Budget Advise - Please help

MissG34

Ladies  -

Just a quick question:
 
What is/was your total wedding budget?

Fi and I are having some tough discussions over the budget and where/how much we spend. I would like some realistic idea of what normal people pay - not platinum brides (even though it is one of my fav shows!


Angela

Meagan78

Ours looks like it will end up being around $13-15k.

bRooklynRocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_budget-advise-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:4867a266-1776-4888-b212-fdd26760d48bPost:d25176bf-3a00-4177-acbd-1bb44c38de3a">Re: Budget Advise - Please help</a>:
[QUOTE]Ours looks like it will end up being around $13-15k.
Posted by Meagan78[/QUOTE]But for how many people is that? And does it include everything like dress and flowers and photography etc? Thanks much.

loop0406

Ours is around $15K including venue, dress, w bands, cake, dj, invitations, favors, bouquet, centerpieces, officiant, photographer/videographer, 100 guests.

pooh8402

12.5K with 100ish people, included EVERYTHING. in College Station.

MdniteMustang00

about 130 people...

about 15-18K (my estimate is about 16K, but my inlaws think its higher), including venue package (about 10K), rehearsal dinner, photographer, florist, attire, gifts, favors, invites, postage, etc, etc.

mtsookasem

My budget *was* $15K when I started out (150 people), but I have only booked my ceremony/reception venue (Safari Texas Ranch) and my photographer, and I am already at 15K (unless I downgrade to beer and wine reception instead of open bar). I am obviously having a hard time!

[Deleted User]

Our budget is between $15-20k but we are having 400 guests.

trust me! its no easy task, BUT it does help that the venue we have chosen (for now unless we change our minds and do the outdoors reception) is $10k and it includes everything except our transportation, video, photos, and DJ (which we already booked seperately).

I still need to book a DOC, buy my dress, BMs and GMs gifts, RB tux, ect. So yeah... that's where we stand

bRooklynRocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_budget-advise-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:4867a266-1776-4888-b212-fdd26760d48bPost:e7395349-fd46-45fa-b2ee-a23d60cd8198">Re: Budget Advise - Please help</a>:
[QUOTE]My budget *was* $15K when I started out (150 people), but I have only booked my ceremony/reception venue (Safari Texas Ranch) and my photographer, and I am already at 15K (unless I downgrade to beer and wine reception instead of open bar). I am obviously having a hard time!
Posted by mtsookasem[/QUOTE]Hey, I am going to be visiting safari ranch. Can I ask you some questions about the place? Thanks.

Meagan78

Sorry, yes.  $15k for about 125-150pp with venue, dress, photog, cake, DJ, WP gifts, etc.  That's for everything,

FutureMrsRoss2010

It looks like ours will end up $12-13k for everything for 75-90 guests. 

erollis

$10k is our budget. This includes rings, venue, honeymoon, and everything else. We will have a total of 100 people. The reception is Cake and punch (with snacks, soda, coffee, tea). We may go over budget by 1 or 2 k at most. I hope not though.

mtsookasem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_budget-advise-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:4867a266-1776-4888-b212-fdd26760d48bPost:cb4e71e2-848c-4aeb-be24-ce4454a2c65f">Re: Budget Advise - Please help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Budget Advise - Please help : Hey, I am going to be visiting safari ranch. Can I ask you some questions about the place? Thanks.
Posted by bRooklynRocks[/QUOTE]


Yes!! Most definitely :)

lcissell3110

 My FI and I are right under 7K and almost done planning. its for 75-100 ppl and this includes EVERYTHING...venues, dress, DJ, photographer, cakes, flowers, save the dates and invites.

jmkes

We are keeping it under 8K.  We will actually come in under that because so many family members are helping us out (my bro is paying for food & cake, my FMIL is paying for some of the deco & stamps, my aunt gave us money as our gift.)  We are doing everything very low budget.  No favors, no frills, keeping it simple.  A friend is our photographer and is giving us a great deal.  Another friend is our dj and also giving us a good deal.  Lots of friends who have recently gotten married are letting me borrow vases, candle holders, platters, etc.  We are trying to keep our guests to 180 (there's 250 total on our list but can't invite them all.)  We are also saving by having our ceremony and reception in the same place.  Same room as a matter of fact!

STBMrsMartin

Ours was about $18k included everything (dress, venue, church, flowers, cake, DJ, gifts, rentals, linens, food, drinks, candy bar, etc.), but the honeymoon.

ccrabtree02

Ours ended up around 16K and we did EVERYTHING budget conciously.  I do not know how people got out spending 10K or less.  This included everything but our honeymoon for right around 100 guests.

rillarson

My Mom and Dad are giving us $9500. Right now we're at $3800 and that includes venue, dinner for 180 people, DJ, dress, and stationery. I found someone who will do both of our cakes for around $750 and am budgeting about $2000 for our photography. So a rough estimate would be about $6500. I'm hoping to have some money left over so I can have a nice down payment for a new vehicle. 

miriellegirl

18K for everything including the honeymoon. We are two weeks away and we stayed in that budget the only thing that I cut out was videographer because it was not important to me.

Meagan78

Oh, my budget includes money from people.  My parents contributed $5k and FI's parents contributed $3k towards our overall $15k budget.

PJS001

Ummm. My budget is 8,000 at the most and that is including everything. I am saving huge on my venue and it is saving my butt. I am also DIYing everything that I possibly can.

MissG34

Thanks Ladies!


Thanx BUNCHES. I was thinking about 15K and he wants no more than 12k. It looks like we are in the same ball park.


A

ccallaway03

I must be the cheapest bride here...LOL!!  My whole wedding (everything) is just under $4k. Our DJ is a friend who is doing it for $150. Our photographer is my FI's aunt who owns her own photography company, she's not chargin us, but we are giving her about $150 as a thank you. My in-laws volunteered to pay for our main meal which is being catered by a close friend of the family who is giving us a STEEP discount, at about $2.00/plate! Our reception hall is a old country dance hall and is about $600 for rental for a week...LOL!!  I LOVE this hall, and have been going there since I was about 4. Our wedding is outdoors at an old plantation home in the area.  We are donating the pictures from the wedding for publicity for the selling of the property. We are also giving the owner $200. My cake is being made by a baker friend of mine, and will cost about $225, including a custom made cake stand. We are basically paying for the materials and her gas for delivery. Let's see...My dress was $250 custom made, and the grooms tux's are about $50/piece since they are only renting the jackets and vests. Oh yeah...this is for a wedding of approximately 350ppl. Security is being thrown in for free since my FI's uncle is our county sheriff, he is paying some of his guys to come off-duty and work the door!  It helps to know a lot of people!  LOL

bRooklynRocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_budget-advise-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:4867a266-1776-4888-b212-fdd26760d48bPost:f3cf35c1-a068-4294-9426-7213ee7e3858">Re: Budget Advise - Please help</a>:
[QUOTE]I must be the cheapest bride here...LOL!!  My whole wedding (everything) is just under $4k. Our DJ is a friend who is doing it for $150. Our photographer is my FI's aunt who owns her own photography company, she's not chargin us, but we are giving her about $150 as a thank you. My in-laws volunteered to pay for our main meal which is being catered by a close friend of the family who is giving us a STEEP discount, at about $2.00/plate! Our reception hall is a old country dance hall and is about $600 for rental for a week...LOL!!  I LOVE this hall, and have been going there since I was about 4. Our wedding is outdoors at an old plantation home in the area.  We are donating the pictures from the wedding for publicity for the selling of the property. We are also giving the owner $200. My cake is being made by a baker friend of mine, and will cost about $225, including a custom made cake stand. We are basically paying for the materials and her gas for delivery. Let's see...My dress was $250 custom made, and the grooms tux's are about $50/piece since they are only renting the jackets and vests. Oh yeah...this is for a wedding of approximately 350ppl. Security is being thrown in for free since my FI's uncle is our county sheriff, he is paying some of his guys to come off-duty and work the door!  It helps to know a lot of people!  LOL
Posted by ccallaway03[/QUOTE]I am about to roll over and die of jealousy <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cry.gif" border="0" alt="Cry" title="Cry" />

LMoon70

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_budget-advise-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:121Discussion:4867a266-1776-4888-b212-fdd26760d48bPost:7dc84330-145e-40d4-a4e1-7d5c7a49d3b2">Re: Budget Advise - Please help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Budget Advise - Please help : I am about to roll over and die of jealousy
Posted by bRooklynRocks[/QUOTE]

MEEEEE TOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  We are saving everything we can!  In fact, my fiance's entire paycheck is going into a "wedding fund" account.  So far, we only have 2300... but we still have 6 or so months before we have to start actually paying out for things!

jobie02

Just prioritize what is important to you and see where you can save money on the things not so important.

Angelamco

I'm trying to stay at 12K for 300 people, but it's definitely not so easy. I have some help since my brother is a photographer and a colleague of mine is a former DJ, but STILL it seems like all you have to do is put the title "wedding" in front of something and the price gets hiked ...honestly, why should you have to pay more to have your makeup/hair done for your wedding when we all know they do the same thing for someone going in for their prom? "wedding" cake ...tastes the same as plain 'ol cake to me. All that being said, keeping my focus on the marriage aspect -instead of just the wedding- makes me want to make the investment ...we'd all agree that's priceless, right?

5500 for venue & catering
800 for dress
300 for dj
600 for flowers (we're ordering them wholesale and making the bouquets the day before)
500 for photography (we don't want videography)
450 for cake
300 for reception centerpieces (DIY)
I am currently pricing invitations

~Angela~

ccallaway03

Yeah, I was freaking out immensely when I started thinking about the cost of everything for this wedding.  That's when I started checking around with people I knew. My FI asked his aunt to do our engagement photos and when she did such a great job, we asked her to do the wedding, expecting to have to pay the $3000 she charges, and when she volunteered we were ecstatic! My in-laws took us out to dinner one night and I fell IN LOVE with the chicken spaghetti at the place we ate at.  Come to find out, he's a family friend and is doing 2 dishes, chicken spaghettie(my fave), and a beef dish, yet to be decided upon. I'm leaning towards sirloin.  Plus, 3 sides, salad, tea, and all the utensils/linens. Our DJ is a friend of ours who owns his own Karaoke business. I helped him make his website so he is charging us basically just for the fuel to get here...LOL!!  Our cakes just kind of fell into our lap, since my best friend has been using the same lady for years for her cakes. I was friends with her, but didn't know she made such amazing cakes.  I'll make sure to post a pic of the cake after the wedding!  If it weren't for all of this, we wouldn't be having such a large wedding. We decided to forgoe the honeymoon to use the money as a deposit on our new house!  I can't wait!!

tranjuliet

Just make your budget the amount you're comfortable paying. The amount is definitely going to range depending on # of people, time/location, priority items and personal preference. Is it more important for you to have the venue that you've always dreamed of or the guest list you've always dreamed of, etc.

ClassicT

It seems like everyone has a pretty reasonable budget. Can you guys please post a breakdown of what you're spending on each category and perhaps the related vendor to help those of us that are freaking out? I have a budget of $15K and already the venue and food is supposed to cost $10K. That still leaves items like the dress, photography, videography, centerpieces, DJ, lighting, shoes and accessories, hair & makeup, transportation, grooms attire, wedidng bands, alterations, and favors! As you can see, I am freaking out because I don't think you can fit all those items into the remaning $5K budget.

Are you all including tax and tips in your total budget? I noticed many places charge about 20% gratuity.

kjnienhaus

I am in the same boat you are.  I have been trying to keep our budget at about 13k but it seems impossible.  Wanting to do wedding begin of April and checking out venues and I am running about 10k right now with food and drinks and freaking out.  Looking around 200 people attending.  There are so many fees and costs associated and worried about sticking in my budget.  Any advise for places in Central or North Houston?