Wedding Budget

Here's a run-down of our budget, well under the original 35K. If you haven't planned a huge event in 15 years, or you think weddings should cost 5K or only have 50 people or something, just move along. This post is not for you.

This wedding has over 200 guests. I'll go over individual categories later. I have a lot more to say than this and about individual expenses.

This post is pre-scheduled, so hopefully this budget is close enough. Oh, and don't bother with the passive aggressive, "who needs a wedding that costs more than 5K" "those flowers are absurd" posts, unless you wanna argue with my Mama. Didn't think so.

We really put our money where our mouth is! Looking at this budget, you can see exactly what the priorities were for us.
* For Senor Dog, he had to fly in that DJ, and he was the first thing booked.
* I cared about photography and about spending a relaxing morning with my girls and my mom with hair and makeup
* Mom wanted cake and flowers. I lost that one.

Apparel:

725 wedding dress + cultural dress + alterations
250 accessories
610 bridesmaid dresses
100 ties for men
220 kids’ clothes (junior BM, ring bearer, flower girl)
____
1,905

Reception:

2,500 venue fees
3,500 food
1,500 booze
1,500 DJ (flown in)
700 bartenders
800 cake (Mama’s dream)
125 rentals
200 tips
______
10,825

Décor:
50 ceremony
2600 flowers (Mama’s dream)
600 linens
300 reception accessories (frames, vases, candles, kids coloring books)
_____
3,550

Pros:
700 valet (mandatory)
200 security (mandatory)
4,000 photography (2 photographers + photoshopping + prints/album +engagement shots)
_____
4,900

Getting Ready with the Girls:
600 hair
400 makeup
____
1,000

Other:
300 hotel room (suite for girls’ morning + wedding night)
800 paper (invites, save the date, thank you, programs, menus)
170 postage
50 guest book
85 website + hosting
250 attendant gifts
100 officiant gift
250 plane ticket for friend in Haiti
______
2,005

Total: 24,185