Paying for guests?

[MrsWtobe]

I think it really helped to see people's budgets (sorry--I didn't realize there was a forum for budgets!!)...I think the main difference is that I will be keeping it very simple and just using the restaurant at the hotel for my reception. I think that's where a lot of the costs seem to add up and that's what was confusing me. We are also trying to keep it all inclusive so maybe again, that's where some costs will differ.

 

Thanks so much for everyone's responses and help!

[atjorgensen]

We are not paying for anyone but us. We have an open invitation with no expecations from anyone. My family isnt even going. His mom dad and sister are going but paying their own way. The friends that are going are paying for themselves. We are just doing the wedding there and not much else. We are having a reception back here when we come back. We may pay for a private dinner or cocktail party but I don't even know about that!!! Everyone in our group knows how tight our budget is so no one expects anything! Just a fun vacation with a wedding in the middle!!! : )

[BayBug]

My FI and I are having a simple wedding as well. There is no way we could keep it at $5K. We are looking at about $10K. This is including attire, rings, invites, hotel, ceremony, pics, and reception. There are other little things that I did not mention. There is no way we could afford to pay for people. I am hoping for a small wedding. 25 people are less, but it does not look like we are going to have that. I think the most expensive thing was the dress. My fault though. I really wanted it.

[TammyB]

Well I'm at 14k and were only having about 6-10 people attend our wedding. That amount includes EVERYTHING, from the wedding bands, pictures, ceremony, dinner, WC, resort for 8 nights, rental car, dress, and spending money for activities.

[destinationbride07]

Nope I am not paying for guests..they wish lol lol

[Nrvsbride]

Ok I must smoke crack or something b/c I don't understand how everyone's budgets are so low. I feel like just my photography and WC will cost $10,000. What am I doing wrong? I know some girls are paying for some of their guests like Sarah (Sassygirl) I believe is paying for her guests hotel. And other girls are paying for BM dresses. I am not a good person to offer advice on this topic b/c I am the worst at budgeting. I am just going to try save as much as possible and hope for the best.

 

-Glenda

[MrsWtobe]

Ack..I didn't want to actually have to realize how much everything is going to be but....here goes. The trip down will cost approximately $3000, my dress was only $200, fiance's suit $200, we chose the free wedding package (which gives us flowers, cake, dinner, etc.), the judge's fee is $300, documents $300, rings were $1000, oot bags $200, gifts $200. So I think I'm a bit over $5000 but maybe I'm forgetting something

[LCBride2007]

What about STD, invitations, or anything else you plan on sending out? Don't have to be expensive, but something to consider. Will you have any additional music? Is there an additional fee for your reception dinner or other private event? Are you having a photographer or videographer? Hair & Makeup? Other random things - table decorations, labels, announcements, postage, additional flowers and other decor, etc.?

 

Just trying to make sure you get a good budget set up front!

[MrsWtobe]

I did forget about the invitations...they were $200....but other than that, I'm not really too worried about music, centrepieces, etc. I'm trying to go as minimal as possible. But that could of course change!

[Christine]

Mrs W to be-sorry not sure what your name is. You did not mention a photog. Also you said you are going with the resort wedding package. I originally planned to do that also, but the package was only for bride and groom and two witnesses, all other people had to be paid for. Another thing, some AI's will not let you just go into a restaraunt with 30 people and eat...ours told us they would not seat us together and if we wanted dinner we would have to pay per guest (this was one of the reasons we chose to have a location closer to our family because the price they were asking for, wound up being more than if I had a traditional wedding/destination wedding near home)