Wedding budget - What are you spending?

ap142193 · April 2012

So I didn't start out wih a budget, because my parents agreed to help pay for the wedding and thier responses were: "be reasonable", plan early so we can pay it out", etc. I wanted a nice semi-formal wedding, but it seems like the "to buy" and "to order" list" doesnt ever shrink!

schnugglebug · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddingchannel.com/main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_wedding-budget-what-are-you-spending?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:28f94e07-2c1e-4235-924f-3c3a72240d3ePost:7a9fa9ea-9067-4b9e-9e9d-4ab7b681c05b">Wedding budget - What are you spending?</a>:
[QUOTE]So I didn't start out wih a budget, because my parents agreed to help pay for the wedding and thier responses were: "be reasonable", plan early so we can pay it out", etc. I wanted a nice semi-formal wedding, but it seems like the "to buy" and "to order" list" doesnt ever shrink!
Posted by ap142193[/QUOTE]

we are at about 6-7000 for the whole thing, and it is going to be very nice, but we have DJ and Photographer at discount since they are family, uncle is a hair stylist/make up artist and use to be a tailor.

we got a fantastic deal on our location for cermony/reception. I guess we just lucked out
having approx 100 guests

sboughten · April 2012

My budget is to ulitimately stay under $10,000 but I didn't set specific budgets for items/services. I got a good deal on photography but didn't put what I saved toward another area, but instead keep looking for the best deals for what we are planning. My parents are taking care of the ceremony/reception venue, DJ, food and drinks with his parents tackling the rehearsal and pastor fees. I am doing the rest by myself since FI is still a student for a couple more months. It's been tough but I get a rush over finding a good deal!

minionlover · April 2012

I voted 12-15k and that includes a week in Florida since that is where we are getting married and our honeymoon.

achiduck · April 2012

I'm over $25.

BrittneyRN · April 2012

I think we're at about or a little above $20,000. FI and I both put a certain amount in a wdding fund and we just spend from there, but I don't know the exact amount.

lehc723 · April 2012

I voted for what I think we'll end up being at (just over 20K), which is more than what we'd intended (under 20K), but it will be okay.

ivedonethisb4 · April 2012

We originally set a budget of 2K. Yeah that quickly went out the door when I couldn't find a photographer under 500. So we're mostly playing it by ear trying to find the best deals and pay for it as we go. His parents and mine have offered to help with different things. Mine are going to finish paying for my dress next month and pick up the florist tab as long as I keep it under 500. His parents said they'd handle the food at the reception and that's going to be a lot for 200 plus people. In trade though we're responsible for the rehearsal dinner but its only going to be about 20 people or so. No one that isn't needed at the church for the rehearsal and their spouses. So we're looking at including what they're helping with probably about 5 or 6K. That's not including honeymoon either.

getintheboxx · April 2012

We are probably going to be under $7500. I'm doing alot of things myself - invites, probably centerpieces, placecards, programs, table numbers, etc. I would love to just hire people to take care of all that so I wouldn't have to worry about it but we are building a house and that is way more important than one day.

shoebie · April 2012

Our original budget was $8,000 we are over $25k now !

LDubHawksFan · April 2012

I originally said 20K, my fiance (who's from the area) said 30K, so we settled on 25K.....I have a feeling by the time the honeymoon creeps in though, we will be at his value. It's insane!

Jasperk23 · April 2012

Same as above.... we started at eight and are now around nineteen. But we decided to increase it months and months ago.

lv2011 · April 2012

We said $6500, and we're sticking to it miraculously. But, we got very lucky that my sister is a phenomenal photographer and is doing it free, and his uncle is a professional DJ who is also doing that free. If we'd had to hire that out, we'd easily be at $9k...and that's including me doing a huge amount of diy.

[Deleted User] · April 2012

We set a budget for $3,000 and said we won't go over $4,000. We are a little over $3,000! Super happy about it! I am DIYing A LOT! Which saved us A TON! My fiance is super impressed with how I've done everything and budgeted because our friends weddings are around $10,000 so he just assumed that's what we would have to spend.

KmuJmg · April 2012

FI is an only child from a wealthy family. I feel the need to announce that so I don't feel so wasteful. HA. When we started planning his parents had a very specific idea of what type of wedding they wanted their son to have. Open bar, plated dinner, nice venue, nice centerpieces, etc. After discussing with FI, he wanted the same things. He's apparently only been to "fancy" weddings. I grew up in Mississippi and I have been to a ton of backyard shindigs!

His parents asked me how much I thought it would cost, I estimated $30K and they just gave us the money. I almost had a panic attack during this conversation and they acted like it was no big deal. Crazy how different our families are. Anyway, I thought we would be able to do it for $30K. I was wrong! We are getting married in Savannah, which is a wedding destination hot spot. Everything is rediculously priced. We are over $40K at this point, but FI and I are paying the difference.

When I start to panic, I tell myself that it's making his parents and him very happy, which is worth a lot. No one is going into bebt, so I guess that's good. I've just never spent this kind of money in my life. I'm a very lucky girl.

achiduck · April 2012

It's amazing how fast the buget skyrockets. All the little things add up, and I'm all about the details. I really thought I could do it for $15K initially, but we're between $28 and $30 depending on a few things that we have yet to iron out.

That being said, my Dad is contributing about 20% and FMIL Is contributin 10% the rest is/has come from us.

MicMikeM · April 2012

I voted for the $5000 to $7500. We originally wanted to keep it below $4000 but our wedding bands (at $2100 for both) and the photography really sent us up.

I said my splurge was going to be photography and so I am working all the extra hours to pay for that. FI splurge was rings - he absolutely fell in love with them and that's what he wanted.

We are getting married in Las Vegas at Chapel of the Flowers, so that includes ceremony, flowers, music, officiant, photography.

Right now the cost breakdown is

$2750 for ceremony, flowers, photography, officiant, limo to and from, and gratuities to photographers, officiant, limo driver.

$2100 wedding bands

$900 dress, bra, crinoline/slip, shoes, jewelry, purse

$1000 buffet reception with wedding cake

$6750 total which is not bad considering we get ceremony and dinner for 30 guests covered too.

Once we get home FI parents are throwing us a "celebration" barbecue for all the guests who are not able to attend the wedding itself. They are paying for that but we've been pitching in for different things. I"m sure we will ultimately be closer to $10k when all is said and done but that includes the gas and hotels for Las Vegas and the little things I haven't thought of yet, or things for the barbecue at home.

It's so much money, and I cut back so much! I didn't buy new jewelry and will be wearing what I already own, spent $15 on shoes, etc. And yet, it adds up something ridiculous. Oh yeah, because I forgot about the paper (invites, thank you notes, etc.) which is another couple hundred bucks. Argh.

But I am happy, FI and his family are happy, and that's all that matters right?

NRod70 · April 2012

I originally wanted to stay under $8k but now we're looking at slightly over $16k, which includes our rings and the honeymoon.

I ended up splurging (in my opinion) on the venue. We were really trying to cut costs on that but when it came down to it, FI and I both agreed we wanted a full open bar and did not want to cut back on the food.

Everything else I am pretty much DIYing including centerpieces, invites, bouquets., etc.

The way I look at it, we are not going into debt over this. Nothing will be put on credit and FI is working extra hours for our "splurges". Love, love, love him!!

snuff9861 · April 2012

We're budgeting for 10K but right now it's at about 12K. I'm hoping to keep cutting costs and it will get back under 10K. My wedding band is what drove it over the limit but I dont care because I love it too much. I'm working extra hours to cover it so in the end we will be just fine.

huskerfan246 · April 2012

We didn't really set a budget but right now we are at around $10k.

[Deleted User] · April 2012

Originally I was thinking 8-10k. I've been tracking everything to keep a close eye on it and estimated every possible remaining thing I can think of and it looks like we'll be closer to 13k. I'm hoping we can cut here and there on the remaining items and stay at 12k. The costs are split half/half between us and all 4 parents. That doesn't include the honeymoon (we're waiting until the following spring for a specific cruise.)

ljsquintz · April 2012

We will be around $45K - paying for 80% of it ourselves but definitely not going into debt over it.

pzavecz · April 2012

Ugh...this actually stresses me out more..LOL. Original budget was 25k but after doing some looking around at venues in the inital stages, we upped it to 30k, because we didn't think 25k was realistic for what we wanted. I looked at our budget a couple days and we've pretty much already hit the 30k budget and I'm anticipating maybe another 3-5k more to spend

I broke down in tears. I thought I was doing so good too...all these things add up fast! Including the HM, this whole thing is probably going to end up costing us about 35-40k...paid for 99.9% by me and FI ourselves. OMG. :O

ap142193 · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_wedding-budget-what-are-you-spending?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:28f94e07-2c1e-4235-924f-3c3a72240d3ePost:8a2bde7f-9f2f-41ca-9dac-4149eeb7f801">Re: Wedding budget - What are you spending?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm over $25.
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]

<div>I love your siggy shoes! Where are they from?</div>

PaddysGirl8 · April 2012

Around 50k not including my dress, accessories, and honeymoon. We got some family help but are scrimping but will be able to pay in cash.

udream05 · April 2012

we originally budgeted $15k but I think we'll be able to keep it around 10-12k. Thankfully my parents are giving us some money because FI hasn't been saving as much as he had expected to be able to, so we might need a little extra.

MelyndaRyan · April 2012

Ah the budget! I wanted to do it for 15K but its unrealistic. We have 20K budgeted and that is NOT including rings, or honeymoon. I can't believe how much things cost. We are having around 170 people and I'm trying to do things affordable.Yes I have splurged on chair covers and the photographer:) I just have to remember that this is what I have been saving for - its worth it ...right? I swear everytime I say Wedding I'm paying 2K. UGH.

ap142193 · April 2012

I am at $8,000, but that does not include rings, honeymoon, food, booze, videographer, or photographer yet. I was hoping to keep it around $10,000, but its just not going to happen.

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