Straight from the CB thinktank: "Is It Possible to Have a Wedding Under $5,000 (150 guests)?"

I say it ALL the time, CB will consistently swoop in with more than just ideas, but with motivation and encouragement. This particular question was really asked in a ChocolateBrides.com thread. Here is how the CB's responded:

DivaJag says:
"It's doable, but you're going to have to seriously reign in expenses. The first question to ask yourself is what is important to you? What MUST you have? What are you not as concerned about? Then look for ways to slash prices on the things you don't really care about.

For example, if you're not picky about invitations and programs, then get something inexpensive printed up (or DIY -- do it yourself) and type up your own programs on the computer (we have a template section on the site) and go to Kinkos.
If you're not picky about the reception, then consider having a morning wedding (with a brunch reception) or moving the wedding to a non-peak day or negotiate with the caterer to take some things off for a discount (I got free hors d'oeuvres at my reception because I didn't want the dessert the caterer was offering, so they made a substitution) or a potluck or a very casual affair. For attire, go to David's Bridal or eBay or buy a used wedding dress off craigslist. So in a nutshell, yes, it is possible to have a wedding under $5k, but you need to be willing to "think outside of the box." "

Zion1908 chimed in:
Sis, anything is possible. Granted, I'm not in ATL so I don't really know what down there would be affordable to you. But take some of what everyone else has said.

Food:
Light hors d'ouvres or maybe just dessert and champagne/sparkling cider

Flowers:
Limit to just wedding party members and get them from the grocery store or a wholesale floral outlet. There are instructions here on the boards for making fabulous bouquets and boutionneres from flowers bought at the supermarket.

Attire:
Off the rack, eBay, or have a trusted seamstress do everything.

Ceremony music:
If not CDs, then look into students at local schools who might be willing to play for free or a small amount of money.

Photography:
If you hire someone, only enlist their services for the ceremony and have everyone take snapshots at the reception.

Cake:
Grocery stores often have cakes just as beautiful as fancy bakeries and they're ALWAYS cheaper. We got our cake from a local market here.

Invitations:
Your printer and some nice paper. You can even catch those invitation kits on sale at Michael's, AC Moore, or Wal-Mart.

Location:
If you know someone with a nice yard, offer them a small honorarium in exchange for using their home. If you know someone who lives in a community with a clubhouse, or if you live in one yourself, use the clubhouse. The mansion where we got married was owned by the county as a park location, so since we were county residents we were able to get a discount. Check into parks and publicly-owned buildings.

Ask friends and family with useful talents to donate their services as a wedding gift (or at least negotiate a discount based on your relationship). If you can, barter services. For instance, my friend does wedding photography and she needed a website. So I did her website at no cost in exchange for her services at my wedding. We got professional photography for free! Also, let Craigslist.com be your friend. A lot of people out there offer their services on Craigslist for free or at an incredible discount just because they're starting out and simply want to get their name out there or add to their portfolio. This would come in handy in your search for a DJ or photographer.
* Don't get a traditional wedding cake. Get the simple round cakes from the grocery store and buy pedestal platforms from the craft store or bakery store in varying heights and set them up at the reception.

* You can even embellish them with those cheap flowers from the grocery store or wholesale floral shop that we talked about. You'll spend a fraction of a fraction of what you would have spent for a traditional wedding cake. And one thing my husband and I did was have our regular cake (which wasn't large enough for our guest count) and then a sheet cake in the back that would feed the rest of the guests. It shaved our cake costs because if we had gotten another tier on our cake to feed everyone it would have cost us much more. Have just a few rounds on display, and then feed any remaining guests with the sheet cake.

* Have everything in one place. Unless you have a hookup for the church or house of worship where you want to marry, you're going to have to pay a fee for that. Having everything in one place cuts down your costs because you won't have to pay one fee for the church and another for the reception location.

* Don't include RSVP cards in your invitations. Have everyone RSVP via phone or email. It'll cut down on your postage costs as well as the costs of your invitation supplies.

* If you can't afford an officiant, have a trusted friend or family member get ordained online and perform the ceremony as a gift. this may not be an issue for you, but it's an idea."





To see more of what the ladies had to say on this topic, visit the messageboard! This is what makes ChocolateBrides.com THE premier website for Brides of Color! The advice and love is absolutely priceless.

Budgets all Around!

I'm sure you have seen it before....a woman gets proposed to and the doe-eyes come into play when she starts thinking about every element that she wants in her wedding from the princess dress to the THOUSANDS of roses and rose petals scattered everywhere. And then, her dreams are shattered by the mention of the word "budget."

In all honesty, there is no real reason to be afraid of this tiny little word, and when used in the proper manner, it may help you keep a sane head (well mostly) throughout the duration of the wedding planning process. Also keep this in the back of your head, even the richest of the rich have budgets that they stick to when planning large events. I mean, they care about their money too, so don't get irritated or insulted when some vendor asks what your budget is, and you say excitedly that you don't have one, and they give you a look as if you have a third eye. Working with clients without a budget is like dealing with an active bomb for them.

After the post-engagement bliss has settled, the first thing that you want to do is gather the key players in the wedding budget arena (read=anyone who will be giving you a large amount of money to pay for major areas in your wedding) and discuss with them what they will be able to do, and what they won't be able to do for you. This is also the time for you to think realistically about what you and your significant other will be able to afford on your own. In short, you may not be able to have a full champagne wedding on a beer budget. So, here are a few guidelines that you may want to follow when starting the planning of your wonderful day.

First make a list of what is important to you. Those things that you just KNOW that you want to represent you and your mate for the day. Make sure once again, that these are realistic desires. Just because you saw Platinum weddings last night on television, doesn't always mean that you are going to be able to recreate that "exact" look. They call it Platinum for a reason. However, you can downscale the look and make it just as presentable. For example, cymbidium orchids are one of the higher priced flowers on the market for weddings. You could do the same look for less by making sure that the flowers you order are 1) In season and 2) just as beautiful in sets on reception tables or in arrangements. Is it really worth breaking your budget for those orchids when you could opt for something more memorable instead? Get a great DJ, or spend that extra money on a fantastic honeymoon for you and your sweetheart.

Second you want to realize that your reception itself is going to take up the majority of your budget. There is no reason for you to buy a $4,000 gown and only spend $2,000 on your reception. If you can't afford to have the same level of elegance all around, settle somewhere in the middle. Believe me, you'll be happier in the long run.

Most of all, just stay focused. Know what your absolute cutoff is, and don't go above that. You know that if you can actually afford that Monique Lhuiller or if you have to go with something that may be more of knockoff from David's Bridal. There is no shame in having the wedding that YOU can afford.