So, I thought I had my budget figured out, but now I think it might be too low. We are only paying for the vendors, my parents gave us money and it covered the reception, plus money left over to basically cover any tips for anyone involved with the wedding. So that means we need to pay for everything else. I have until 2005 to save, but what is a reasonable, overall price for all my vendors combined? We are getting married at the Bourne Mansion on July 3, 2005. It's a Sunday night (the next day being the holiday.) Any input would help. Thanks!
michele31
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
This is a VERY difficult question to answer. You need to pay for photographer videographer band/DJ ceremony (if you have cost there) flowers favors invites (with mailing costs) placecards (if you are doing anything special for those) your outfit hair/makeup/nails tux I think you should set priorities. For instance- photos and having a band was very, very important to us. Flowers were more important to me than favors. That helped me to know which items I would spend more money on. Also, there is a HUGE price range for photos, video, flowers, favors etc...You need to look into what styles you like, then figure out what that will cost and if you can afford it.
prncssrachel
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Well, my dress was paid for too, and the accessories, so that can be cut off the list, but I see where you're coming from. I'm just afraid of having an unrealistically LOW idea of what it all costs.
Ronnie&Theresa
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Shop around..
I do not have myself on a budget as maybe I should have. I save a specific amount each mt... and I go from there. I also try to pay more off then I should so next year its already done. I think you have plenty of time to save so don't worry and the reception is already paid for which is a huge chunk you don't have to worry about. My band is 7k Photos and Video 8500 Maybe mine are high but if you shop around like anything else it will be easy. Just know what you want first!
jenny2penny
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Here are pretty much all my expenses: Church Church Organizer Precana Music Alter Server Marriage Certificate Rings Reception Maitr'D Tip vallet Tip Coat Check Tip DJ DJ Tip Photographer Photo Tip Video Video Tip Limo Limo Tip Flowers Flower Tip Hair & Make-up/TRIAL Hair & Make-up Tip Nails Nails Tip Programs for Church Basket for Programs/throw items throw at church (rice,sead, petals) Unity Candle Candle Holder Rehersal Dinner Rehersal Dinner Invites (don't have to or you can make) Invitations Stamps Thank yous Stamps - Thank You Dress Alteration Shoes Veil Tiara Gloves Bra Slip Thigh Highs Shawl if needed for church Garter belt Throw Garter Bag Hankerchief Dress Cleaning Tuxedo Toasting Glasses Cake Knife & Server Ring Pillow Flower Girl Basket/head wreath Guest Book, Pen Card Holder Favors Seat Cards BP Gifts Maid of Honor Gift Best Man Gift Grooms Men Gifts Flowergirl Gift Ringbearer Gift Readers Gift Parents Gift Hotel Honeymoon
Hope it helps give you an idea of all the little things
Fran M
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Great list Jenn All those 'little things' can catch up with you and add up to big $$$.
I think when you are preparing a budget you need to start out with what can you reasonable afford to do. I am a firm believer that you can have a wonderful wedding no matter what your budget is. The trick is to concentrate on the things that matter most to the two of you.
jtngs
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
AARGH!!!!! Jenn I didn't think of all of those little things!!!! HELP I'M DROWNING IN WEDDING PRE - TAMATIC STRESS DISORDER!! We are paying for everything ourselves and well, we stink at saving.... or should I say he stinks at saving. Every time I go to pay somthing early he says WHY???? we can earn intrest in the bank. But we never do, he says 'How much is in the wedding fund? Can you take out $500 here and $1500 there for this and that. I have to learn to say NO!!! Sorry I had to vent!
Edited for language sorry
prncssrachel
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Thanks girls, I appreciate the input. We were looking to save between 15-20K for vendors and other little things. It will HAVE to be enough because that's what we can reasonably do while still saving for a house. I'm sure it will be fine, but I have my moments where I FREAK!
danigirl0
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
i think 15-20k will be good. my FH and i are also paying for the vendors...and i didnt realize how much that would coust! but that budegt will do. you can find a lot!
palebride
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
i think you have to figure out how much you CAN svae in that amount of time, and then find vendors that will fit into that. There are all sorts of ways to figure out what the percentages should be....but i think you have to decide between you two what is most important and then decide what percentage it should be. it's tough to do, but it's importnat....there's no reason to go into debt for your wedding! and that's a terrible way to start things off!!!
good luck! if you want more detailed help - i'm great at budgeting....Fm me and I can try to help!!
violet
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
I'm going through stress with saving now too. I didn't realize how much different vendors charged. Right now, I'm just trying to figure out things I'm cutting out. I don't care about having a videographer, and we're just going to go home on the wedding night b/c I see no point in spending a few hundred dollars for a hotel room when we'll get there late and will have to check out before noon probably.
Ugh. My real wish was to elope, so I wouldn't have to go through this and spend all this money and go through this stress. But my fiance is his mother's firstborn, and she loves these things, and she'd be upset if we did that.
prncssrachel
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Thanks girls, I do appreciate the help. Of course, in my mind, I don't want to spend ALL of that money on the wedding, I want to be able to spare some to put towards a house, but if not, we'll be saving ontop of that, too. Oh well. I guess I need to get cracking on booking some vendors, or at least meeting with some of them to get a better idea.
butterfly20
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
jenn thanks for the reminder... i just double checked my list
rachel- we have the same thing- parents are covering the hall, so were covering the vendors(luckily getting some money from fil's) but still i had to budget...if you can, just book the vendors now so that you can get the lower price in
larryswife2be
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
The budget for my wedding is ALWAYS on my mind! I would say at least five times a day. I wish I could win LOTTO or something, but on a serious note making a budget is key. I know that we spent more than what I wanted on our photograhper which means we have to be a little more cautious when picking a florist.
violet
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
I know the money towards a wedding is better spent towards the house, but just think of the money you'll make back at your wedding with gifts.
wenndypoo
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
I think 15 - 20K sounds reasonable....
2003OCT10
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
Ok.. not to tick anyone off.. but FH and I had a TIGHT budget and we budgeted 10k... All in all its only running us about 12k... It is possible, and I do believe that we have the best of the best.. or D@mn close to it.... Our cousins just got married July 3rd of this year... They spent over 20k... When I told her what our wedding cost, she nearly collapsed! If you search and Re- search, and dont be afraid to bargain, I GUARENTEE You you can do it in a more affordable way ..... Good Luck and Best wishes.
PS.. The only thing that we DIDNT pay for was my dress.. My parents bought me it.
jenny2penny
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Re: Ok, I need help with working on our budget....
I know it seems overwhelming. We are paying for most of it too. I thought it was best to leave deposits and then put the rest in the back, earns a little interest. Then will pay when we are asked too.
