If you’re a bride to be or just looking for some wedding inspo on basic wedding items this is for you. March 12th, 2017 will officially have been a year since I’ve been married. Anyone who knows me, knows I am always on a budget. Hence Thrifty Haute Mom. At first we had our sights set on a destination wedding but due to my immediate family not being able to attend in March we decided to stay local. March was a special date for my husband.
New England venue’s tend to become more expensive. I’m talking 15k just for the venu. They may add in a few items but that doesn’t help us. We ended up shopping around. In the end we decided to go local with a hall. Which ended up being $500. I didn’t want it to look like what every hall ends up looking like for a wedding. So I did, but on a budget. My second mission was to find a catering company. I didn’t want to depend on others to cook. I just wanted everything to be smooth.
I found Alacarte Parties on The Knot. This was even more perfect since we didn’t hire a wedding planner. They had a couple great reviews. I was so glad I picked them. They are based out of Peabody, Ma. They let you come for a taste test, have different menu options and were super affordable. They include table linens, napkins, plates, cutlery, chair covers and can provide chairs. They also offer sit down dinner, buffet or family styled. We decided to opt for family styled. With everything included it came out to $59 per person.
If you’re North of Boston J. Cakes is a great choice. She was so flexible in flavors, pricing ($252), payment and when it comes to your one year she gives you the option of baking you a new cake instead of having to freeze one over that whole year. Yes, the cake had real roses in between each layer.
Our flowers were done by Petries Flower Shop in Saugus, Ma. After being quoted over 1k for floral arrangements I was astonished. Petries Flower Shop offers flowers through FTD so they are super affordable.
Save the dates and Invitations were through: Vista Print which cost under $300 for both.
We found a one stop shop for the tuxes and limo from Russos Tux which is located in Revere & Chelsea, Ma. Especially when needing a toddler sized. Did you know many places offer the same rate for a toddler and an adult? How mind boggling?
There are so many things to consider like hiring a DJ, church, photographer etc. Going to a wedding show definitely helps in starting the process but don’t make a decision in booking anything there. Since the wedding was in March I headed to a wedding show in Jan when everything was already booked. I figured why not. I was astonished in the prices I was being offered. The prices I had secured were way lower.
One Tip “Negotiate”
You will be surprised in what some vendors will offer you.
Happy wedding season 2017-2018
robin masshole mommy
I am south of Boston actually, but my sister’s best friend is getting married and she’s up in Peabody. I will tell her about this cake place.
Jalisa
robin masshole mommyOmg yes she is amazing and is so affordable.
GlamKaren
I LOVED the Knot when planning my wedding! Its such a on-trend and current way to learn about top trends.
The Spirited Sloth
Oooh that cake is sooo stunning. I’ve been a bridesmaid a time or two and this is really great advice. Not yet ready to apply it to my own wedding, but someday!
Jalisa
The Spirited SlothThank you so much.
Janel Berchielli (@JanelB)
My wedding was beautiful and all done in a small budget. I never understood why so many spend as much as a new car on their wedding, I’d rather have the car myself
Jalisa
Janel Berchielli (@JanelB)Or a 4 year college tuition haha
Chel Guild
Your flowers and cake were beautiful! My tip would also be to shop around before settling on any vendors.
Jalisa
Chel GuildDefinitely. Thank you.
Mommy Engineering
Awesome tips! I remember having to plan my wedding and it had its ups and downs! Saved a ton of money but man was it stressful! I’ll have to pass this along to my friends who are getting married this year! <3
Jalisa
Mommy EngineeringDefinitely. Thank you for reading.
Ana De-Jesus
That tux is seriously cute and it is great that you got your invitations done through Vistaprint. Not a bad price for all the invitations either!
Jalisa
Ana De-JesusDefinitely not. Just peeking around many places wanted $300+ just for invites. Then adding in save the dates can be hectic too.
homeboundbuthopeful
Lots of great tips here! And how adorable your little one looked!
Jalisa
homeboundbuthopefulThank you.
Tereza (@cityscapebliss)
Oh my god you both looked so lovely!! What a gorgeous wedding too – and I love how the cake matched the flowers, just beautiful! x
Jalisa
Tereza (@cityscapebliss)Thank you so much
FitSlowCookerQueen
Ah man. I wish you had written this 6 years ago before I got married.I definitely could have used some of these tips!
Jalisa
FitSlowCookerQueenHahaha. If you ever renew your vows you can always come back to this or pass this along to someone else.
journalizramirezgmailcom
I love to be thrifty! These are great ideas to save on a wedding! SUper love the cake, it is inexpensive but does not look cheap at all!
Jalisa
journalizramirezgmailcomThank you. We had to shop around. One place wanted $1.50 per person which we had a little over 150 people. This cake was 3 tiers. We definitely got a great deal.
thecoffeemom0617
I remember planning my wedding. It was so stressful and so many places wanted crazy amounts of money! Shopping around is the best thing you can do to get a good deal.
Jalisa
thecoffeemom0617Definitely
bashcraft2011
Your wedding looked beautiful! Aside from the fact that you are telling us that it was budget friendly I would have never known, it looks like a million bucks.
Happy 1 Year!!!
Jalisa
bashcraft2011Haha. I was able to find vendors that made the day look like we had it at a hotel or on a vineyard since we’re in Mass. I was so glad it came out so nice looking. Thank you for your kind words.
annalisanuttall
Planning for my wedding was the most fun I ever had! Lots of great tips and you both look lovely. xx
Jalisa
annalisanuttallThank you so much.
Stephanie Lowry
Such great tips! Looks like you had a beautiful wedding! Happy Anniversary!
Jalisa
Stephanie LowryThank you. The day definitely went by too fast.
planningthemagic
It’s crazy what people charge. I’m afraid for the day I have to plan a wedding and be ok with some of these prices.
Jalisa
planningthemagicYou definitely need to shop around.
reesann723
OH look at that cake! I love it!!! When I got married in 2015, I never even thought to negotiate. If I had to redo it I would have a much smaller wedding.
Jalisa
reesann723Haha yes. The catering bill and florist bill were a little too high. We were able to put those figures down a little especially since they were small businesses and not big corporations.
Meredith from Mommy in Leggings
You are SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! And oh my gosh, your cake is amazing! Love these tips!!
Jalisa
Meredith from Mommy in LeggingsThank you so much Meredith.
Belle
These are such great tips! Everything in your wedding turned out perfect! I will absolutely share this with friends of mine who are about to get married soon.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
cvnxena
Your wedding was beautiful and I love some of your choices! I enjoyed our big day too although wish I had planned a bit more!
Carolyn
I was on The Knot every day when I was planning my wedding. It has been 10 years but I can still remember every detail. I want to relive it again as the day went soo fast and I had such a great time.
Jalisa
CarolynHaha that was me in the beginning.
projectlifewellness
you were a beautiful bride! and that cake…wow! very very nice!!
angela@marathonsandmotivation.com
These are all great tips! I looks like a lovely wedding, I love your dress, Congratulations!!!
Jalisa
angela@marathonsandmotivation.comThanks so much.
Cara (@StylishGeek)
Beautiful wedding! Your post allowed me to reminisce to the time I planned my own wedding. It was one of the best days ever! 🙂
Heather Riccobono (@BrieBrieBlooms)
Great tips and you look so beautiful!!!
Jalisa
Heather Riccobono (@BrieBrieBlooms)Thank you so much.
thefashionableaccountant
Very lovely!! I adore the colors that you picked and it sounds like you got everything you wanted with an affordable price. Weddings can get so expensive and really all you need is family and friends, your groom, a perfect dress and pictures to look back on…everything else is just filler haha.
Dawn McAlexander
I never had a wedding. My husband and I eloped. I do appreciate your tips, though. I have had a few friends that have had weddings since my marriage, and they could have used your tips.
The Everyday Mom Life
The Knot was my favorite resource when I was planning my wedding. It was so fun to be able to watch it all unfold after all the hardwork.
The Trophy WifeStyle
So many great tips!!!!! I was all about Pinterest when I got married!! I pinned until the day of my wedding lol
Brittany
Oh man I wish I had here tips when I got married! I was 20 and planning a wedding ? It turned out well but it was crazy!
tata
Great tips. I shall keep them in mind when it comes to it.
Great pictures.
Happy Thursday! Kisses,
BLOG | TAISLANY
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
Beautiful pictures! I didn’t book anything through wedding shows either, but mostly because I am terrible at spur of the moment decisions! I am such a worrier and planner! I love Vistaprint too!
Jalisa
Vicki @ Babies to BookwormsThanks so much. Vistaprint was definitely an affordable brand.
Jessica
$15,000 for a venue!?! Whoa. We did our wedding on a budget as well (12 years ago… hey, we got married young), and it’s hard but totally possible! I am loving your suggestions. The Knot was my best friend during our planning and planning for my sister’s wedding a few years ago. And your flowers. Oh my goodness, they’re gorgeous!!!
Jalisa
JessicaHaha yes. My mouth fell to the floor when they printed the invoice. I had to go my route which we were so glad we did.
Karina Pacheco
Such great tips. It looks like a beautiful wedding and that cake, hands down so cute and perfect! Can’t wait to share this place with my friends down there.
Vaishnavi @ Dentmaker
Wow, the cake is so adorable. Great advice on negotiating. So true, we’d be surprised at what we get we negotiate 🙂