I am curious about peoples wedding budget. Mine is $10 000.... for both the wedding and the honeymoon but it seems to be pretty tight (but I am spending a lot on photography).
Whats you budget? And if you aren't comfortable answering that, what are you saving the most money on, and what are you splurging on?? We spent more than that, but it definitely could have been done in less. One thing you definitely don't need is too many decorations for the church and the reception hall. My mom went a little overboard, and to tell you the truth, we only got married 6 months ago and I couldn't tell you what decorations were there. And if the bride can't do that, I'm sure the guests couldn't either. We spent the most on photography and videography, and a medium amount on the catering. We got lucky because my mom makes wedding cakes and one of the groomsmen is a dj so we didn't have to pay for those things.
We waited 3 months to go on our honeymoon. We had never lived together before so we wanted to adjust to our brand new house and just relax from all the wedding craziness. This also allowed us to use money we got from the wedding to pay for the honeymoon. (We went to Disney World, which was cheap and TONS of fun!)
My main piece of advice is don't worry too much about the little details because when its all said and done, the little details just aren't as important as you thought they would be, and 6 months later, you won't even remember them!
Congratulations on getting married, and good luck! You can email me with any other questions you have! spent about 2,000 total for 100 guests, but most of it was on our own.... now it makes me cringe when I hear the amounts people spend- you could buy a car, or a house down payment for one day. All in all our budget is about $8,000 not including the honeymoon. Our honeymoon we will probably just go somewhere near home (we live in MO so we were thinking branson or something). I am spending the most money on the catering and the photographer. Caterer is like $2,000 and the photographer is like $1,200. I am making my own flowers and centerpieces so that cuts back on costs. My fiance and I are only 21 and just got good jobs so we are on a very tight budget we are paying for everything. :0) My budget is $10,000 as well. We spent the most on the reception venue and the food. Everything else we tried to spread across evenly. If you spent a lot on photography then you are going to have to really stretch your budget in other areas.
You can always get creative with the honeymoon. Does a friend have a secluded cabin somewhere that you can stay in? It doesn't have to be much...after all, the honeymoon is where you two get to spend time together. Just a bit over $500.00. Really. We planned and paid for the whole thing in about 15 days. My budget is $20,000. I have $5000 of my own saved my parents are giving $6000 and my fiance is giving $9000.
It also depends on where you live on how much an average wedding cost I heard in the south it is cheaper then the east.
I am spending the most money on my reception site which is an old mansion and the food. It all depends on what is the most important to you. If you want your photography to be the most expensive then make your own invitations etc. You can have a beautiful wedding with $10,000 as long as you know how to budget. our budget is about $5,000 (not counting the honeymoon, no idea how we're going to afford that)
we're saving money by printing our own invitations, my mom is doing the flowers, i have a friend that is a photographer that's doing it for about $200, and the dress i want is only about $400
so far i think the only think i'm going to "splurge" on is personalized wedding cake toppers, they're $200, but it's made to look just like the bride and groom, and it's something i can keep forever, so i think it's worth it.
and they're so cute! Ohh, I have a LONG answer! My wedding was just under $16K and it was fantastic. We had it in Houston last March. We had 3 sets of parents who pitched in $5K each and we paid for the remainder ourselves, as well as the honeymoon.
Lets see if I can remember everything...We had it at a Bed & Breakfast so we didn't have to decorate 2 sites. It was outdoors, so we had a small floral bill, just my bouquet, a calla lily for each groomsman, and my BM bouquets. We also paid $60 for the greenery and flowers to be put around the archway. We bought our own cake flowers from Sam's Club the morning of for WAY cheaper than the florist would have done it for. We spent a pretty penny on our photographer because that's important to us, the memories that keep forever! I think it was about $3K for the photographer, and that came with a huge wedding album for us and some additional prints for my parents. The florist was his wife, so we got an additional discount there. I think our final floral bill was $400, but that included a huge $200 bouquet for me plus a free toss away bouquet. DJ was $500, outdoor dance floor was under $500, dress was $600, my jewelry was $30 (look for deals! Don't buy at bridal stores!), I used seal & send invitations and people RSVPd by phone so we saved on envelopes and stamps. My mom bought tulle from Hobby Lobby for under $20 which we decorate the aisle with (see pics at link below). My shoes were $45, my veil was $60, my makeup was free because I had it done at Estee Lauder at the mall and you just have to buy 1 or 2 products. We paid $6K for the wedding package at the B&B which included use of the entire house and Bridal Suites, wedding coordinator, bride's cake, coffee, punch, nuts, mints, experienced staff, security officer, parking attendants, tables, chairs, set-up, clean-up and one-hour rehearsal. After a certain number of guests, though, you have to pay an additional cost per head. I think it included 100 guests, and we had 200. So we paid a bit over the $6K price because of the number of guests.
I didn't want a DJ playing my ceremony music, so we got a string quartet to play for 2 hours for either $400 or $500, i can't remember. It was PERFECT for the mood. Very classy. They played after the ceremony during the cocktail hour while we took pictures, then the DJ played Sinatra-style music during dinner. We paid $150 for a professional bartender for the evening. This is a MUST so you're not liable when people leave if they get drunk and have an accident!!! We saved on alcohol by having 2 kegs (dyed green because we had it on St Paddy's day) and we bought wine by the case at Spec's Liquor so we got good deals. Liquor bill was under $1500 i think. Maybe even under 1K. My hair was $100. I can't really think of what else was there, OH we had a kids table with buckets with light-up bracelets, toys, and other fun stuff to keep the kids happy. That was under $100. Oh yeah, and we used big glass vases filled with water and floating candles for center pieces. It was lovely outdoors and the vase kept the wind from blowing the flames out. You can get clear vases at Target on sale, just keep an eye out! Ours were actually provided by the B&B, though.
We didn't do a lot of stuff ourselves because none of my family except my mom lives in Houston with me, none of his family does, and my bridesmaids were scattered all over the U.S.! It was a lot of work as it was, and I had nobody but my fiance and mom to help me. If you have friends to help, of course doing stuff yourself will always be cheaper. my budget was 10000 for the ceremony and reception... honeymoon cost us another 1000... but it all depends on what kind of wedding your going for and what kind of honeymoon your planning...
i would say you need more then that for both things... but like i said it all depends.
my photographer cost close to 800$.. to give you an idea, you could always just get a photographer to give you a dvd with the pictureson it and then you do what you want with them after wards... photogrephers charge so much just for a normal album which you could do your self and spend 10 times less on it...and it will look jsut as good..
thats what we did and it worked out great
the reception is what we spent most money on, because that is where everyone gets to enjoy themselves..
dj is another place to spend good money..
good luck with everything Ours is 10k as well. That's on the wedding only. I know we may go over, so I stress a little. We are saving money on photos because my uncle offered to do it. I'm also saving money on the dress. We are doing a Hawaiian summer wedding; so my dress Is formal but comfy as well. Also, we are not buying favors, instead we are giving everyone a shell lei as they walk in. Are venue had everything included, minister, DJ,dinner, set up, tear down, and cake cutting. So I think we lucked out there. I think our splurge is the fresh leis from Hawaii, and the open bar. That's a little over the initial budget of what I would choose to have for my wedding (mostly because I can't/won't spend more...) and the guest list is roughly 80 people. Just like you, I plan on splurging on my photographer and whatever package we pick.
We're not cutting on food too much, but as we're doing a brunch, it's much more affordable. We are cutting on decorations, and we're having the ceremony/reception in the same location in the early morning. Also, I'm not going with an expensive dress and most of the stuff will be DIY by me and my mum. We're finding that $12,000 in a major city doesn't go as far as you'd think! For about 90 guests, the bulk of our budget is going for food and drink (about 75%), which includes the venue, cocktail/hors d'oeuvres hour and cake. The next most expensive thing was the DJ, then the photographer. I got my dress for $98, so that saved a lot on what is often one of the most expensive items. We're making the invitations and thank-you cards, programs and place cards, which is saving quite a bit, too. We're not spending much on decorations or favors because nobody remembers them anyway. We're not renting a limo, either.
The honeymoon is not included in this budget. I'm spending about $3,000 total... I absolutely refuse to start my married life in debt too. What we can't pay for out of pocket, we won't be having. I think the overblown, huge budget weddings are a bit silly to be honest. For me, it's about the marriage, not the table favors, etc. I am spending around 2500...And doing it all myself...I am spending most of it on food and DJ...I am only getting a Photographer for the ceremony and formal pictures. Then I am getting cameras for the tables for my guest to take some pictures. I wish I had the money to spend more but I don't and I am glad that I am doing it all myself cuz then I know it will be perfect (well the way I want it)
Good Luck Wow... seems like everyone is spending tons. My proposed budget is about $2,000 for everything (including honeymoon) and I'm not having a hard time keeping to that budget at all (so far). I guess it all depends on what people want to do and what kinds of things they are getting. I had $1,000 budget. it was an extremely small wedding. most of the stuff i prepared myself. I had a backyard bbq.. and I have to say it was a disaster. My room mates were rude to our families... and they got drunk. So it would have been much better if we had just taken the money and went to vegas. Good luck.
P.S. We also couldn't afford a honeymoon because his family visited california for the first time. and we had to use our extra cash to take them around. another big mistake.
good luck. My budget is $5k, and we're eloping. I don't know if that will be enough either! We aren't going to Europe or Hawaii, just Sedona AZ for a week. I don't know how much mine ended up being in total, but I know that I scoured the area for reception venues ( I found one right on the water, beautiful glass doors, etc for $800.)
I also saved a lot of money by going to orientaltrading.com. That's a well kept secret. They have a wedding section. You can buy everything from table clothes to plates, whimsical gifts for bridal party, and all sorts of decorations. I got wedding bell cards, a wedding card box, flutes (with our names personalized on it (2 flutes were $14.99 with our names and date on it)
My parents own a timeshare and they let us use theirs. We went to Cabo San Lucas, MExico and stayed for free (minus food)
I would suggest doing that. If you are over 28, most resorts will give you a free trip as long as you listen to a short buying pitch. You can say no and not be obligated, but still get the vacation of in some cases, free massages. I would check that out.
I spent way less than $10,000 but had a great time! My husband and I got married 11/3/07. Our expenses went something like this: (Realize though, we got married in South Beach/Miami Beach, where prices are really at a premium, so if you live in a smaller town, you might see much lower costs in some of these areas)
We had 65 guests
Dress and outfit- $1200
Tux and outfit- $400
Officiant- $275
DJ (4 hours)- $600
Photographer- $5000 (included videography and edited video, 10 hours of unlimited photos- we ended up with 1300 photos, a 30-page album, and all images with rights on DVD
Reception- At Marriott South Beach $7800 (65 Guests, 4 hours open premium bar, fish as an entree, champagne toast at $120 per person, including tax and gratuities)
Cake- $350
Invitations- $300
Beach Ceremony Chair rental- Was supposed to be $500, but the hotel gave them to me for free
Miscellaneous travel expenses for us and some family members- $1500
TOTAL $17,925
I'm sure I'm missing some stuff, but this will give you a good guideline. Well, I didn't want to have a big wedding because i didn't want to pay for it, so my parents have given me about $4,000. I just never have seen the reason to spend all my money. I'd rather put more into the ring which we did.
I actually saved on photography because my uncle does it on the side. And my mother in law is a stylist so she's doing my hair, and the florist let me borrow all the vases, urns, stands, etc (small towns come in handy). We're spending the most money on the location and the food! Because the reception room is sort of small I"m hooking up the Ipod to a boss system.
Our honeymoon - I got a cabin because it's off season for $450.00 for a week. And we're going to be doing a bunch of hiking in the mountains, and some shopping so we'll probably hit $1,000.00? I spent $3410.00 on 120 people on the banquet which included my cake, 6 hrs open bar, a sweet table, of course dinner, wine, center pieces
On pic's I spent $0.00 my uncle does pic's on video it was $500.00
I had no limo we used my hubby antique vehicle it was nice.
DJ for 6 hrs $300.00
Total I spent including on dress was $6000.00 We spent about $30,000 on our wedding. My husbands parents put in about $17,000 of that making a huge difference. Otherwise our budget wouldn't have succeeded $15,000 probably.
It sounds like you should shop around a bit more for your photography if it's costing you that much. $10,000 is definitely do-able. Mine was $15,000. We stuck to it. We splurged on the reception. The food and the cake was amazing! I saved a lot of money on the flowers. I made the swag myself and the pew bows. I also are friends with our florist so my bouquet was my wedding gift from them. It was an amazing bouquet! Well we started at the budget of $10,000 now were at $15,000.
We are splurging on photography because I love photos and im very specific on that.
The dress im getting for under 200 dollars, and it's an amazing dress, it's not a plain one.
We are also splurging to get a classic car (once again to go with photography)
Our reception hall we wanted alone was $10,000, but I think I found one we like just as much for $5,000, for 100 people so that will help with the budget. And were still arguing over flowers. The flowers I want, i can get cheaper if i do my own bouquet, he doesnt want me stressed. I have told him people will help but he just doesnt want to bother with it.
Other than that we are still planning, but we may hit under $15,000 because of the new reception hall which is great. Our budget is in between $12,000 and $15,000, which will ultimately depend on how much we can save by August...Doesn't include honeymoon, because his parents are sending us to Hawaii (best in-laws EVER!)
guest list about 200. We found a venue where food and drinks will be around $7000. Photography is about $1000. I am splurging by hiring a decorating company to supply linens and chair covers and flowers...will run me about $1500. i feel like it's a lot but I know I'm being cost-conscious and smart about it. Congrats to all us lucky brides!!
8.8.08 <3 I had a very small at home wedding so it would not apply to most people's wedding budgets. I had a wedding the my aunt's house and only had a dozen people. The clothes, flowers, food, cake, rings, cake cost around $500.
However, I did help my cousin with her wedding and we did almost all the things ourselves.
Venue was my brother-in-law's church (he is a preacher) and had the reception there too. $0
Preacher (brother-in-law) $0
wedding dress found on sale of store closing (was just a chance stopping in) $165 on sale at 75% off
veil we made $25
3 brides maids dresses sewn by mother of bride $300
2 flower girls same $125
shoes for bride and BM (6 pair) $250
tux rental for groom and BM (4) $400
invitations (uncle owns print shop) $50 for 150
did a lot of the work ourselves since we grew up doing it
guest book/pen/ tablecloth $45
rented ferns $80 for 6
tall candle operas for aisle built by father of bride $75
built 4 columns for stage area (by bride's father and mother) $100
all flowers (for bride, BM, men, arrangements for wedding and reception) found great deals and bride's mother made $150
rented latice screens $80
candles/candle holders/tablecloths $80
food (we did croissant sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, fruit kabobs, cream cheese ball, veggie trays $200
wedding cakes (brides and grooms, made by family friend) $275
photography- I did for free
music- her brother in law did free
car to arrive and drive away in was her fathers '39 (i think) Ford Victoria.
She budgeted for 100 guests for the food.
total comes to: $2400 (there are probably a few things I am not remembering)
I know her budget was $4000 due to the fact she was using the money from a tax return and that was to include a honeymoon at a cabin in Tenessee for $800. She came in on budget and had $500 for spending on the honeymoon.
I did the rehearsal dinner since his parents did not show up. $100 for pizza and drinks and dessert. As i said, found out at the rehearsal, so we did the best with a bad situation.
I noticed that someone said that in the south we can do it for cheap. That's true. With all the DIY we had a great looking wedding but everyone's nerves were stretched to the limit. Groom and his parents were uncooperative. His parents acted very rudely. I, myself, had run out of steam by the time I had to take pics. (did most of the cooking, decorated the church and reception area for a total of 18 hours, ran errands like exchanging the men's shoes at the store for the right size, getting flowers and helped build everything, drove 300 miles to get the flowers she wanted at a warehouse) The list goes on.
I had a wedding the my aunt's house and only had a dozen people. The clothes, flowers, food, cake, rings, cake cost around $500. About $2500. Bought a vintage dress on ebay for $100. Love it, think Audrey Hepburn. Skipping dinner service at the reception and only having appetizers. Actually the reception will be more like a cocktail party. And only having a 2 hour reception vs. 4 hours.
Most money is spent on the hall rental and booze. If I had it my way there would be just beer and wine, but that doesn't seem to work for my family of vodka and scotch drinkers. Damn drinkers. LOL
And we're skipping the formal honeymoon and just going away for a couple days. We'll do the real honeymoon adventure on our first anniversary.
Good luck to you! $10,000 as well. He putting in $5,000 and I am putting in $5,000. We are spending most of your money on our honeymoon. We have cut out on a lot of other things. My daddy is a cater so his company is doing it for free. My fiance' and I are aiming for $5,000 with around 200 guests. We have been blessed with friends who can helps us out either for free, or very little cost.
His brother's a DJ.
One of our friends, and a bridesmaid, is a talented violinist and she'll be providing some music for the ceremony and reception.
Our friend is a cake baker.
My aunt is great with floral arrangements.
My friend is a photographer (he's a maybe).
One of my good friends is a great cook, and has offered to be our one-day caterer.
$10,000 is a down payment for a house, so you should have plenty of breathing room. 25,000 for hosting 200 people to a very traditional wedding, nothing fancy. We had no honeymoon, so that's not in the budget...
Most money went on awesome food, a full open bar, and amazing music! Did not skimp on fresh flowers, because it was special to us. Photography was middle priced. Videography was done by friends. put some money aside to cover the legal expenses when you divorce |
