler, don't give them any of your jewelery. They can easily make it using a picture of the design as well.
There are more ways to save money, but it does involve a lot of organisation and more stress, however it works.
E.g - centrepieces - try to get your florist to do them, if it is still putting too much burden on your budget - get some inexpensive vases or dishes, some flowers matching the bridal bouquet and construct something with aqua beads, floating candles, ribbons etc. You will need a committee of friends to ensure its all done in time (e.g. night b4 wedding?). Sounds tricky but it CAN be done.
Table runners - u can get rolls of table runner material matching your theme - just cut them and your venue staff can arrange. Youc an also get matching ribbons for the napkins.
Florists - if u have time, shop around and BARGAIN - play them off against eachother, it works.
Caterers - play them off against eachother and MAKE SURE YOU USE A TRIED AND TRUSTED CATERER. Do NOT pay up the balance until after the event and you are SURE U R SATISFIED with the service.
Definitely finding the right florist and getting the whole events worth of flowers from one place....you save a lot that way. Try finding a small neighborhood florist--they have some classy arrangements with lower prices. When you go to them, never say "wedding"--I noticed that the same arrangements without saying the "wedding word" were easily 20-30 dollars lower.
Sometimes planners have packages: buy a stage and get blah blah blah percent off.....
When you are about to choose the venue, make sure the drinks and service are included (when separate it can cost a lot), know wht drinks will be available (sometimes, they add only lemonade lol). Also, find out abt the "special" vendors that work with the venue. A lot of times the hotel itself has beautiful table covers (with a price) that could be added without cost when you get the venue.
Personal things wise--start buying things that you need early and look for sales at big department stores--especially in January and July.
ooooooo after Halloween--autumn color "christmas" lights are available. Buy them after the holiday (they go 75% off immediately) to decorate your mehndi/mayoon if you want the yellow/orange color scheme.
One thing - make-up - I know that most people would definitely NOT compromise on using a MUA, however, if u have friends who are good it, have them try a look out on you and take pics to see if it would work.
I know 2 people who have had this done and it was REALLY good, they looked good, not artificial.
Awesome thread fasadi!
I agree with bride2b and sgc...control your guest list! and number 3 is where most brides just lose it!..lol..they think getting married is the only time they will ever get new stuff... :) seriously...its not like you are getting married and moving to a gaoon or the north pole...no matter where you are..you will be surrounded by the same stuff you were the day before you got married...!!!
combining events is a great idea!!
since dholki and mehndis are essentially the same...you can just have mehndi...i still dont understand what the difference is...
Jewelery! i am still buying...as i see new stuff...I got 2 new sets on my wedding..the rest are mom's ....and nothing beats heirloom pieces..
stage decor! if you are getting married in pak..you are in luck.....flowers are cheap!...and you can create a statement stage using the flowers...pick one thing (or two) then use it to play up your wedding/theme....the more things involved in your decor...the more confusing it will get :) lights and fabric make such a difference in the ambiance!!
if you are daring enough to do your own makeup... :) i did...and i am not sure how many more brides did or will do...but i think you are more in control..plus you dont end up washing thousands of rupees down the drain at the end of the night
Wedding cake - it doesn't have to be really expensive to look good. U can get less expensive plain cakes and assemble them easily using dowels and pillar, and arrange the same flowers as the bridal bouquet on the cake. Better still, get your florist to arrange them on the cake on the day. Then just wrap some colour co-ordinated ribbon around it. Your venue or caterer may have a fancy cake stand and knife that you can borrow for free... HEY PRESTO a remarkably splendid looking cake.
), I found a stage decorator whose stages looked great if not better and managed to even bargain since i was doing two events. I was even able to add little things on the tables since it was so much cheaper, whereas I wouldn’t have been able to do that with the other decorators.
I also looked at what my mil was giving me and got things that were different than those. Also, when it comes to things like jhoomar, maata patti and teekas, you can get those made with sonay ki paani, which is way cheaper than gold, since we don’t wear those too often anyways.