Hey ladies! Congrats on your weddings. I was hoping you would help me out. I am completely clueless about this wedding stuff, and I was trying to do a wedding for 150 ish people at around 25K but am not sure if I am lying to myself, Can any of you tell me what you think I will REALLY be spending?
TIA
MikeandJess
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
I think you can do it for that amount you just have to price out some vendors. I think we would have been at that amount if we went with a DJ instead of a band. It is possible. Good luck!
Annoulak
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
It is possible if you book during a slow season and possibly not on a Saturday evening. Also, you can keep costs down by not having very elaborate centerpieces, not having a big bridal party (each person in your bridal party will need to be given a flower and gift, and may need to be transported from ceremony to RH), and shopping around for vendors. Photographers will be cheaper if you don't get any albums, and videographers will be cheaper if all you get is the raw footage.
Good luck!
sophisticat13
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
It's def possible...book during a non-summer month, not on a Saturday night, and keep your BP small...the costs of a large BP really add up like a PP said. Try to do DIY projects rather than buying (you can make your own invites, sign in book, card box, menus, etc) to save, and go to trunk shows at bridal salons- they give you discounts if you buy during a trunk show-I got my dress for 15% off -go to Barons for your veil (Tri-County Flea Market) and Party CIty for things like FG baskets and RB pillows if you have a FG and RB.
nifheim
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
I did a wedding for 15Kish for 100 people - it can happen!
sassygirl9
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
It can definitely be done. Make a list of priorities. For example, if flowers and music are real important to you then maybe not go all out on transportation or ceremony music(maybe a friend of a friend can play music or sing for you). SOme of the t hings I cut down on was:
favors....just didn't do them...no one even noticed...you could always donate to a charity instead.
videographer.....i have a friend in the media business so he took video and did a great job of putting it all together...think Pennylane...minus the price..lol
you don't have to send save the dates, but if you do, why not make them yourself.
calligraphy....I had real nice invites, but didn't bother with calligraphy...the designer I used just did computer calligraphy and that was fine.
the above may seem like small things, but trust me it adds up quick.
you can also do a day wedding or choose an off peak time ....Jan-March or so....you can also choose a Friday wedding, that cut the cost big time. Don't be afraid to bargain with your vendors. it will get you a long way
GinaZ
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
I think thats a totally reasonable budget for that number of people. Just book a hall thats under $100 a head so you can have enough money for your other vendors.
ETA: This was my budget and we did it. I didn't feel like I was cutting corners either. The only thing we saved huge on was we won our video at a wedding event so that did save us like 4k. We also did our ceremony at the location site and stayed at the hotel next door, so we didn't need limos- that saved us a lot I bet! We were married on a friday night but I didn't realize till later on that was money saving- that just happen to work out for us. I created my own centerpiecces but that was more cus it was the only way to get what I wanted- again worked out well for me by saving me money from having the florist create them. We had a dj, not a band- again saved us money. We got married in a room with windows as the ceiling so our lighting and candles reflected and we didn't have to pay to bring in lighting- that probably saved us a lot! And we didn't add on to our menu- there is always sooo much food offerd anyway, so you can save by not adding on. Our only food extra was we got a cake from an outside vendor. But def dont think you can't stay within your budget- I think 25k is just right for 150 people without skimping.
sugarnspice
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
I guess I just need a cheap DJ, cheap Limo (hoping to get one big one that can shuttle back and forth) cheap invites, (how do you DIY there? im clueless) and cheap favors.
Thanks for the advice but if you have any specific recommendations, send them my way!!!
Kricket212
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
Ours cst about $35 including honeymoon. I think you could do for $25- Totallyl!!!
Good Luck
Jenn04
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
Hmmm - it could be hard. I know people that set budgets for $25 but ended up around $30-35. There are just so many things that add up fast. As long as you arent picky - you may be ok but also do not forget about honeymoon...that can add up too! Shop everything out. There were somethings I went cheap on - like a veil and I saved alot of money by getting it on ebay. But then I spent alot of $$$$ on a photographer because that was important to me.
Mici n KC
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
It is very realistic to do. Get low CPs or just do candles, do inexpensive invitations, don't do all this other stuff like slipper baskets or petal cones, select an inexpensive favor, shop around for your dress to get the best price, get married on a Sunday or Friday night in January, February or March. Good luck with your planning!
wundmoretime
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Re: help a 2010-er out?
I think it is possible. We did a lot of DIY and cut corners where possible. Searched on her for sales and craigslist. I think we came in around 15k for 75 ppl
