Have fun, be creative, and don’t stress if everything doesn’t go as planned.

Also, Try sam’s club for flowers if you don’t wind up growing them.

And a plain cake, for 150 people should only cost 150 or so, then YOU get to decorate it. I am putting preserved flowers, and fresh edible petals on mine.

If your budget can take it, you should consider hiring a bit of help. Have you thought of passing by culinary schools or even hotel/hospitality management schools for a little help. I’m sure you could round up a few students that could help you with bartending, waiting, etc. for a fraction of the price of an agency or company.

Best wishes and good luck.

However, I think your budget is too small for 100 guests. If I was having a 2000-dollar wedding, I would eliminate all those extras: favors, decorations, ring pillow, and chair covers. Those are totally unnecessary and that money can be spent on the food. I would probably cut my guest list too.

The truth is that food & drink and music make the party. If you dont have those, you dont have a party. You are getting a DJ so the music is covered. Im just worried that by the time you DIY all your favors and rent some chair covers, you wont have anything left to spend on food.

My only suggestion to you at this point would be: start planning your menu NOW. Go to the store, write down prices, and estimate your total cost. Do that for the drinks and alcohol too. THEN, you can spend whats left on the other little things. Your menu should be priority #1.

But if you ask me I think you have your ideas back to front.
I would skip the DJ and have an MC and laptop playing music.
I would skip having chair covers. They usually are $3-$5 a piece.
I would have a nice cake though and I wouldn’t skip on photography. That is one thing you don’t want to forget. Don’t have favors. It is a waste of money. Fake flowers can be really beautiful and fruit and candles make great centerpieces.
Definately make the invites and programs yourself. You will save hundreds.

Make sure the guest book has acid free paper. Instead of a guest book maybe you could have a big diplay plate or frame or canvas that everyone writes on instead. A book will usually be locked away in a cupboard, but this way you can keeo it on display. My fiance and I are having signature bears.

Being crafty is really great. Heaps of people I know are crafty and artistic too. It will save you heaps, just don’t skimp on the important things.

Also don’t have an open bar. This will also save you a lot. If guests want to get drunk then they should pay for it themself.
The time of day for your wedding will also determine your wedding. if your wedding is at roughly 9am you would have a luch reception. People expect a full meal and will be hungry. Like wise if the ceremony is at 3pm, it will be a dinner reception. But if you have the ceremony at 11am you could have an afternoon tea with just punch and cake. just having a few nibblies will save you a lot.

We honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas for 5 days 4 nights. We spent less then $2,000. That price included $500 for spending money, food, taxi, tips, taxes. I mean everything.

So you can have a great wedding for an inexpensive price. You’ve just got to be willing to make your own, and find bargains. We could have gone with white gold bands, but I’m allergic to nickel. So we opted for platinum instead.

good luck.

Check out this site: http://www.signaturegrandweddings.com

It helps you plan your wedding and gives SO many great tips on avoid extra fees and costs