I have read a lot of posts about people who say they are way over budget.
I'm trying to avoid this at all costs... If you don't mind, could you tell me why you think you went over budget? Did you underestimate the number of people on the guest list / who would come? Did you underestimate the cost of vendors? Did you splurge on extras? Did you decide to blow the budget on something that came up that was more expensive than you planned (E.g. - -an awesome photographer who was twice your budget)? Did the little things just add up?
Combination of the above?
I'm just curious to know so I can plan for myself. We have a budget and everything so far is staying within it. I just want to avoid any potential pitfalls.
Thanks!
Chrissywish
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
i'm only in the beginning but that is a really good question
conigs25
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
Because EVERYTHING costs more than you think it will AND bc you dont budget for the 'unknown' things that 'pop up' along the way
Kerrycec
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
we did ok on budget, only went over a little and that was because of extras (ie DH's kilt..)
kb
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
We didn't go over budget because we actually had less people come than we were expecting however, what really added up were the little things. The extra haircuts or manicures leading up to the wedding, your idea for table numbers flops and you have to buy all new craft supplies, you end up eating out more because you might as well if you're running to some appointment right after work, you decide to workout with a trainer 1x per week to get in shape, etc. Basically lots of stuff related to your lifestyle changing a bit during the wedding planning process.
Also tips on the day of felt like a lot. To have to take a few thousand in cash out the week before was something I didn't really factor in along the way.
murphyt33
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
I think cause everything costs more than you think. Also things I didn't think mattered like Video now I am getting the top of the line video. Flowers and so on. I can never get the basic package I keep upgrading.
MnM52607
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
To be honest, the honeymoon put us over budget. We went all out for the honeymoon. But we booked it ourselves and don't have to pay the balance until we get down there. So it will work itself out in the end.
Kara and Todd
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
This is all really helpful! Thank you, everyone!
brittny817
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
I think a bride earlier said it best, because things are so much more expensive than you anticipated. I don't want to say we are 'over' budget but we probably spent the most on bands (live music at the ceremony, CH and reception). We are spending more than we would like to but it is what it is
JenMike331
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
Posted by Kerrycec
we did ok on budget, only went over a little and that was because of extras (ie DH's kilt..)
exactly and plus u want what u want....WELL AT LEAST THATS HOW I FELT....lol.....im not a ridiculous spender but ive busted my a$$ my whole life and cut corners saying i couldnt do this bc i couldnt afford it bc my parents never were able financially to help sooooooo i said my freakin wedding is NOT gonna be another time when i pinch pennies and say i cant have that bc i cant afford it
kittythestray
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
Great question!
EVERYTHING cost more than we thought - we had NO idea what to expect to pay for things and wound up being unrealistic about certain costs. Like photographer, we just assumed $1,000. We had NO idea that was just unrealistic.
I didn't originally budget for hair/makeup trials & then I had had a bunch of hair trials and not liked anything and then just went with a really expensive person because she was SO good...
I forgot TIPS in my original budget which came to over $1,000 more $$.
I didn't even know about certain things I would later want because of this website...
I actually CUT my guest list a little to make up some $$ which was a BIG help, which is why I am SO glad I didn’t do STD’s – I am glad I kept all my little extras but just cut out some people who I really didn’t need to invite anyway.
itslaurie.
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
because apparently I thought my friends and families were a bunch of lushes and I bought way too much wine & liquor.
or maybe I just thought they were classier than they really are since all the beer was gone.
libby2595
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
what put us over budget?????
yes, good question.
the answer is:
i got $CREWED BY TWO VENDORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that meant i had to run out at THE LAST MINUTE to replace them. the new vendors knew they had me 'bent over' at that point and they 'GAVE IT TO ME' too.
sounds horrible, i know. but you can just imagine how i felt, living through it.
oh and like kittythestray said, there were also the things i 'JUST HAD TO HAVE' once i started hanging out around here.
kitty1224
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
I went over budget because first I did not think I would be paying so much for all the vendors. The taxes, flowers, I spent almost 4k on flowers and a lot more on my gown, I diod not care how much it cost I wanted it so I go it, then FH wanted the upgrade for DJ and a cigar roller and thats why. We wanted the best of everything and did not want to settle for anything else thats why , but we are paying for it ourselves so why not have what you want.
acsm
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
its weird but i've been on target with my budget sort of... i tried to set realistic budgets with vendors.. i knew i didnt want to spend over $2-2.5k for each vendor ex photography but i've been in the neighborhood.. well the RH is where we are splurging... but i'm only getting married once so why not! in the end i know i didnt want to go too over board but enough to get the wedding with both want..
preciousstone
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
BECAUSE YOU SET THE BUDGET W/OUT REALLY KNOWING WHAT THINGS COST... NOT ONLY WHAT A REGULAR PERSON COST... BUT WHAT YOU REALLY ARE GOING TO LIKE.. IS GOING TO COST... I THINK IT REALLY IN THE BUDGET MAKING... YOU HAVE TO POUND THE PAVEMENT... AND PRICE THINGS BASED ON WHO AND WHAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE... OR AT LEAST LIVE WITH... AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO LIVE W/OUT OR WHATEVER... HTH... WISH SOMEONE HAD MADE THIS POST 2MONTHS AGO WHEN I STARTED PLANNING...
Kara and Todd
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
This is giving me hope b/c we did not set our budget until after we did extensive research. I'm hoping this means we'll be able to stay close. So far, we're keeping within our budget nicely and haven't found too many vendors we absolutely must have outside of our budget.
I just need to keep the other 'little expense' we don't budget for in check.
Thanks for the advice ladies!
October Bliss
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
We didn't go over budget at all, and we had 'extras' like my horse and carriage. My sister got married in '04 and I was able to discuss with her what we could realistically expect to spend on a photogragher or a DJ. In the end, we budgeted more for some things (like the DJ) and less for others (like invites) than we actually paid, but those things balanced themselves out.
PreshusSmurf
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
we didn't really set a budget until after we figured out how much the hall was going to cost.
most of the things i've read said that as a rule of thumb the hall is 50% of the total cost and went from there ....
things like music, flowers, photo/video, and attire are each supposed to get 10%. and i think stationery was 6% and the 'extras' are 4%. (i could be off on these percentages, but that's what i remember)
so far we've been really good about staying within those %s. we are a little over on the flowers, but we are under on the music (d.j. instead of band), so it all seems like it will work out in the end ....
portjeffbride
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Re: Why did you go over-budget?
we had to have a reality check soon after starting the planning process...... we increased the budget by 60% Why?
Well, it was due to 2 main phenomena: 1) ouch that is really expensive!!! the reception hall and bar service costs HOW much??? (and in retrospect, we have a great deal.... rather reasonable relative to many other venues...), how much does a decent photographer cost? Cake from our favorite bakery
2) oh, we have to pay for that too, huh? you don't realize how badly the budget balloons when you actually add up the millions of low $ items.... purse, shoes, crinoline, wedding favors, ring pillow, votive holders, small decorations, make-up, hair, bubbles, flowergirl basket, cake topper... it goes on
other things we really did well.... And our guest list has hardly changed at all.....
