Hawaii

Realistic Costs & Budget

Silly me for thinking that a DW would be the cheap route...I guess if you sacrifice a lot of things it can be quite afordable but for simple things it's really starting to add up. What is your ballpark final cost? We would love to save as much money as possible but I know that you get what you pay for. If you aren't comfy sharing your cost then please give me an idea or even a REALISTIC idea of what this would cost...

*I put some costs that I have been given in red if it helps*

Maui wedding
25 people
Private location (no beaches we need chairs for the guests) $1150
Ceremony (rental, minister,guitarist, arch-no flowers ) $1500
Dinner reception at a local restaurant with open bar during dinner $2500
Photographer $2500
Videographer
Coordinator $1150 
Cake$200
Bouquet for me and bridesmaid $350
Two Leis $150

We make decent money and can save pretty well but it's so hard to get a final amount in my head so we ahve a goal to look towards...thanks for the help!
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Re: Realistic Costs & Budget

  • breanessbreaness member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Depending on the leis you get they may be cheaper, ours are not even half that, and they may also be included in your coordinator package.

    Photographer may be cheaper depending on what you get, if you only need day of coverage you can get that for $1,500 or so on the island. We are bring our photographer from Baltimore, it's about $2,000 for her and her husband to fly + 4 nights hotel + rental car, and in exchange for that she's given us a free engagement session, wedding day coverage, a TTD session, albums from each, high res images from each, free 8x10 from each, and coverage of any excursions and or dinners in Hawaii.

    Coordinator fees typically cover the ceremony costs.

    The rest looks okay. I'm guessing you could easily shave off about $2k from your cost estimate.
  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    You can find a coordinator for less than $1K, that would be a good way to save a few hundred bucks easily. 
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  • edited December 2011
    That's about how much i'm spending (minus the cost for a coordinator).  Tack on an extra $1k for flowers though and another $100ish for cake :(

    I also thought  a destination wedding would be cheaper but there's more than the original 10 guests i thought would be coming now so the costs are racking up!  

    I kinda wish I had a ceremony back home so I wouldn't have to feel obligated to spend part of my honeymoon with friends and fam since they came all that way for our wedding..
  • edited December 2011

    Hi!  I am just starting to really plan, so I may not be a ton of help....but, we did book Paradise Cove on Oahu for our ceremony.  We chose the sunset package, which is $2800 and covers the location a grassy/garden area that runs right up to the water, chairs, chair covers, minister, guitarist or harpist for an hour, leis for the bride and groom, and photographer for an hour (along with a few other extras, like a tiki torch lighting).


    Now, there are a few downsides, like the luau that will be starting on the other side of the property (we were told the noise should be minimal and they will do everything they can to create a peaceful ceremony for us).  Also, you don't have a choice of photographer, the package covers their chosen photographer (so we may still hire someone else, but if you aren't incredibly picky about this piece, it is a nice extra).

    We aren't hiring a cooridinator, so I don't have any advice on that piece.  Hope this helps.

  • edited December 2011
    We have cut down on a lot!  We are also getting married at Paradise Cove, but will be using the public beach option then head towards the luau afterwards for our reception.  It helps because they give a discount if you have a State ID.  For every State ID that will cover 4 guests at the local rate.  It's a good deal because you get a buffet, entertainment, and a total of 3 alcoholic beverages for about $45!

    We couldn't imagine paying $3000 for a 15 minute ceremony! :) 

    We are doing cupcakes, 4 dozen came out to be about $200.

    Photographer for 4 hours came out to be about $1400.

    I plan to do the bouquets myself, watched a lot of DIY you tube videos and seem pretty easy.  Will get the florals at Watanabe and maybe Costco.  

    The main costs are photography and dinner!

    Good Luck!
  • tiggy5555tiggy5555 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This is very good information everyone! I'm baffled at how much it costs but I'm glad to see that my pricing is not too outrageous compared to what others are paying. I've already locked down a few things so now I'm trying to work around them to save here and there. I’m giving more details for those who are also in the planning stages so they can get an idea as well. We are definitely doing the wedding on Maui because it has major sentimental meaning for my FI and his family since his father passed away 6 months ago. I have never been there but we will take a very short trip this Sept to do the engagement shoot, confirm vendors, and give me a sneak peek into what I’m getting myself into LOL.

    Booked:
    The coordinator will cover me for the entire day, assist with dinner plans, decorate with all the DIY projects I plan on doing, clean up everything, provide the minister of my choice, on top of manage the vendors and normal day of stuff. I'm not sure if she provides leis I will have to ask... $1150.00 including taxes

    The photographer is covering me for 3 hours on my wedding day with a second photographer,, multiple locations, engagement shoot this year, TTD shoot, and a CD with both edited and original pictures, minimum of 400 pictures but averages around 600-800 pictures depending on how upbeat the couple is :)$2150.00 including taxes
    Location for the ceremony is the Olowalu estate, sunset ceremony, mid-week. With insurance and taxes it comes to $1140.00

    Not booked:
    Music. Hawaiian guitarist/vocalist for 1 hour, sound system with wireless mics for the ceremony. $700.00

    Rentals:
    Chivari chairs, wooden arch-no flowers, cake table, sign-in table, and deliver/set-up fees. $600.00

    Videographer.
    $????? Any ideas would be great!

    Hair & Make-up:
    $300??? Does this sound right?

    Florist:
    I don’t think I will need one if I keep things simple.

    Dinner celebration
    20-25 people, 2 appetizers, starter, choice of 3 entrees, 3 sides served family style, cake cutting, pre-set drink menu through diner, no place for a dance, private room, cake from local bakery, $2000.00 - $2500.00

    DIY PROJECTS:
    1. Save-the-dates
    2. Invites & Reply cards
    3. Ceremony Programs & fans
    4. OOT Bags
    5. Bridal bouquet and MOH bouquet
    6. Aisle décor (Petals and chair flowers)
    7. Guestbook and table decor
    8. Fruit platter, refreshments, assorted nuts for after the ceremony 9. Pre-wedding newsletter
    10. Small reception vases with single flowers, rocks, and candles.
    I’m guessing I will take on more projects but this is what I can think of right now. J 

    On top of all of this we will be paying for 5 nights for 5 family members to attend the wedding, as well as rental car and probably food for the condo or wherever we end up staying. Ouch it hurts already.......
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  • breanessbreaness member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Do you really feel the need for a videographer? Both FI and I are professionals in the video production field and we don't find it necessary.

    How often would you honestly watch the video? Would pictures suffice? 

    For us, it will.

    Hair and makeup estimate sounds right.
  • edited December 2011
    $300 for hair & makeup is about right, assuming you do not do a trial, and you aren't paying for the bridesmaid. 

    Videographer prices vary greatly depending on the quality of the artist.  How picky are you?  We are crazy picky, and didn't like anyone from Maui.  Everyone we looked at seriously was in the $3k-$5k range.  You can obviously get away with much less if you're OK with it.  There are a few on Maui, and a number of really good ones on Oahu.  Let me know if you want more info, but again, we focused pretty high end.

    Chivari chairs run about $15 a piece on island.  The regular white ones run $5.  There's room for savings there, especially if this is for the ceremony only.  I think the white ones look fine.

    Don't forget gratuity on any of this.  Tip varies from 10% to 25% depending on the service/situation and how happy you were with their execution.
    image
  • tiggy5555tiggy5555 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The FI wants a videographer but we are not on the extremely picky side. The chairs are also his idea he absolutely hates the white folding ones lol. The more I type the more I realize how much he has gotten involved lol.

    I'm all about saving money but there are some things he seems pretty set on and since he does everything for me I want this one day to give him all that he wants. I'm walking a fine balance of my thrifty attitude and pleasing my partner .... not an easy thing to do for someone whose nickname is "clearance" Wink 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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  • edited December 2011
    How many hours do you want the videographer for?  If it's 1 or 2 hours, you could do it for under $1000, probably less if you don't need it edited (highlight feature films cost a lot). 

    Also, just be thankful your FI is so invested.  I think many gals wish they were as lucky :)
    image
  • tiggy5555tiggy5555 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Tanq: I was thinking maybe just 2 hours. Enough time to capture us right before the wedding (finishing touches), the ceremony, recieving line, photosession and maybe the toast before we head off to dinner.

    My FI is a very good guy which is why I'm trying so hard to save money and keep him from working overtime shifts. Although typically weddings are for the brides I'm doing my best to make it about him. I love him so freakin much!!!! Smile 

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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  • edited December 2011
    What time are you going to be out of Olowalu? Are you going to need lighting there or just have things up on the lanai?
  • tiggy5555tiggy5555 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_realistic-costs-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:73Discussion:a9598863-6848-4b7e-b9c1-aeb32bf941a5Post:f75e6e48-6d77-4c93-be73-934c979d7421">Re: Realistic Costs & Budget</a>:
    [QUOTE]What time are you going to be out of Olowalu? Are you going to need lighting there or just have things up on the lanai?
    Posted by kaesha[/QUOTE]

    We should be out of there right after the sun sets and before it gets pitch black :)
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Our videographer is doing 4 hours of coverage for $1K.  I just feel like it's totally worth it to be able to see everyone in years to come being young and happy and in Maui!  Photos only take you so far, to be able to hear the voice of a loved one who may not be with you anymore in 10 or 20 years is totally worth the $1K to us. 
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  • carrieoz_76carrieoz_76 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    It's cheaper if you cut costs on location by having your wedding on a beach, but otherwise, the food is more expensive, and many of the private locations are as expensive as what folks here at home are spending.  Having fewer guests cuts costs, but the per person cost in Hawaii can be shockingly high.

    It's all about choices.  Hawaii can be expensive, or it can be not as expensive, depending on your choices.
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