How much did you spend?

NuggetBrain · March 2010

So I'm sitting around being depressed at how much my wedding budget has gotten blown out of the water. But I'm also curious to know what people spent on their wedding? I know this is asked a lot on the budget board, but I wanted an idea of something more local. What was the one item you spent the most on? What was your "greatest deal"?

To answer my own questions, I'm sitting at 22k for 140 guests, including everything except for the honeymoon. The thing I've spent the most on is the catering cost, and my greatest deal was getting our wedding night suite in the Marriot in downtown (bi-level suite with early check in on a Friday night) for $94 after taxes. It's normally $400 - still can't believe I managed to swing that one!

leggwilliams · March 2010

Ugh, I get upset at myself everyday when I realize how much we're going to end up spending. We'll probably end up around 25K for 175-200 guests. My best deal so far has been Neon Express for our DJ, getting our blossoming photographer right before her prices went up (her current prices for the package we purchased is $800 more then when we booked), and getting our candy buffet setup for only $50. Our splurge was our videographer. I'm TRYNG my dardenst though to save as much as we can in the areas that aren't as big of a priority....but it's hard!

izzyjenni · March 2010

After it is all said and done, I am not sure what our grand budget will be. I know intially we figured $15000 plus. But now it is probably more like $20K without our honeymoon. With my mom doing flowers and both sets of parents contributing respectably, we are paying for the taxes and gratuity on the reception site, invitations and other paper goods, out of town gift bags, our honeymoon, transportation expenses, hair/makeup, flowers for parents, presents to all involved, accessories, musicians, alterations, tips to other vendors, and a day of coordinator. It adds up so fast. I think our splurge was on the honeymoon and our musicians (violinist/strings for ceremony). Otherwise we are very lucky to have some contributions from our families that cover much of the wedding. I think the venue is our most expensive charge due to food and all. But I am happy with our decisions and know that I won't regret any of them. I keep adding things to our to do list and buying more and more stuff! It can be a headache to think about how much I am actually spending! Good question though. If I were getting married in my hometown in Wisconsin I know I would be spending a lot less. But minneapolis is my home!

Luswen · March 2010

Believe it or not, my FI and I are trying to swing for a wedding that's under $10k. He's just gone back to college and I graduated a year ago (students loans overload!). We're planning on waiting to take a full honeymoon.

As of right now, the most expensive bit of the wedding is the catering because it also falls into the room rental. We're only expecting 75-100 guests, and right now it looks like we're going to run just under $6000 for the food and reception hall. UGH.

But I really lucked out with our photographer: ElisabethAnn Photography. For under $700, we get photo coverage from my first hair/makeup appointment through the first couple hours of the reception. AND we get the rights to reproduce any photos we want, plus a free engagement session.

heatherwu1998 · March 2010

Our budget is $10,000 for 75 guests. We're doing really well so far! Our biggest splurge is the photographer-we're hiring him for ten hours. Our best deal is probably the venue itself-we don't have to pay a rental fee!

veijes · March 2010

We originally budgeted for $10k since that's what my dad was giving me for the wedding but it's blow up for us too! My dad is now giving $12k and my mom is giving $1k, possibly $2k if she can afford it. Our budget is at $15k right now excluding the honeymoon and the tips for our vendors.

The most expensive part is our food/drink. Our venue upped their prices 2 weeks after we signed with them by $3 a plate!! So now we are looking at spending about $7000-8000 on food and drinks alone!

Our best deal has been our DJ as well, Neon Express for $350! I know 3 people who have been married in the last year that spent between $1000-1300 on their dj!

amberh0515 · March 2010

I'm trying to manage a $30k budget for 350-400 people....and it's not as easy as it sounds. Most of my budget is going towards the reception (food and drink).

My best steal was my DJ and invites (because I'm doing them all by hand).
My biggest splurge thus far would be catering and honeymoon (not included in $)

debbieupper · March 2010

Where we wanted to be: $15-$20K
Where we are: ~$19-$20K
# of guests: 250 (we're guestimating)
That number does NOT include: gifts for parents and wedding party, honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, my e-ring or wedding bands
Biggest splurges:

My dress was almost $1000, which is more than I can justify paying but we're paying it anyhow.
Live music: We're getting a live band, and it's costing us $2k for 4 hours.

HTH!

ClintonBean · March 2010

WOW! You ladies are all doing a GREAT job on your budgets! We got married in the winter, hoping to save on costs and our budget doubled! Looking back, we had an amazing day but there were definately things here and there I would saved on (of course, speaking AFTER the fact).

yellowbabyducky1 · March 2010

Mine is a bit different because I got married in Winona so the venue cost was MUCH lower than up here.

Budget: $15,000
Actual: $18,500 with honeymoon
140 people (though we invited 240ish)

Our best deal was our venue. $300 rental fee and $6500 for all the food and beverages. Gotta love small towns.

The only thing we really had to completely cut out due to budget was the videographer. Honestly, if we had to do it over we would have splurged on one. I really wish I would have gotten video of his face when I walked down the aisle!

kkaew816 · March 2010

Our original budget was $5,000....right now we are at $6,000. This does not include our rings or the honeymoon (which we won't do until about 6 months after the wedding). I consider everything to have been a deal, especially my dress ($299!) and caterer. Biggest splurge would be videographer and DOC, only because we had originally budgetd 0 for both of those!

kkaew816 · March 2010

Oh, and we are planning on 85 guests

dc*prep · March 2010

I think we originally wanted to be around $20k, but we're probably going to be closer to $25k or more! That's for about 125 people. And it doesn't include my e-ring, our wedding bands, or our honeymoon. Eek!

Biggest "splurge" would probably be our food and drinks. We want really good food, and we want an open bar. Best deal would probably be the DJ (Neon Express). I can't imagine paying more than $500 to have someone who's basically just playing CDs!

hkiesling · March 2010

All said and done, we were probably between $13 and $15,000, but I haven't totalled up all the Michaels receipts yet! That doesn't include the honeymoon, which we're taking in September (to New Zealand!), but it does include the minimoon to Washington DC.

Biggest cost: Reception rental and food (about $5,000 for 120 guests).
Biggest save: I did A LOT of DIY projects. For my favors, my parents have apple and maple trees, so while the favors themselves added up (jars are pricey) they would have been MUCH more expensive if I had bought them already made. Also, my interactive photo wall was homemade.
Biggest splurge: I got the Perfect Card Box for $60 when $3 in cardboard and wrapping would have worked (but not nearly as much fun)

LauraK17 · March 2010

We are hoping to be around $12K for everything including honeymoon and wedding bands. Estimated guest list is between 120 and 140. I would say our biggest expense is the food/drink but also one of the best deals. The venue has a $10-15K minimum on Saturdays but since we are having a Friday night reception the minimum was "negotiable" and we got it to $5k. Other deals will likely be invitations (a family friend works for Flash photography and they are launching a new line of wedding invites/STDs/thank you cards and she said she would print ours for FREE!!) and ceremony music (friend of the family offered to play the piano for free). It adds up quickly and with a lot of things still left to do I think we are at $8. yikes!

Steph0871 · March 2010

We're on a $10k budget for about 150 guests (our invite list is at 180 right now.) My dad has always wanted to contribute, so he's giving us about half (likely he'll just cover the reception.) We're each contributing about $2k and my mom paid for my dress (only $400.)

My dad is being picky on wanting really good food though, so he's offered to cover the costs if the reception ends up costing more in order to have the good food

drdifabio · March 2010

We are looking at less than 16k for about 200 guests - this number has grown and grown but I think 16k is our ceiling and I am hoping to keep it closer to 15k.

We are spending the most on the reception site/catering- but that is where you should spend the most. I also feel like we are getting a great deal there though too cuz when we booked the minimums were 1/2 what they are now!

My greatest deal is def my dress. It was supposed to be around 1k and I got it for $425!!! I still get excited when I think about that. I ended up finding it at one store and buying the sample from another who just happened to be selling the sample in the exact color and size I would have ordered it in! It was perfect.

theophania · March 2010

We're right around 15k for 220 guest (274 invited) -- doesn't include honeymoon. More than half of that will go to food and beverages, which leaves an awful lot of stuff to buy with just 6.5k, but I think we are going to make it!! We've found great deals with my photographer, dj, florist, and dress (thanks to all the wonderful recommendations on here)!

zephyr_marie · March 2010

We are keeping it cheap as the last two years have been difficult on us financially due to the economy. Our budget is $4000 for 75-100 people, and it's going to be close, but I think we're going to come in under that amount. My mom did buy my dress, which helped a great deal - and we got it for $150 (not including alterations)and we aren't going on our honeymoon until next year (we'll be going to a B&B after the wedding). Needless to say, everything is going to be DIY, but we're really happy with the way things are turning out.

MichellePete · March 2010

We wanted to be $5000 for 120 guests, not including the minimoon. I think we ended up at $8,000. This was fall 2008. It starts adding up really fast. I think rather than setting a specific total, you're better off setting a range of price. Try to hit the lower amount and not be disappointed if you end up at the top.

NuggetBrain · March 2010

Wow I am impressed with some of the deals and budgets you guys are working with! It's the best feeling in the world finding a great deal!

izzyjenni · March 2010

I wish we could stay until 15K for 200 guests but that isn't going to happen with our rings, honeymoon, and alterations. You guys are real martha stewarts for all the things you are DIY-ing. I have lots of projects but also a huge imagination so I start something and then think of another project I can start. It adds up fast! So for me DIY is not always cheaper!

cswaldon · March 2010

We're expecting approximately 115-125 guests and our budget is at $52K. This doesn't include my e-ring or our honeymoon.

I'm glad I splurged on my dress and our photographer (and the headband I swore I wasn't going to buy - oops!).

We're so lucky that FMIL is providing the linens, flowers, DOC, and taking care of the rehearsal dinner! So, those are the best deals we've been able to get

My dad is also chipping in, as is my mother, but FI and I are paying for the vast majority ourselves.

breanna_cross03 · March 2010

We are having 300+ guests and I am only spending $13K. You can totally do it! Seriously once you put your mind to it its soo possible. My friend had 575 guests and did her wedding for $10K. My biggest way to save money is to USE MY RESOURCES. So many people are more than willing to offer their services. I did DIY invites which I LOVE way more than ones I could buy. Also I have started buying decorations early, whenever I come across a good deal. That way I don't have to splurge later on because I dont have time to look. I have also just asked around to friends that have already been married to see what they still have. Most have had tons of stuff I was going to buy and just let me use it! Last tip, be creative..don't just go with the first thing that comes up. It has saved me tons.

How much did you spend?

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