I will never skip another Jamie Wolfer ad because my wedding would be a disaster without her😂

HECK YES. No favors, no save the dates, no programs, minimal florals, I'm gonna ROCK this budget wedding!

As a wedding gift to my step son, We payed for a caricature artist. It was an ABSOLUTE HIT!!! Everyone wanted one badly. The artist even did a caricature of the entire wedding party photo, to be framed. It was their favorite gift. Absolutely everyone loved it, and it cost us less than $350. So I highly suggest for anyone getting married to ask for this to be a gift.

Did I just replay this video bc the first time it didnt show any ads? Yes.

I love your tip on not doing wedding favors. I didn’t do any for my wedding either. I personally HATE the idea the we’re supposed to send guests home with a dumb little gift AFTER we just paid for food, dancing, and drinking for 100+ people. Like every guest just enjoyed a nice free meal and alcohol, they don’t need a silly gift with my wedding date on it too, in my opinion.

oh i didn't know that, i will let the ads play.

For my save the date, i sent out a video to all my guests with my fiancè and i hanging out and the date towards the end, everyone loved it because its different

Literally 100% agree with everything on this list with the exception of extra lighting, ONLY bc I want to use my wedding to buy a ton of string lights I can repurpose for my house after 😅

Advice for writing vows please

Unless the favor is something to eat or drink, people generally just throw them away

I liked that you talked about the $2 equals $200 and what else you could add or save to your wedding. We have a saying in our house "death by $10" meaning 5 or 10 here or there weekly, daily can add up to thousands of dollars in a year. Which, if you are planning a wedding or vacation or (fill in the blank) can be a game changer. To the people drinking a starbucks coffee three times a week, $15 x 52 = $624. Little changes can make a huge difference

If you’re getting married in a church that has a liturgical cycle, try to book your wedding the Saturday after Easter Sunday or within the octave of Christmas. Churches go all out with flowers at that time. You could also talk to the Altar Guild (or who ever does the flowers) about donating the money for the flowers for church that Sunday and ask if they can do them for Saturday because you’re getting married that day during tell the. What you’re looking for. Our church has a professional florist who donates her time to do the flowers Friday afternoon. This way you can get a charitable tax receipt.

Instead of favors (and placecards) I’m getting a pack of black and white thank you cards from Hobby Lobby (for $10 total) and writing everyone personal thank you notes for coming to our wedding. It saves on favor money, doubles as a place card, and takes up that blank space on a charger for aesthetic purposes, without getting custom menus printed for lots of money. And it makes everyone feel special, and makes our wedding more personal.

Me: skips original 5second ad out of habit Jamie: asks if I can watch ads Me: reloads KZfaq, reloads video, watches two ads totalling 3.5mins 🤣 We got you girl!

FAVORSSSSSSSS!!! Guuurl. The wedding is a favor enpugh! Darn.

It is so satisfying to watch this video and see that, as a bride aiming to remain under $10K, I'm actually following all of these tips already

The things I skipped to save money were... - isle markers - programs - wedding favors - corsages

So far I’ve saved money by: - having our friend officiate it ( free and he knows us ) - doing three small cakes from a bakery we love instead of paying wedding tax for a big cake. We have other deserts from our caterer anyways. - all the thrifting - marrying into a Mexican family and having godparents to help pay for things ( band, drinks, and photography covered )

I'm thinking of having some sort of take home container for a favor. Like a mason jar or paper box that guests can use to take home leftovers or the desserts that they didn't eat. Because the number one thing I've seen at the weddings I've been to (or worked as a waitress at) was that no one got to eat all their food or desserts. And the couple ends up with enough food or desserts to last months.

Things to consider cutting if you're on a budget: 1. Florals -- arch florals, aisle florals 2. Specialty lighting 3. Dance Floor 4. Transportation 5. Wedding shoes 6. Lawn games 7. Kids stuff / kids entertainment 8. Champagne Toast 9. Paper -- including save the dates 10. FAVORS.

About the shoes: you could also buy a well made comfortable pair in color that matches your theme. Mine were beige and i am going to wear them thousand of times after my wedding :)

Have always let the ads play! I appreciate you not putting 5 in a 10 minute video like some other KZfaqs. Sending much love

Things I skipped at my wedding: Transportation Favors Champagne Toast Corsages and Boutineers (DIY'd fake ones) Toss bouquet Garter Menu Cards RSVP cards (made a website)

I designed and purchased 100 super cute and simple Save the Dates from Walgreens for $35. Googled a coupon! Came with envelopes too 💁 just had to buy stamps but needed those for the invites anyway. Plus just handed out the ones to people I see all the time like family and church peeps. I have gotten SO many compliments and I loved getting to feel like I was doing something to get other people excited too!

Balling on a major budget over here. Paid about .35 cents each favor. All dollar tree. 4 pack of clear tea candle holder, 20 pack of tea candles, adhesive gem strips and a dot of hot glue. That’s all and they look like something anyone would pay $5 each for. Seriously look into it if your dead set on favors!

PLEASE DO A VIDEO ON TRANSPORTATION!!! IM LITERALLY BEGGING YOU OMG!!!!

Hi Jamie! I am planning a 40th anniversary/ wedding. When my husband and I got married 36 years ago, we couldn't afford a wedding. We got married by his step mother, who was a notary, in his dad's living room with both sets of his parents, and my mom. We didn't have a honeymoon because I was to start a new job 4 days later. SO! We are having my dream wedding on our 40th anniversary. CRAZY??? I know, it's still 4 years away, but that gives me time to save, save, save! Time to DIY, DIY, DIY! I am planning to pay for the venue, caterer, and rentals on a "lay-away" plan if you know what I mean. I have already spoken to two of the three, and they agreed to do so! You see, I am retired and we aren't debt free...YET! My question for you is... do you have any vow ideas? I haven't had a chance to do much research, but I have read a few. Not real crazy about what I've found so far. Please let me know what your thoughts are! Donna Payne

I just ran into your channel and I’m loving all the content. In 2020 we lost our event venue (Noah’s Event Venue) due to fraud and never got our money back. Then the pandemic happened so our ceremony has been overdue for 2 years now 😅but in June 2023 we expect to have our budget friendly wedding at last and you are making it so much easier for me to wrap my head around it. ❤

I’ve always thought favors were unneeded because I enjoyed free drinks and food and came to the party.. I don’t need to take something home! Also, my friend did a donation in honor of their wedding to an animal shelter. They didn’t disclose how much, so that could be a way to save on cost. They made an announcement and everyone cheered I loved it

We cut out favors at our wedding! Instead, we went all out on a dessert bar and allowed guests to take home the extra desserts, food, and flower center pieces. Helps with clean up too :)

So superrrr cheap aisle idea!! Paper bag, a tea light, small flowers and stickers or cricut decal! Decorate your bag with flowers, put a tea light inside and set them down the aisle !

Woah woah, what?? $900 for light installations? Can you please talk more about that?? I thought that would is just be going to Walmart buying more string lights after Christmas ends and just laying them out.... what am I missing??

For save the dates and invitations I always suggest Walgreens! They always have sales going on. I got my save the dates for 8 bucks! Just a suggestion for any bride who does want em.

I think paper goods are a big part of the "details" that we photographers are looking for. That being said, you don't need 80 peices of it for the average bride. You could even limit unique items like name cards to the head tables, so that you get that "wow" factor in your photos, but save on the coin as well.

My friends wedding there was no favors left. She had honey jars, cute key/bottle openers and home made thumb print cookies (that I made) and there was not 1 favor left! I’m definitely doing favors because I know my Mommom will be looking for one 😂

Sad about the lawn games comment lol as a future bride who hates dancing (I know boo me) it such a more fun-sounding activity than being embarrassed on a dance floor haha. Were planning on having a lot of options for lawn games so it feels more like a backyard summer get together than a formal event. I guess we're also just not going a very traditional route so that adds to it.

I LOVE flowers. We're not even having a photographer because we both hate photos, but I would sell my soul for some drool-worthy dramatic flowers

When my roommate got married I helped make floral headbands, but we used fabric flowers. I think her bouquet as also fabric flowers.

you don’t understand how much relief you give me after every vid of yours that I watch and you tell us we don’t need the list of things you say. #brideslovejamie

Some florals Lighting Dance floor Transportation Wedding shoes Lawn games Kids stuff Champagne Paper Favors

Also, these videos are a life saver! I am "pre planning" my wedding (will be engaged within a year, as my boyfriend and I have discussed it), but also helping a friend if mine plan hers!

I make digital wedding stationery and you're completely right about cost saving! Brides spend thousands on paper SAVE THE DATES that get thrown out and end up on people's phones anyway!

Can you do a video about restaurant reception? I am on the fence about it. I am not a dancer, and not big into major reception traditions. I like the idea of enjoying family without the giant over priced show. ❤

Rewatching this to refresh my memory, and help me with my budget. I am following most of these, although I'm doubling the favors as thank you's. I'm getting mason jars (cheaply from thrift stores), and, using a cute soap mold I got, adding some little soap bars, along with a snack bag or two for munchies if they want. Top it off with a simple card, and they have 1. something to keep, 2. something to use, and 3. a little something to nibble on, whether at the party, or later. Since I already had most of the stuff, or was planning on getting it anyway, I figured "why not?" I'll definitely use any leftovers! 😄

champagne toast hack - if your wedding is still formal but not black-tie level, just have someone put a cold bottle at every table and let guests pour it themselves. then people can control how much they have in their glass (less wasted) and no servers needed.

Love the shout about letting ads play, I would've never considered it and literally the least I can do after everything you've done to help me plan my wedding 🎉❤

Great advice. I am doing favors though, they cost us about $.33 each. I’m also doing lighting in the form of fairy lights that I ordered from China at under a dollar each (about $25 to light the whole place). I’m saving by doing fake flowers and having my MOH arrange them (she was a florist), I’m making my wedding cake (I’m a professional), my fiancé’s SIL is a graphic designer and is doing our invitations at material cost, an old friend of his has a photography company and is doing our engagement and wedding pictures for less than half his normal rate, and the reception is at his grandparents’ church (which my artist bridesmaid and her team is decorating the night before). This is great because I only have five months of planning while working and going to college full time.

Can you do a video on the transportation thoughts?

I live in a place where everyone drives, so I think the expectation is that everyone finds their way to the venue themselves- I'll still double check though! But ways we plan on saving money are really helped by having our wedding in the winter- no lawn games, using invites that are the 3-in-1 style (lots of traditionalists and older folks in our family, so we can't get away with online invites), having only 70 max attendees. I just found flower moxie from one of your other videos, so thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

We are skipping - itinerary/agendas - menus - DYI florals (bulk costco) - favours - all decorations except the altar for ceremony

What my wife and I did was bought a house with the money that would have gone to the venue and we bought Edison bulbs from Lowe’s and hung them our selves. The floral gardens doubled as decoration. My mom played viola and the DJ and we already had the speakers and microphone because my wife is a musician. We cut alcohol completely and I made the cake. The “bridesmen” (lol) all had there own black suits. The only things we really had to pay for was dresses, food, some flowers, and the photographer. We saved a lot of money:)

You helped me plan my budget wedding. I still have 2 weeks before the big day! Wish me luck.

We are using postcards we've collected throughout years of travels as our save the date cards that direct ppl to our website. So everybody will get a different one. Yes, we have to hand-write all of them, but we like that it's more personal. And then we are thinking of making a video as the official invite. It's 2019, why does invitations have to be in paper form? Lol... Just our 2 cent...

I got married at the end of September but I'm still hooked on this channel

I recently found out about this website called something borrowed blooms and you can rent flower arrangements for pretty cheap then return them. The flowers are silk and a pretty good way to save money, I’m thinking about renting bouquets and boutonnières for my wedding party to save some money on florals!

Our wedding is next July 3rd 2021. And we TOTALLY just splurged on lawn games!! We got giant jenga, giant checkers and we have cornhole!! Mostly because I'm not planning on dancing all night. That's just not what I'm comfortable with. I hope our wedding vibe is like glorified 4 th of July party/bbq.

I have let the ads play on my favorite content creators ever since Jamie asked this of us. No regrets.

These are great tips. For our wedding we're cutting: most florals, specialty lighting, transportation (our getting ready/ceremony/reception locations are all the same place), multiple shoes (I'm wearing sneakers yay), lawn games, champagne toast, programs/menu, and we're 50/50 on doing favors - we'll make a decision about that right before the wedding. Thanks for the tips! As Jamie said in a prior video - the best way to save money is to not spend it.

I think I agree with the lawn games to a degree - For example, if the guests have to go out of their way to find the lawn games, I can see how they may not get used as much. Whereas, if one is at a venue where the grassy area is in the middle of everything where most of the guests are hanging out, they might get used more. So maybe it's worth the investment in that case. So, I think it just depends on the location of the lawn games within the venue.

I found really good party supplies on temu, like ribbon, ties, utensils and more. I did the math on the unit counts and it's cheaper than buying dollar store utensils, decoration etc and still get the look that I want. For less necessary 'looked at' details it's great

Okay save the date magnets with a lovely engagement photo are amazing.

Agree, cut favors, I throw them away, I never look at the programs, skip champagne...so many ways to cut costs!

I'm also a huge fan of skipping boutonnieres all together! I think they can look a little like prom, whereas a pocket square can be so classy!

Here’s my main cut: no bridal party cause I don’t have friends.

Yess, I've almost done all these.. Purchased a giant jenga, it was cheaper than renting.

We got married in September for less than $5k. We did all the flowers for under $200 from Costco, we did fun punny favors - lifesavers with handwritten 'mint to be' tags and little jars of honey for our sweetest day. We also gave the mercury glass votives that were on the tables with candles and flowers to the guests. We tried to mostly buy things for the wedding that we would have a use for afterwards.

I’m so glad you talked about letting the ads play. I had no idea!

I don't skip ads for my favourite youtubers, especially those with smaller followings. Before this video there was a wedding related ad which I thought was fitting:)

I’m doing books as part of my centerpieces and gonna let people take one home at the end of the night if they want a favor 😂 Also picked them out at goodwill on a sale and got a lot from the Christian section since most of my guests would enjoy those ones 🤷🏼‍♀️

I was thinking of bring my sons Toddler house and slide to the venue. Keep it simple and does not cost me anything.

Legit going to watch ads from now on! Love your content and it's been SOOOO helpful with planning not ONE but now TWO daughters' weddings this year!

Not the kids table. I was super excited about it!

Omg I so wish I listened to this video before I planned my wedding. I have been planning since 2020, have already bought favors before Covid.

As for shoes - I got a pair of nude 2.5” block heels from Amazon for $25. They did start to hurt once I started dancing so I wish I also had a $25 pair of flats as a back up, but $50 for 2 pairs of shoes is a great alternative to $200 for sparkly stilettos (even if they are gorgeous)!

I was a kid in the early 2000s and kids are very capable of entertaining themselves. Whether it’s playing with this cousins, dancin/ running around or the iPad I say save your money 🤣

Also something to think about. If you have a decent colour printer there are TONS of cheap/free wedding stationary printables. Buy a big pack cardstock from staples for like $30 and print all your place cards and programs etc. It costs significantly less than getting custom stationary and no one will notice.

Regarding the kids activities a cheeper way to do something fun could be printing of activity pages you can find online free (E.g. word searched, spot the difference, wedding bingo, colouring pages etc.) and getting some party bag size crayons or markers and just sticking them at the place settings of the kids encase they need something to do during speeches.

Thanks for NOT having so many adds🙏🏾 and you keep your content enjoyable and not boring❤️You’re Amazing Girl😘

A really awesome company that could save you a toooooonn or money is called Something Borrowed Blooms! You can rent literally any floral items or decorations you need from them; they come pre-arranged and you receive them 2 days before your event and then you ship them back the following Monday. Literally about 30% of the price of normal florals and decor and it’s so GORGEOUS!!

I just got my wedding dress. I'm so excited to get married and I'm thinking about having instead of having real flowers I'm thinking about having a paper flower bouquet. Especially since one of my main decorations in the reception will be the origami butterflies I've been making.

That's so kind of you to ask about your bride's feet.

I never new the adds support you. Thanks for letting us know how to bless you as you have blessed us❤

Great tips! The only thing I wouldn't skip are save the dates. We decided to go with Save the Date magnets that we were able to get from Etsy for $100. They're simple and cute, and people can keep them on their fridge for 10+ months before the wedding so they will constantly be reminded of our wedding date when making plans.

Omg I totally let the ads play ONLY for you and Michel’s videos! Love you both!!

Will no longer skip ads :) For aisle/ceremony flowers, we are doing the hanging jars with flowers on the chairs and having them placed on cocktail tables and by the card and guest book table after the ceremony. Making some decor multi-purpose seemed to help us out cost-wise.

PS a big money savers for me not listed here is no photo booth, having select friends bring desserts for dessert table with a small cake as center piece and no wedding party proposal gifts...but a small gift day of the wedding of course.

I’ve recently started planning my wedding after being engaged for 5 years and I’m OBSESSED with your channel! Thanks for all of the advice, I feel like I’ve learned so much!

Thanks for introducing me to Psychic Donna Jamers! I will never skip another ad! 🙌🏻

Literally still doing favors because they’re gonna be succulents and ya girl can take them home 😏😏 #masterplan

I honestly had NO clue about the ads contributing to your income... but duh, makes sense!! Ok - now I'm off to rewatch all the other videos I saw and let the ads run :)

I am 50!!!!!! This is my 2nd wedding! I am marrying a guy WHO HAS NEVER BEEN MARRIED!! He asked me “when do I walk down the isle?” 😳 OMG! And I am working SOLO my friends live all over the US and my family is elderly and beyond minimal! Oh! And did I mention that I am in a constant slap fight with Covid? Anyway... one late late night I came across your YT!!!! AND NOW.... I carry my phone and listen to you everywhere - in the tub, gardening, working out, on Zoom meeting- that I should be paying attention to!!!!! Because I teach 1st grade and public schools come Fall are going to be Insane in the Membrane!!!!! 🤦🏼‍♀️ You have made so much sense!!! I don’t listen to anyone else now! I love that you talk fast and are to the point AND HONEST!!!!!!!!! Still not sure I’m gonna pull this circus off but you keep my mind straight and get me fire me up!!!!!!! Thank you!!! Wish you were here I would hire you without hesitation!!!!!! There are stars in your crown sister!!!!! Thank-you!!!! Bride love from this human in Oklahoma!!!!!!!!! Gotta throw this in “Reach Out and Love Each Other - People are Crying out - Don’t ignore it! Don’t be too busy! Pass someone at the G Store and smile with love on your face and Say anything!!!!!!!!! #GraceMatters #Startwiththemaninthemirrior! #MakeAChange!!! ☮️

Hey love, Ads don't actually play before your videos for me. Sometimes in between I'll get an ad but I never get one before your vids! Hit me with all the ads you'd like!! You were a MONUMENTAL help in my wedding planning process and I had a KILLER wedding on 11/15. Thank you for all that you do !!!!!

I'm going to have five children maximum at my wedding but they're all really close family and one of them is going to be in my wedding. I found some really cheap puzzles like, literally a buck a piece. That way they'll have something to do that isn't so taxing on my wallet or the parents, plus as a little you gift for the moms in a way. Since most of my guests are driving 4 + hours, it feels right to supply them with something that can occupy the kids on the way back.

I agree to all this except the champ toast. Our whole wedding is going to be non traditional (we’re eloping in a national park and having a reception party at home a month later) and I feel like a toast will make it feel like a wedding. We’re only doing a cash fund registry and one of the funds people can contribute to a champagne toast and we’ll thank those people during the toast.

Can't have florals, as my partner has quite bad hay fever. As I'm quite far out (haven't even set a date) my shoes are the only thing I have. They're my "something blue". Genuinely got a relatively expensive (£60+) pair of suede heels for around £5. They're low heels, so are easy to dance in. Also couldn't be bothered to match the white of the dress to the white of the shoes. Plus I want my bridesmaids in blue. Plus, I'm not doing a garter toss - the traditional "something blue" in a lot of places - so I am saving money there, by not buying a garter. Genuinely here for the money saving ideas.

Didn’t mind watching the 5 min ad since it was on something i was actually interested in

I’m so glad you mentioned the shoes! My mom was shocked when I told her I was just buying simple flats or sandals on Amazon but I just realized that they’re A. Going to get ruining at our farm wedding B. Will be hidden under my a-line gown anyway!

Good tips! Important one still to mention: choose a venue, where you may SELF-CATER! Choose self-catering if you have family/friends that can cook a bit and have a nice buffet. Or mix the self part with the caterer part and let the caterer fill in your specific blanks. Saves a ton of money, at least on the drinks! Another huge cost saver in that case is: Have a candy and/or salty buffet, so people can choose what things to nibble on in between and after meals. Fun to set up and yummy to each individual taste. Another tip is rent for an affordable price. Florals can be expensive. Fake flowers can look so good nowadays, that one can hardly tell the difference and they cost a fraction of the real ones. Last tip is choose a theme that's more natural and mix and match what you have.

With the kids stuff. Why have a whole table? Dollarama little surprise bag in a basket before the wedding. If they don’t take them stocking stuffers for Christmas lol

I only paid for half string lighting. The wedding booked the day before me purchased full string lighting so they left it all up for me. Also, I left out arch flowers and centerpieces to keep the vendor out of wedding venue package (saving tax and service cost on venue fees).