and In total the wedding is costing $47k and that is if we just meet our minimum. We're not paying for everything ourselves, my parents and FIL's have helped alot but we have a 50% payment due to the RH in March and we still need to save $11k-I have no idea how we are gonna do it.
Kristina2009
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Re: Put together our budget last night
It will get done. Don't worry. I don't even want to admit what we are spending - it is ridiculous and more than I ever imagined and we are doing it all solo. He is 30, I am 29 in Dec. so we have been working a while but we are blowing a lot of our savings on this. Although, knowing we have so much to pay out in the next 8 months has definetely forced us to save a bit more so that is good. Other than a gigantic splurge gift (which is his bday and wedding gift) and party for his 30th this weekend we really have been money conscious.
Somehow the money does get saved. Also, if you run a little short try borrowing from your parents . You can return it quickly so there is no guilt there.
When I think about what me wedding is costing I start thinking about how I could have traveled the world for years on that money or quit this job which entails 60 + hours a week for a long while - ahh the choices we make!
PROBM
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Re: Put together our budget last night
i know but its something i always dreamed of and i would regret it for the rest of my life if i did not get married with all my friends and family present. you can always save up again ,its only money. momories will last forever. the whole wedding is just not one day... its all the planning and bonding with friends and family that i am paying for and i belive its worth every penny!!!!
Thats my story and I am sticking to it! hahahhaha
Dr Meg
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Re: Put together our budget last night
I kept telling FH I was sorry last night. I know most of the wedding expenses are because of me and my expensive taste. add to the fact that FH can't say no to me and here we are. He just got a big raise last week and I graduate and start working in Jan so hopefully we can pull through it.
MirabellaNYC
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Re: Put together our budget last night
We did it too...ours is 60 (yikes)...at least we have a year, 2 IRS checks, and my mom is helping us with a good sized portion. Plus I can do a lot of freelance work which will definitely help. No shopping or stupid spending for us this year. Its gonna be all about canned tuna and tap water!
But it will be SO worth it.
coldasice217
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Wow. I don't want to be rude at all, and please don't take it that way, but I couldn't even possibly fathom spending that much money. I almost feel like I'd have to TRY to hit that mark. I have a very small family though, and we're only having around 125-135 people, in the off season, so I guess that plays a big part. Once I actually sit down and figure out the itemized expenses though I'm sure I'll be shocked as well.
MirabellaNYC
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Re: Put together our budget last night
We both have HUGE families, so theres no way it will be less than 220 people, which is why its so insanely big and expensive. We probably over estimated a little bit, but we'd rather assume its more $$ than less. We have connections for flowers, limo, dj, and invitations so luckily we won't pay full price for any of that. Most of our budget is on the RH. Luckily my FH and I make pretty good salaries. Thats our saving grace. We're hoping to make a little $ at the engagement party too (wishful thinking)
Dr Meg
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Posted by coldasice217
Wow. I don't want to be rude at all, and please don't take it that way, but I couldn't even possibly fathom spending that much money. I almost feel like I'd have to TRY to hit that mark. I have a very small family though, and we're only having around 125-135 people, in the off season, so I guess that plays a big part. Once I actually sit down and figure out the itemized expenses though I'm sure I'll be shocked as well.
Most of our budget is the RH too. Our guest list is up to 225, so we'll probably go way over our 175 minimum. We could have gone with a less expensive venue, but FH has a hard time telling me no. I fell in love with The Crescent even before we got engaged and as he said, he'd rather look back at our pictures and not say 'what if we had it somewhere else.'
Kristina2009
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Posted by MirabellaNYC
We both have HUGE families, so theres no way it will be less than 220 people, which is why its so insanely big and expensive. We probably over estimated a little bit, but we'd rather assume its more $$ than less. We have connections for flowers, limo, dj, and invitations so luckily we won't pay full price for any of that. Most of our budget is on the RH. Luckily my FH and I make pretty good salaries. Thats our saving grace. We're hoping to make a little $ at the engagement party too (wishful thinking)
I have the same problem . We are looking at 200-250 people and our guests are the type that are use to upgrades at the wedding (Italian/Croatian)so the price of the catering hall alone is more than most weddings. I hope you girls are right and that the memories of it make it worth all the money. Also, like mirbella said I would never throw this type of party if FH and I couldn't pay for it. Our families are not well off and I would never let them shoulder any of this burden. We just work so hard so it is hard to phantom how fast it goes. Also, for a saturday wedding in may - well, even being a lil cost conscious is hard but our families made a big deal about bad weather and workdays so we just obliged.
MirabellaNYC
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Re: Put together our budget last night
My FH's entire family is from Italy! And he wanted the Saturday night party..what a bill racker-upper!
littlepixie12
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Re: Put together our budget last night
omg, I know how you feel. We are really in a tight budget though. Our inital wedding budget total was $20 because we are paying for it ourselves. We are acutally over that by like 4grand. But his dad (his parents are divorced) told us he would pay for his guests becuase he wants to invite his boss and other poeople. So he is acutally also paying for his side of the family. So we dont know how much that will be, but we might just break even. We are saving hardcore and I dont know how we will do it!
littlepixie12
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Posted by MirabellaNYC
My FH's entire family is from Italy! And he wanted the Saturday night party..what a bill racker-upper!
We have the same problem! Italian on both sides. My whole fam is in Italy and the economy there isnt that great so I doubt anyone will really come except for my grandmom and my aunt and uncle. I really wanted a sat night wedding too! but I just couldnt afford it so i had to step back and say its really not worth it when I can do a friday night for less and get the VH and extras at cocktail for less than sat night! So thats what we did and we did it on a holiday weekend where people might be off already or getting out of work early
EsquireBride
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Wow -- but I am sure you will be able to buckle down and save that money.
I decided that even though I could have thrown quite a wedding because I have a lot in savings, I didn't want to go into my savings at all. We cut back the guest list (75 minimum, and we should come in between 75 and 80 depending on elderly guests), went with a winter date, and a Monday of a three-day weekend too. We negotiated with every vendor and saved several thousand from the photographer and videographer (package includes albums). I pretty much took last year's bonus check, and that became the budget for the wedding and the HM. I upped the budget a touch when I got my tax refund this year which allowed us to stay in a cooler hotel for hte HM, but that is it.
Your budget may not be as 'high' as you think, also. Some payments may be due after the wedding -- for example, we don't have to pay the last $1500 or so to the photographer until we receive the albums. So we might not even be paying that money until 6 months after the wedding. And don't forget you will get wedding gifts/money, so if you need to borrower from someone some last minute $$$$, you should be able to immediately pay them back soon after the wedding.
MrsLarrea2B
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Re: Put together our budget last night
We started with a 20K budget. LOL. that quickly grew to over 40K. Now we are pushing 45K.... We are doing this alone so it really stinks. I also thought spending 40K on a wedding was crazy, but once I saw what was out there I realized that 40 K wasn't so bad for 200 people on a saturday night. Whatever, in the end I'm sure it will all work out.... I hope
CMBove
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Our budget is btw 25-30K- more money than I ever spent on anything- well besides my college loans which are way above that number...We have been pretty good about staying in budget and my parents are helping quite a lot for I did not expect at all- so far the savings have been going well!!! almost 10K saved since March. Both of us are savers and I can make extra money via extra ER shits so that helps.
I had to say NO to myself a few times- my dress was less than 1K (Yay, love it!) will be sl more with alt and bustle. My video choice was more moderate but i spent the money on photo. We are doing a sat afternoon so that is helping. Both our fams are small (I wish I had a big family!) so we I doubt we will be over our 140 min. Still have flowers and limos to go...
I know it will all be worth it! when i marry my Best friend (is is next year yet?)!!
MrsKtoBe
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Re: Put together our budget last night
Dont worry, it will be worth every penny. If you have a big family, its inevitable!! You will have the pics of your day for the rest of your long happy life together. Thats what I'm telling myself! lol
