Ok, someone please look at this preliminary wedding budget

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Posted by marymoon

I'd LOVE to be able to save $$. I don't know how to come up with $50 for this wedding , much less $50,000. Thanks for all of the tips!

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Some of the biggest things you can do to limit your costs are to keep your guest list small and to get your per person cost as low as possible. Generally, your costs will be lower if your wedding is off season, during the day or, best of all, on a holiday monday. The price could vary by over $30 per person simply based on the day and time. At 150 people, $30 a head is $4,500 -- that's your designer dress cost!

We're planning for a Saturday night in early december!

I don't want a designer dress, but I had $5K include everthing///

If the dress is $2K, then alterations, undergarments, etc. Maybe $3500 is a more reasonable estimation of what I'll probably spend. That's a good diea of trying on the less expensive ones first.

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Posted by marymoon

We're planning for a Saturday night in early december!

I don't want a designer dress, but I had $5K include everthing///

If the dress is $2K, then alterations, undergarments, etc. Maybe $3500 is a more reasonable estimation of what I'll probably spend. That's a good diea of trying on the less expensive ones first.

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Ok, you can probably get a hall for around 20k for December. Quite a few halls that we looked at though, had (semi) high prices in December because they figured they would book for holiday parties. If you start looking early, you can probably get a nice hall for that price.
Also, have a definite list of who you want to invite. On that list, indicate whether or not you think the person will come. We thought we would have more people (and we had a preliminary list) but when the invites went out we got a lot of no's. Thankfully we had a low min, but had we booked a different hall, I might have ended up paying a minimum 30 people higher than my actual number of guests.
Another thing. Sometimes DIY invites end up costing more than invites from a printer. I was all set to make envelopement invites, until I priced them out. I got lovely invites (from a local print shop who also sold wedding invites, check if there is a printer in your neighborhood who does the same, this helped us save a ton of money), our invites ended up costing half of what the envelopement invites would have cost. I'm not saying to rule out DIY, but also, don't rule out looking elsewhere.

My thoughts are below: I think you can save money in several areas.
Only you know what is most important to you -If a great dress is the most important thing, than maybe you can have a Sunday wedding.


Ceremony: $3000
Some things you can cut are:
Unity Candle $100 (buy a plain white candle from potter barn - $20)
Sign in Book $50 (Go to an art supply store and buy a nice notebook for $20, or get one on sale.)

Flowers: $2755
I’ve put in some estimates. But I think you price is about right. To save money, do all the centerpieces yourself with candles and rose petals. If you have 6 candles per table that is 120, you can easily get that for less than $1400. Or buy your flowers whole sale and do the arrangements your self.

Bride's bo-k $175
2BM Bo-k $200
throwaway bo-k /bo-k for special offering (Do one or the other) $50
FG bo-k $100
Groom bout (2) $30
GM, dad, grandpa bout -8 ($80)
corsages for moms and grandmas (4) $100
rose petals to throw $20
2 arrangement for ceremony site $300
a few pew bows $100 (or make them yourselves -- $40)
15-20 low centerpieces (20*$70)$1400
Set up and delivery = 200

Reception: 20,000
This is $111 per head including tax and tip. It is a bit low for what you want to do. One option would be to bring your own desserts for the dessert hour. Have a few less appetizers during the cocktail hour. Offer only a signature drink, rather than a full bar.

cake- $750
$4.00 a slice is do-able. Mine is $4.50. The trick is to keep the cake simple. You might want to consider having a small “show” cake and sheet cake in the back.

favors $750
I think you can bring this down. Maybe $550 dollars, which give you $3 per person. Or you could offer favors per couple, which will drop you costs even more.

Photography and Video- $8000
I think you can do this or beat this price.


Stationery - $750
For a 180 person wedding I doubt you need 200 invites – since most people come in pairs. I am inviting 220 people, but only need 120 invites. This will save you some money. I’ve seen people get invites for as low as $300. I strongly advise using regular shaped invites – because the postage for large invites can kill you.


Transportation: $1000
I am only paying $600 for 1 limo and two shuttle buses, so I think this is do able. Ask the hotel where you block rooms if they can recommend someone.


Music: Can be done for $2500
String quartet for ceremony ($800)
harpist for dinner hour ($200)
DJ for reception ($1500)
something for cocktail hr if possible – just have your DJ play, much easier this way.

Attire
You can really cut costs here – got to RK bridal – buy a gown for $1000 (or less) even with alterations it will only run $1500. Veil - $200, Shoes $100, Bra $100, Purse - $50, misc (gloves, hair pins): $200

Though I know you want to look good – and you will, remember you’ll only wear these things once.



Bridal party gifts $750
(With only two bride’s maids I think your costs will be much lower)
Rehearsal dinner $1200
(Since you are doing a pretty sophisticated wedding, have you considered doing a very casual dinner – like pizza or barbecue, this will also save you a lot).

You definitely gave yourself plenty of room to work, except for the reception. It depends what day and time you're having your wedding I suppose. They always tack on a 20% 'fee' in addition to the tax, so that adds on a bunch. It also depends whether you're having 150 or 180 people. It can make a $5,000 difference.

Limos - you'll probably have to spend more than that. I'm having 1 normal limo for the bp and 1 rolls for us and it's over.

Cake - almost always included in reception fee, unless you want something special.

Video/photographer - depends what you want to spend but you can cover both with about $4,500-$5,000.

Ceremony - mine is at a church and only $600 total - where are you having yours?

Groom's Tux - usually free if all the guys get theirs at the same place.

Rehearsal Dinner - depends how many people but might be well over the $1,200 you estimated, since these places also charge that 20% 'fee' and tax. Where are you thinking? How many people?

Overall you estimated well! Better to think higher and work down:)

You can get your flowers for less - that's how much mine are, and I'm getting high centerpieces and have more folks in the BP.

I also think your limo budget should be a tiny bit higher - depending on how many hours. We have a Royce, and two 14-passenger limos for three hours at $1300

Otherwise, looks great!

As a fellow NRC girl, here's what I think:
Ceremony def. seems high.

Get your unity candle and guest book off ebay - there are plenty of great vendors with inexpensive stuff.

Flowers - check out Burtons or Laurie from LA Blossoms. I think you can cut off $1K. If you stick with flowers that are in-season and keep it simple, you should be able to do it for $2K.

Reception - that's about right for that amt of people in December. Obviously you've booked the venue already so you know what that will be. It will be an additional $800-$1K to tip the maitre d' and attendant. Skip the $ for the pasta course - so unnecessary. Did they throw in the Venetian hour? Are you doing full dessert cafe or just mini-venetian?

Cake - included at NRC.

Favors - You can do them for $500.

Photo & Video - I've seen your other posts and I know photo is important to you, so I think this is a realistic guestimate.

Stationery - if you are DIY then you can cut it down to $500, including postage. You can get thick stock paper at Staples.

Transportation - Royalty gives a $100 coupon for NRC brides. I got a quote for $1100 for a Rolls and 2 8 passenger lincolns INCLUSIVE of tip.

Music - I don't know what string quartets and harpists go for but I would simplify this. Plus, the more vendors you have, the more $$ in tips.

Attire - DON'T try on $4K-$5K gowns if you don't want to spend that. It'll get ya EVERY time. And, definetely shop around if you find a gown you love. Burtons, Netbride, Bridesave, Bridepower - all great, reputable companies that allow you to afford an otherwise $$$ dress. You can get your veil and other accessories off ebay or at discount places.

Groom tux - Usually free with other rentals but since this is probably the one thing that is your FH's alone, I'd let him splurge.

Bride, hair, makeup - Instead of buying you a shower gift, ask a BM or special aunt or someone to get you a gift certificate to the salon you want to go to for your nails and other prepatory beauty things. My future SIL is taking me for my nails and pre-wedding massage as her gift to me.

Rings - Sounds about right.

Bridal party gifts - looks like you have a small bridal party. You can find some great gifts for $50 each.

Rehearsal dinner - Work it out w/ the rest. to pay prix fixe price. How many people are you including? Can you get FH's parents pick up the tab on this one? Consider a family style place also.

$5000 seems high for tax and tip. Try to pay cash. Vendors will knock the tax off.

Another tip - register for the HM. Starwood an Sandals have registries for this.

Good luck fellow NRC bride!

Ok first let me say that I think you could probably spend less EVERYWHERE! I think that you are doing your budget backwards. Your first step should be to say how much money do I HAVE to spend on this wedding - if that is going to be $52,000 then you're done and you budget is fine. For my FH and I we said we want to spend $30,000 and then we broke it down from there (depending on what was most imp. to us) - there are plenty of websites (knot) that will give you a % of what each thing costs.

Here is an example of what the knot has it broken down as and what FH and I used...


Reception Hall and Cake 50.00%
Photographer 4.00%
Videographer 3.00%
DJ/Band 5.00%
Flowers 8.00%
Dress 8.50%
Tux 0.50%
Favors 2.50%
Invitations 2.25%
Rings 2.00%
Gifts 1.50%
Ceremony Musicians 2.00%
Accessories 1.50%
Save the dates 0.50%
Limos 1.00%
Hair/Makeup 0.50%
Officiant/Church 2.00%
Ceremony Programs 0.25%
Misc 5.00%

What you need to do is figure out how much you can spending each category and then find a vendor that WILL do it for that price. And if you add one place you have to cut somewhere else (we added in photography and still only spent $4000 but took way from flowers) Good luck...

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Posted by ChristineAEid

My entire budget is $18,000 and so far we're right on target.

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That's not so bad. How many people and when are you getting married...just curious!!!

marymoon-
we are having about the same # of guests- inviting around 200, probably 175 will attend.

here are some places we cut things to save $$:
1) we negotiated our ceremony location fee down to $1000

2) we cut the vienese table out: saved $2000

3) we were going to have a full seafood bar but instead are having only clams and shrimp: saved another $2k

4) we are having a daytime reception rather than evening...saved ALOT!

5) holiday weekend- saved $5pp

6) only beer, wine, and champagne- saved another $2k

7) my dress is only $800...so will prob be $ 2000 AT MOST for my attire ( including the shoes i had to have :)

8)we are doing alot of the flowers ourselves saved a TON!

And lots of others...

I think you can cut out some of your music budget IMO- we are having my cousin play piano during the ceremony, and a dj for reception- that's it!!

For photography you are pretty right on: esp. if you want 2 photographers. Would you consider having only one? our photographer's work is so awesome we didn't even consider 2- she does a mix of styles.

Good Luck! It can be done!!

This is our breakdown


HALL @ 175 GUESTS $21,875.00
DJ $3,100.00
FLORIST $2,825.00
PHOTOGRAPHER $4,100.00
REHERSAL DINNER $2,060.00
HAIR/MAKE UP $210.00
HONEYMOON $7,236.00
LIMOS $1,550.00

SAVE THE DATE CARDS/MAGNETS/STAMPS
$142.71
GROOMS COIN/LUCKY SIXPENCE $6.99
SILVER BELLS/RING FOR A KISS 200 $25.55
COAT OF ARMS CHAMPAGNE GLASSES $58.45
DRESS $607.91
TIARA $85.91
VEIL $81.57
EARRINGS $27.19
FLOWER GIRL GIFTS $56.54
BRIDAL PARTY JEWELRY 9@$20.00 $180.00
PRE-CANA FEE $50.00
BLUE CRYSTALS FOR MY SHOES $23.05
PICTURE FRAMES FOR TABLE NUMBERS $131.14
MENU CARDS $39.11
PLACE CARDS $17.36
TUXEDO $0.66
PICTURE FRAME CARD HOLDER $38.28
5X7 PICTURES FOR FRAME CARD HOLDER $4.96
HAIR/MAKEUP TRIAL $100.00
GARTER $31.50

ITEMS STILL NEEDED:
CEREMONY FEE $475.00 (ACTUAL)
RINGS $2,500.00 (GUESTIMATE)
INVITATIONS/STAMPS
$700.00 (GUESTIMATE)
FAVORS $375.00 (GUESTIMATE)
BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS 18@$75.00 $1,350.00
RING BEARER GIFT $50.00 )
READERS GIFTS 2@$50.00 - $100.00
SHOES $50.00 (GUESTIMATE)
LINGERIE $100.00 (GUESTIMATE)

TOTAL WEDDING: $50,371.20

Good Luck,
Kelly
7/17/05

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Posted by kms71705

This is our breakdown


HALL @ 175 GUESTS $21,875.00
DJ $3,100.00
FLORIST $2,825.00
PHOTOGRAPHER $4,100.00
REHERSAL DINNER $2,060.00
HAIR/MAKE UP $210.00
HONEYMOON $7,236.00
LIMOS $1,550.00

SAVE THE DATE CARDS/MAGNETS/STAMPS
$142.71
GROOMS COIN/LUCKY SIXPENCE $6.99
SILVER BELLS/RING FOR A KISS 200 $25.55
COAT OF ARMS CHAMPAGNE GLASSES $58.45
DRESS $607.91
TIARA $85.91
VEIL $81.57
EARRINGS $27.19
FLOWER GIRL GIFTS $56.54
BRIDAL PARTY JEWELRY 9@$20.00 $180.00
PRE-CANA FEE $50.00
BLUE CRYSTALS FOR MY SHOES $23.05
PICTURE FRAMES FOR TABLE NUMBERS $131.14
MENU CARDS $39.11
PLACE CARDS $17.36
TUXEDO $0.66
PICTURE FRAME CARD HOLDER $38.28
5X7 PICTURES FOR FRAME CARD HOLDER $4.96
HAIR/MAKEUP TRIAL $100.00
GARTER $31.50

ITEMS STILL NEEDED:
CEREMONY FEE $475.00 (ACTUAL)
RINGS $2,500.00 (GUESTIMATE)
INVITATIONS/STAMPS
$700.00 (GUESTIMATE)
FAVORS $375.00 (GUESTIMATE)
BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS 18@$75.00 $1,350.00
RING BEARER GIFT $50.00 )
READERS GIFTS 2@$50.00 - $100.00
SHOES $50.00 (GUESTIMATE)
LINGERIE $100.00 (GUESTIMATE)

TOTAL WEDDING: $50,371.20

Good Luck,
Kelly
7/17/05

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Posted by kms71705

This is our breakdown


HALL @ 175 GUESTS $21,875.00
DJ $3,100.00
FLORIST $2,825.00
PHOTOGRAPHER $4,100.00
REHERSAL DINNER $2,060.00
HAIR/MAKE UP $210.00
HONEYMOON $7,236.00
LIMOS $1,550.00

SAVE THE DATE CARDS/MAGNETS/STAMPS
$142.71
GROOMS COIN/LUCKY SIXPENCE $6.99
SILVER BELLS/RING FOR A KISS 200 $25.55
COAT OF ARMS CHAMPAGNE GLASSES $58.45
DRESS $607.91
TIARA $85.91
VEIL $81.57
EARRINGS $27.19
FLOWER GIRL GIFTS $56.54
BRIDAL PARTY JEWELRY 9@$20.00 $180.00
PRE-CANA FEE $50.00
BLUE CRYSTALS FOR MY SHOES $23.05
PICTURE FRAMES FOR TABLE NUMBERS $131.14
MENU CARDS $39.11
PLACE CARDS $17.36
TUXEDO $0.66
PICTURE FRAME CARD HOLDER $38.28
5X7 PICTURES FOR FRAME CARD HOLDER $4.96
HAIR/MAKEUP TRIAL $100.00
GARTER $31.50

ITEMS STILL NEEDED:
CEREMONY FEE $475.00 (ACTUAL)
RINGS $2,500.00 (GUESTIMATE)
INVITATIONS/STAMPS
$700.00 (GUESTIMATE)
FAVORS $375.00 (GUESTIMATE)
BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS 18@$75.00 $1,350.00
RING BEARER GIFT $50.00 )
READERS GIFTS 2@$50.00 - $100.00
SHOES $50.00 (GUESTIMATE)
LINGERIE $100.00 (GUESTIMATE)

TOTAL WEDDING: $50,371.20

Good Luck,
Kelly
7/17/05

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That sounds about right, not including taxes and grat!!!!