Budget

I know. I want to do something relatively simple as well. I just need to get my butt in gear and get some other quotes, or see if Elena Damy will negotiate.

ok here is ours- keep in mind this is what we have budgeted- we are hoping we come out under budget:

all apparrel (bride dress, tux, shoes, undergarments, etc): $1600

decorations (centerpeices, candles, etc) : $500

gifts (bridesmaids, groomsmen, and OOT bags) : $975

flowers : $800

photographer : $1600

IPOD speaker, music and mic rental: $240

reception: $3500

cake: $400

stationary(STD, invites, guest book): $950

sparklers : $200

hotel and airfare- this is being covered by matts parents as our cost of honeymoon

GRAND TOTAL: $10, 765

our budget os $10K so HOPEFULLY we are UNDER budget!!!!

Okay, here is the damage ladies:

Reception (food, drinks, wine, cake, apps, tax, service charge): $7,800

Ceremony (chairs, officiant, microphone): $700

Attire (me and FI clothes, accessories, hair/makeup): $1,000

Photography (bradley fraser): $600

Music (guitar player and DJ): $1,130

Flowers: $400

Stationery (invites, StD, postage): $400

Transportation (me/FI, sis/BIL, parents): $2,000

Hotel (me/FI, sister/BIL, parents): $2,000

Misc (day-of planner, favors, gifts, etc): $1,000

And there goes $17,000! But my budget was $20K, so if I really come in under, my parents give me $3K cash!!!!!!!!! (That is totally my incentive here to stay under budget. And yes I am spoiled rotten )

okay...Am I crazy?! I thought I was planning an intimate affair that was going to be fairly reasonable....Is that just crazy I was hoping to keep it under $10k. Am I just a newly engaged gal seeing stars Stop me now if I am!!! Help!! I starting to think I'm in over my head here!

Okay well a lot has changed sine my "we're not spendimg more than 10K days..." namely our guest list (parent's fault) and all the extra we WERE (operative word here) going to cut (again parent's fault) so... I really only want about 50 people there but it looks like it's going to be a lot closer to 75 or (heaven help me!) 100... estimates below are for 75

Flight: $800

Hotel Rooms: $960

Flowers: $800

Music: $1400 (hoping to for less!)

Reception Food: $4220

Drinks: $4000

Cake: $750 (hopefully less if I can bring in cupcakes!)

Invites: $500

Decorations: $200

Coordinator Fee: $600

Photography & Video: $1500

So that's $15,730 but I have a feeling after it's all said and done it'll be more like 20K... I can't remember everything in the budget right now... yikes! Especially since there's no dress/gifts table decorations... etc. etc. in there!

Is anyone else feeling a little sick right now (Liza, I know you are!)

Felicity,

Janet is totally right, as long as your guest list is small and you consider an All-Inclusive I think you can do it. Just decide what's important to you and spend your money on those things... cut from the rest.

My plan was very much the same and I think if we had been able to do it (without before mentioned parental intervention) for about 11K for 50 people. So it can be done! The problem is not adding in the extras later!

Karla, how many people are you having?

OK, I just realized that I posted three responses in a row... probably could have combined those into one! Sorrrrrrrrrrry!