Budget Help

[Deleted User]

Greetings!!! Apologies in advance for my long-windedness

The first venue we visited would be $8-9k for ceremony, reception, food & alcohol. We unfortunately assumed we'd be able to find more venues we like in this price range. After visiting and falling in love with 3 venues this weekend (Greystone Fields, Springwood, and Stonebridge Farms Nursery) we found out we were sadly mistaken as they are more along the lines of $14k, $20+k, and $14k, respectively (for 150 ppl).

We want to stay as close to $10k for the venue as we can, but we won't know exactly how much of our budget we can spend on the venue until we have estimates on the rest of the items. There are sample budgets online but they're either blank slates or the numbers are preset for a much higher budget than ours. Some vendors list prices but many don't.

I know the amount spent on certain items varies per wedding but I was hoping you all could give me examples of what average prices are for:

Flowers
Cake
DJ/uplighting
Invites/Save the dates
Hair (updo & possibly extensions bc I don't know if I can go through the awkward growing out period again)
Alcohol

I found some photographers I liked around $3k and we hopefully won't need transportation. And I am getting my favors at 0.80 cents a piece and we're going to put money towards our officiants plane ticket here. No clue about gifts for the wedding party yet.

I know it's impossible to know exactly how much of what I'll need since we do not have the venue yet, but input from local brides will at least give me a good starting point. THANK YOU!

mms2012

Here are the pricing ranges that my FI and I have come across in the Pittsburgh, PA  area:

Photography: $600 - $4500

Venue fee: $500 - $4000

Food: $30 per person - $120 per person

Alcohol:  $5 per drink - $10 per drink.... alot of places allow you to bring your own alcohol.

Cake:  $3.00- $6.50 per slice

 

heb557

Hi and Welcome!

I have to say if you looking for a "Barn esque" wedding they are pricey! The only one I could find within our "Budget" was way too small and would of had people actually sitting in lofts..which I don't think is a great idea.

Photography is a wide range, I think we will end up spending $2500-3000 in photography.

We do not have a venue fee, everything is wrapped up in our per person price and I'm so happy we went that route. 

Instead of doing a cake we opted for cupcakes, which I think you get more for your $$.WE went with Oakmont Bakery, if you get their attitude cupcakes they are amazing and I believe are $2.50 per cupcake.

Flowers are also a wide range. I went with a local florist which helped keep costs down. But you also have to keep in mind the more exotic the flower, the higher the price. 

Our Dj is running us around $800, but that's no bells, no whistles. 

Our invites were under $200, but again, they were not over the top.. I think our postage was around $200 too. (Save the dates, invites, and for thank you cards)

My reccommendation is do not choose irregular sizes that will cost you more in postage. 

The quotes I've gotten for up dos was surprising.. I found a local salon where i willl be getting my hair and make up done for $70. 

I would definitely take the time and look thru previous posts, and use the search bar. 

GL!

heb557

My Florist was Leechburg Floral, I deal with Vickie who is the owner.

My invite person was my darling FI, all we had to do was have our printing guy print them. It was fun and my FI got to use his creative side, he is a Graphic Designer though.. so I guess I was lucky!

[Deleted User]

Hi lynnmarie6 - what venue are you using? handmade chocolate seashells and a steel drum band! Can I come? haha that's awesome. thanks for the info.

Thanks heb557, that's awesome you were able to utilize your FI's skills!

lynnmarie6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_budget-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:116Discussion:4d0d603d-22e1-422b-b60d-8302e27169c9Post:8b0ae677-0f49-4834-bf44-14804ab883de">Re: Budget Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi lynnmarie6 - what venue are you using? handmade chocolate seashells and a steel drum band! Can I come? haha that's awesome. thanks for the info. Thanks heb557, that's awesome you were able to utilize your FI's skills!
Posted by futurekehrs[/QUOTE]

Hi - Well I know the venue may seem a little far away for some - Ellwood City, Shakespeare's @ The Olde Stonewall Golf Club.  I think because it is out of Allegheny County saved us some money.  I looked at a lot of locations and price wise this was the best choice - really wanted to be able to spend money on other things besides just renting a venue.  Sure you can come....the more the merrier :)

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_budget-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:4d0d603d-22e1-422b-b60d-8302e27169c9Post:d997c61d-5c3e-4b28-91f1-c9fce980473f">Re: Budget Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Budget Help : Hi - Well I know the venue may seem a little far away for some - Ellwood City, Shakespeare's @ The Olde Stonewall Golf Club.  I think because it is out of Allegheny County saved us some money.  I looked at a lot of locations and price wise this was the best choice - really wanted to be able to spend money on other things besides just renting a venue.  Sure you can come....the more the merrier :)
Posted by lynnmarie6[/QUOTE]

My parents live in New Castle so I extended my search out that way as well. I was going to consider Chapel Valley Estate but they wouldn't give me pricing unless we visited. And well, that didn't work out well with two other places we did that with so I'm not going to drive out there. Thanks!

lynnmarie6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_budget-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:116Discussion:4d0d603d-22e1-422b-b60d-8302e27169c9Post:1344fc35-da23-4d7f-804f-0dcdf95d1283">Re: Budget Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Budget Help : My parents live in New Castle so I extended my search out that way as well. I was going to consider Chapel Valley Estate but they wouldn't give me pricing unless we visited. And well, that didn't work out well with two other places we did that with so I'm not going to drive out there. Thanks!
Posted by futurekehrs[/QUOTE]

Hi again.  It actaully came down to Chapel Valley and Shakespeare's in the end for us.  Chapel Valley is nice....but I know what you mean, it was hard to get a price quote because obviously they use an offsite caterer - but I believe you can bring your own adult beverages....so that may help with the cost.    I would keep them as back up thoughts if all else doesn't work out.  I know we also considered the Priory - which was very nice and if you do the wedding off-season or on a Friday or Sunday you can save some money.  Hope it all works out for you.