Image via DIY Peg Cake Toppers

Hello fellow Polka Dotters!

One thing we all have in common is that we want the best wedding we can afford!

To budget or not budget is each Bride’s prerogative, but every bride shops around either for the best quality, best price or that something that makes your day stand out from the rest.

I am getting married April next year, 2nd time round for me and first for him. Originally he would have hoped for an elopement, but I have a feeling my first day wasn’t all I had hoped so I saw his proposal as a second chance to have the day of my dreams.

Now older and wiser (first time I was 22) I have set upon achieving our wedding and overseas honeymoon for less than $15K. Crazy you might say or unrealistic. Well, at first I was wide eyed and eager, but that being 3 months ago and I soon started stressing once I realized that my budget just isn’t quite in-line with the costs of 2012. With just 5 months to go, I feel somewhat empowered. I have venues booked and items being purchased at a steady rate as my GOOGLE eyes blur… I am however, slowly but surely keeping as close to my budget as possible.

The Honeymoon flights that we booked to England, Berlin & Venice, costing $5,200 have really put the rest of the budget in perspective. I conventionally would have loved to trudge up and down mall after mall and boutique and craft shop till my feet hurt, but with 2 jobs and the odd make-up work I just don’t have the time or the comfy shoes. So like many modern bargain hunting brides I have taken to online shopping… EBay, Gumtree, and Google are my new best friends.

Booked and rough costs so far are:

Ceremony – Lunch time wedding at the Act One Theatre followed by afternoon tea for guests, DIY photo guest book, DIY bouquets, Marquee Hire, Catering, DIY decorations, Mother making the Wedding Cake/Card box, DIY slideshow, treat bags, Photographers (friends), approx.. 70 guests.

Rough costs – $ 2,500.00

Reception – Intimate dinner for family and a few friends The Belvedere Hotel, venue hire, meals, decorations, drinks.

Rough costs – $ 1,700.00

Bridal Party – 6 in total… we are paying for gifts, accessories, transport and beauty services only. Also included is the wedding rings and transport.

Rough costs – $ 2,050.00

The rest is covered under miscellaneous another $250 or so.

Image via ‘Forever & Ever’ Glitter Garland Tutorial

Some hints:

  • Look around at your friends and family and see who has any handy skills to help towards the day.
  • Evaluate DIY against purchasing to make sure that your ideas aren’t going to cost more time and money than they’re really worth. Remember no-one is really going to appreciate the painstaking hours and the many dollars it cost to achieve fantastic decorations other than you.
  • The little things add to the ambience but no need to be extravagant, sometimes simple, colour matched and creative accents add more impact.
  • Always be aware of your time investment, it might be cheaper to do as much as you can to cut costs but is it worth the time and stress of organising? It may be worth to pay that bit extra and not have the worry on the day.
  • Delegate only if you know you can actually let go of that job, put trust in those you know will do the job your way!

The fun part is now trying to keep to the allotted amounts. We are yet to book accommodation and include spending money (wishing well might help with that) to add to the total figure. It’s a challenge and somewhat obsession at times but I know that I am in control, for now!

Ms Gingham says: I just love hearing about the challenges, successes and ultimate triumphs of our amazing Polka Dot readers!! If you have wedding plans to share, please register to share them here!

Melanie says: “Hello I am currently working 2 jobs, am a Make-up Artist and planning my own wedding. Crazy fun life, meeting lots of interesting people, constantly looking for new creative ideas and inspiration. I love lots of colour and DIY!!”