Comments on: 9 step guide to a (classy) budget wedding

By: Carlo Alcos

Carlo Alcos — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:12:10 +0000

Sorry, I just saw this now. Although about 5 months too late…in any case, check this out:

http://matadornetwork.com/trips/25-romantic-honeymoon-destinations

By: Susan Berman

Susan Berman — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:14:25 +0000

After reading your blog it makes me think that sometimes we don’t really appreciate how blessed we really are. On a side note I really would really respect your input on the best place for my friendto go for a honeymoon. Thoughts?

By: Carlo

Carlo — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:46:20 +0000

Haha. Guess so

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:01 +0000

Thanks for these tips, Carlo! I guess me and my long-term partner are out of excuses now.

By: Carlo

Carlo — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:46:45 +0000

Jessie, re the wording of the cash gifts, we came up with a humourous poem and included that in the invite. If/when I find it, I just might post it

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:10:52 +0000

I wish I’d read this article 3 years ago! My husband and I did a lot of these things but came up with them as our own “original” ideas. We had the wedding at a bed and breakfast (out of town guests also stayed there), made our own invitations (stamp embossing ivy leaves on the envelopes was a great yet simple way to make them look fancy), and got a woman who professionally bakes out of her home to make us a delicious wedding cake (a carrot cake with cream cheese icing). I bought my dress at Davids Bridal for $99 at their “$99 sale”. It was a classically beautiful Oleg Cassini dress (he designed for Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe) on sale for less than the fabric was worth only because it wasn’t a-line and strapless. We put our own music playlist together and bought box wine and a keg of Abita beer. The only thing we went professional with was the caterer (part of the B&B’s contract), florist, and photographer (a gift from my MIL). They were great except for the photographer, who ended up sending a newbie assistant in her place. My husband’s cousin picked up the photography slack, and his photography hobby has since turned professional!

Aside from the photographer, my husband and I couldn’t have had a better wedding. You’re totally right that you have other options besides eloping at the courthouse or spending $20,000, despite what the bridal magazines say!

By: Jessie Kwak

Jessie Kwak — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:27:31 +0000

I agree with it being OK to ask for money instead of gifts. My husband and I did just that, and now we’re happily backpacking around Peru. The hard part is how to word it–we don’t have room in our backpacks for crockpots, is what we said.

We also wanted to invite as many people as possible while keeping the costs down, so we opted for a camping wedding on my parents’ farm, where our friends brought their tents and hung out for the weekend. This allowed us to be able to spend quality time with people who we were close to, thus avoiding the traditional wedding problem of not having enough time to talk with everyone. Through using contacts and bartering with friends we kept our costs down considerably.

By: Carlo Alcos

Carlo Alcos — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:14:01 +0000

Thanks Luigi. Just to point out, this has nothing to do with a “big party”. On the contrary, our wedding was quite small relatively speaking (28 guests for ceremony/dinner, plus another 20 for the party). While it may be a bit more of a risk to go with the unknown, there’s also no guarantee that you will get your money’s worth if you spend the big bucks. That’s why I stress to make sure you’re comfortable with the people you are hiring.

And besides the hired help, doing things on your own not only saves money but it makes it very personal and special.

By: luigi

luigi — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:54:59 +0000

Just a word of caution – when you choose a budget vendor, you will probably get a budget product. Caveat! It’s your money, but it is also one of the most important days of your life. If your only objective is a big party, then by all means go cheap, but if you want good service and good quality products, be prepared to spend a little more.

By: Carlo Alcos

Carlo Alcos — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:10:29 +0000

Thanks for the words guys…I definitely think the most agonizing decisions are related to guests. I also think you’re bound to rub some people the wrong way, so what can you do!

Peter, are you in Vancouver? The great thing about Barclay Manor was also that we had it for such a long time. To get a more traditional wedding venue it would have cost an arm and a leg. I think because it’s not such a normal business for them that they are really free to cater and customize to your liking. And of course aren’t after the massive bucks that some places command.

Jen, that sounds great. One of the things we’d probably do differently if we could go back would be to have a stand up reception with hors d’ouevres. If we did it this way we could’ve had everyone there for the whole time instead of breaking it up in two. That said, there’s nothing we regret about it.

Best of luck with the planning!