Budgeting Heart Attack

evilstepmom

So I've just started this wedding planning/site shopping (thanks for the Sedona advice btw!) and I almost had a heart attack tonight! I started a spreadsheet to compare sites, and after laying it allllll out, realized that some of the "cheaper" sites were just as expensive as some of the others once you added in all the expenses they separate out! Does everyone go through this sticker shock or was I just naive? Ouch! My fiance was just like "well I guess we need to slash the invite list". Yep.

lcarp203

I think that your innitial response is normal.  When  I started to compaire sites, I told my fiance that we were going to elope!  Hang in there and keep looking at your options.  You will get creative!  It will all work out!

1104*Celsius

Sounds normal to me. This is why we had a 2-year engagement, to save for the wedding we really wanted.

JenniferBultman

Oh ya, I went through the same shock when I started putting down all the deposits at once too- and watched the money run away...I agree with Celcius... have the wedding you want, but also the one you can pay for.  We paid cash for everything and I am SO thankful- here we are 2 months after the wedding and I have the all the wonderful memories, the photo's, the video (hopefully soon)... but that's it, no bills.

jaye321

Totally normal!  We did the same as Christie and had a long engagement so that we could afford the wedding we wanted.  It just depends on what you and FI choose to do.  Some don't care who is there or what the wedding is like, some people have huge guest lists they can't cut, or have a dream wedding they don't want to give up.  These are all things you'll learn to adjust for your situation.  Don't panic.  Just talk with FI about your options.  It sounds like you are both leaning towards cutting your guest list.  That is one of the best ways to save money!  Good luck!

sheriinaz

I had the same reaction at first. Especially with Sedona prices. We are having a small wedding (about 35) but it will be costing as much as some people spend when they have 100, I think. We are skimping on some things, like I am doing the music w/ an iPod, DIY invites from Michaels, and ordering flowers from FiftyFlowers and getting help from DOC to do floral arranging so that we can spend in other areas: photography, food & drink, reception venue.I don't know how many are on your guestlist, but cutting it down is the best place to start.

otisjib

Yea, I think that is normal. at first things sound great then you realize you are paying fees out the yin yang and service charges and renting the chairs...the bargain sites can add up quick! A long engagement and conservative guest list will help.

evilstepmom

We're already having a 2 year engagement (planning to marry Oct '11) but that's b/c I'm finishing grad school and won't be making money for another year. We started out thinking of 100 guests, and now we think we should get it down to 75. I dunno, I need to start really looking at the guest list. I'd hate to cut people I'd regret, but I don't want to go into massive debt either.

otisjib

You dont need to invite everyone you know! A wedding is quite emotional and intimate. You really want 100 people staring you down while you are saying your vows? Ew....lol.

NillaWafer10

We are very money conscious, so I can completely sympathize with you about the sticker shock.  Sometimes you have to sit down and ask yourself if it's all worth it.  I know a couple that spend 25k on their wedding, and are now regretting it, because they live in the smallest apartment with no money for a down payment.  Think about what's important to you now, and what will be important to you later.