Why oh why!

of course!! planning is the key, we did most of the work ourselves...I researched ALOT, and talked to A LOT of vendors, getting prices matched, bargaining, wholesale flowers, and friends!!
We did our mehndi at home..it was beautiful!!! i saved tons of money..and got to spend it on flowers...because i always wanted lots of them! plus we had desi/italian appetizers for mehndi night with kashmiri chai...and lots of desserts :)

I worked on my reception flowers so much that mom had to rub bengay on my back to straighten it...no sleep, lots of work.....trips to flower wholesalers....the rented truck was a great idea!!
did my own makeup
my dress was discounted since i got all my other outfits from the same lady!! not different designers...(good tip to save money)
had my brothers and cousins set up the ballroom with the help of the hotel staff.
food --menu was wonderful..within our budget...
my invites were by an amature business woman...who had just started her letterpress business...got a great deal!!

Alhamdulilah everything was within our budget!! and I only made 10 suits..repeated a few twice!! NO one said anything about them..even though i saw 3-4 families..over again..at each get-together!
basically I saved close to $10,000 by planning and working around my options.