Am I spending too much??

I spent about 12k on the hall, 4k on photo, 2k on video, 1k on the dress... and I wanna stay under 25k... am I gonna make it??? There is still a lot to go right?

Re: Am I spending too much??

No can say if you are spending too much or too little, it's entirely a personal decision.

But other things you will need to arrange are (and not trying to get you depressed or overwhelmed):
Invitations and postage
Entertainment (Band or DJ)
Headpiece, veil, shoes, undergarment
Flowers
Transportation
Tuxedo
Bridal Party Gifts

Re: Am I spending too much??

Dont forget your honeymoon

Re: Am I spending too much??

And your Wedding Bands

Re: Am I spending too much??

Our expenses so far have been similar to yours, and I would say you're probably going to exceed $25K, and will have more like a $30K wedding

Re: Am I spending too much??

Hmmmmmmmmm.... let's see...

I think if you work on it hard enough you can do it!

Let's see what we can do:

- Buffet instead of sit down
- Afternoon instead of evening
OR
- Friday/Sunday instead of Saturday
- I am using Bellarino for video, I got the DELUXE package and am spending LESS than $2k! They are a great company!
- The dress you can definately get for less than 1k!

Hope I gave some helpful ideas! I'll continue to think!




Edited to agree with Alina. I was going to say you'd probably have to raise your budget, but I think you may be able do it if you really try!

Re: Am I spending too much??

I dont need a limo, I dont need to think about the honeymoon... we are putting that off... I think I can do it!!!!!

Re: Am I spending too much??

I think you can do it. Those are the major expenses. I don't see flowers on your list though.

Re: Am I spending too much??

I figure

Wedding/reception 12k
Photo/video 6300
DJ 1300
Dress 1300
Flowers ?2000?
Rings 1000
Favors 1000
Gifts 500
Invites/Thanks 500

Thats almost 24k

am I missing anything???

Re: Am I spending too much??

You do have a couple more big expenses such as the music (DJ or band), flowers and invitations/postage. Technically, the HM can be put off, you don't need limos, you can find cheap shoes/undergarments/veil, you don't need to spend a lot on wedding rings, etc. You can even get away with inexpensive invitations if you aren't picky. I would say you might go over $25000 just with little misc. stuff but, if you're careful, not by much.

Re: Am I spending too much??

Don't forget tips!!

Re: Am I spending too much??

Good point Nina! Tips are too frequently left out of the budget.

Re: Am I spending too much??

Did you include tax an gratuity for your catering hall? Also don't forget all of the extras like alterations for dress, undergarments, shoes, hair, makeup, rehearsal dinner (if you are having one), programs, veil, favors. A lot of these things are optional, but if you are including them, they do add up.

Edited because I included things that you already accounted for. Sorry!

Re: Am I spending too much??

I really want my photographer... Im thinking about cutting out the video...

That would free up like 2500...


Should I... major dilema!!!???

Re: Am I spending too much??

Rehearsal dinner? Bridal party gifts?

Re: Am I spending too much??

KP, who is doing your photo? Our video through imagine was $1500, very basic, but I believe if you look around a bit you can find it even for less.

Personally, I also think you can save a bit more on favors, but that depends on what you want to do. We're not having favors, or may be burning CDs, but not sure of that yet. So if no favors, that's extra 1000

Also, perhaps look into making your own centerpieces? Our hall provides us with silk flowers, so our flower bill including a chuppa with one florist was $800 or so.

I hope this helps... Also, try to be selective about your hair/makeup trials, if you pay for them. By the time you do several trials you may as well have hired a very expensive service for that special day.

Re: Am I spending too much??

I would not suggest cutting out the video. After the wedding all you have is the video and pictures. We have excellent pictures but our video Its saddens me when other brides can view their day and its so touching they cry all over again.


I strongly suggest you cut something else. Like Favors you really don't need to spend $1000 on favors. We did cds and came no where close to that.

JMO

Re: Am I spending too much??

not sure if someone mentioned it, but what about hair/makeup? are you doing it yourself?

also, stamps for invites

and your officiant/church/temple

who is paying for FH's tux and rehearsal dinner?

Re: Am I spending too much??

I wouldn't cut out the video. There have been so many comments from brides who were not going to get a video, but decided to at the last moment and were so happy that they did. There will be so many things that you will miss that day and you'll be happy to have it on video later. You can definitely get a good video for a lot cheaper than that though. You might want to consider a more basic package for less money.

Re: Am I spending too much??

I disagree about cutting out the video! You miss alot of what happens on your wedding day and the video allows you to see all of those special moments again. It also allows you to see family and friends that will not be around forever.
For instance: My FG literally dropped one single petal at a time as she walked down the aisle. I have heard tons about how funny this was. The photos are great, but they cannot really allow me to experience the moment like the video can. Also, my MOH knocked the flowers off of the altar by accident- it was a priceless moment. The video will allow me to torture her forever I mean, remember the funny moment forever.

Cut down on favors- do candy.