Sept 2011 Wedding

sararuddock

I am getting married in Toronto on Sept 24th 2011.  We have a limited budget, although my fiance's parents have graciously paid for the wedding ceremony and reception (which will be held in the same place) and the cost included open bar and dinner.  We still need to pay for a dj, wedding officiant, wedding outfits, photographer, centerpieces, favours, cake, invitations, flowers.....basically everything else!!!  We plan to have a Jack and Jill closer to the date however in the meantime there are many services which require down payments.  My question is how much is the average cost of these things and when is the latest possible date that I could possibly book them? Any tips are appreciated.

ring_pop

Every item you listed has a very wide price range, especially in a big city like Toronto. You just need to determine what your top priorities are and dole out your budget accordingly.

For example, I've seen photographers in Toronto from $500 (wouldn't recommend it) to $5,000+. I assembled my centerpieces myself using inexpensive wholesale flowers and dollar store vases for less than $5 each, but the sky's the limit when you get them professionally done. I saw wedding dresses as low as $300 but you can get designer dresses for thousands.

To give you an idea:

DJ - we booked him on the spot at a wedding show and paid $600 for the most basic package. I know you can get fancier packages for $1,500+.

Officiant - $200-$300 (we used a priest so he had no fee)

Attire - my dress was about $900 total after tax and alterations ($550 for the dress alone). DH bought a nice suit for $500. I think you can rent a tux for around $125, or he can wear a suit he already owns.

Photographer - ours was less than $1500 (digital files only) but I think her fees have gone up considerably since then. Several others that we really liked charged around $3,000. For decent quality photos, I'd recommend budgeting at least $1,000.

Centerpieces - as I said, ours were less than $5 each, DIY

Cake - I think ours was $450 but we could have easily gotten one for half that price.... it's just that we decided it was important

Invitations - I DIY'ed, I think they ended up around $4 each but it's definitely possible to DIY for much cheaper

Flowers - I paid around $300 in total but the labour was free (my brother's GF). If you're looking at a florist, expect the bride's bouquet to be at least $100 and BM bouquets at least $50. Bouts and corsages are generally $10-$20 each. If it weren't for my brother's GF though, I would gladly pay for a pro to do it. DIY is a LOT of hassle.

Littlin

Hello and welcome!  

The price of these services varies on location - downtown Toronto versus a suburb can make quite a difference.  I would book DJ, officiant, photographer as soon as possible, and you should be looking for a dress and attendant outfits (for at least the girls) in the next few months as they take some time to come in once ordered.  If you are using a florist, you should look into them as well.    You have a bit more time with the cake and invitations, as well as favours.

Let us know a little bit more about your wedding - what is your venue?  I can add you to the Canadian Knotties list as well if you let me know where you are getting married (city/town), and if you have a colour scheme you can add that as well.

ring_pop

Also, I'd say that your biggest priorities right now are to find a photographer and officiant ASAP. Photographers can book up a year in advance, and the officiant is obviously integral to your wedding.... you'll be really stressed if you can't find one later. And also buy a dress, which could take up to 6 months to arrive (you'll need time for alterations too). Then look into DJs.

Invitations, cakes, flowers can be done in the spring. You'll want to send your invitations out around July; slightly earlier for OOT guests.

Oh, and we skipped the favours.

StephieBow

Toronto has a pretty wide range of prices (so I've learned as I'm getting married August 27, 2011)

Much like the other girls have said, my priority was my photographer, my venue and my DJ. In terms of booking, I would book your officient asap, venue and your photographer.  They book up fast.  (and sometimes you can get some deals, I got an early booking rate from my photographer... most photographers in the GTA are $1500+.  Sometimes you can find someone who is just starting out to do it for less.)

My florist gave me great prices, she was by far the cheapest I found.  You can do flowers yourself (I know people who have) but if they are wilted or not quite fresh you are accountable for it - a florist has to guarentee that everything is beautiful. Remember, to save some cash you could always do a centre piece that isn't floral (I'm going through these options now myself)

Do you know where you're having the wedding? (Venue etc) it might help us all give you some pointers!

You're right - deposits are a killer.  Maybe your future in laws can spot you some of the money they would be giving you for the reception and you'll make up that difference at the wedding? (Gives you more time to save.)

unplainjane

in terms of cost savings for a dj you could do ipod. we have a friend that put together a playlist for a  wedding and it went really well and lots of people were dancing. you just need someone to tweak the volume sometimes.

for wedding outfits you can get dresses under $1000 at places like dressroom and some stores on spadina and orfus road. or check on craigslist for used dresses.

centerpieces and invitations you can do diy. and don't do favours. for a cake get a small one and have them make an extra slab to serve. i found dufflet prices surprisingly reasonable but i'm sure you can find cheaper.

i found it hard to find an inexpensive photographer. you'll have to do some research on this. i found the cheapest was $1500 and average was $3000. you could possibly find a student at a photo school such as ryerson that has some experience.

i think you can totally do things with a limited budget but you need to do more research and legwork.

good luck!

sararuddock

Thank you all. I received some really great advice.  We are getting married at Villa Colombo on Lawrence and Dufferin in Sala Caboto.  I was thinking of doing red or black for bridesmaids dresses but I have been wavering on that.  We will be getting married outside at 5pm on Sept 24th and I am really concerned about the weather being cold or rainy and am wanting to take that into consideration when chosing our outfits.  My fiance is Italian so there will be many aspects, such as cuisine that will follow his culture.  We hope to have a non denominational ceremony.  There are so many small things to keep in mind and to work on and without the budget for a wedding coordinator it is kind of intimidating.  I have a few friends that do offer some of the services that we require such as a friend who dabbles in photography and has done some weddings in the past.  I am thinking, after your advice that I will take him up on what seems like a great offer to do it all for $1500. 

lalap69

I think PP have offered you some really good advice on bookings.

The only thing I'll add is not to count on money from the Jack & Jill to pay for the rest of your wedding.  I know that these fundraisers can be lucrative, but you don't want to run into a situation where you're counting on money that you never end up seeing.  Plan for what you can afford right now.  You can always use extra money you make to upgrade the packages later on.

AngelinaW

Hey Littlin,

Can you please add me to the Canadian knotties? I am getting married Sept 4th in Burlington, Ontario at Geraldo's at La Salle Park.

Thanks in advance

Littlin

Done - I can add your colours too when you know them - just send me a message!

AngelinaW

Awesome, thanks a bunch

I think our colours will be deep purple bridesmaid's dresses, peach flowers. Where do I go to see the Canadian board?

Littlin

Here: https://sites.google.com/site/canadianknottiesbio/