How is your budget??

[NewOrleansbride]

I was reviewing my budget today and I kinda freaked out about how much money I am spending on our wedding (I haven't even paid for the big ticket item yet- the location). I'm really close to going over budget (my budget is $15k)!

 

How is everyone else doing in regards to staying within their budget? For the brides who have already gotten married - did you go over budget or were you pretty on target throughout the planning process?

[yamille]

Well, we didn't have a set budget per say but we had a number in mind and we have raised that number now. Basically we are trying to guestimate how many people will actually come which really affects how much we spend.

 

I am keeping track of what we are spending and we decided together what was most important to us as a couple and have been negotiating from there.

 

This thread from the past might help

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t933

[NewOrleansbride]

Thanks! I'm definitely going to check out that thread. I am hoping to be able to sell some of it either on this site or ebay after the wedding (or before if I have a surplus of stuff). I think I might sell my dress (depending on what condition it's in).

[Davematthews16]

Hmmm....We have somewhat of a budget, but it's not written in stone. We both agreed that we want it to be exactly how we want it, within reason of course. I guess everyone has their things about the wedding that they will NOT "cut corners on" and other things that they will. Honestly, every single thing from my dress at David's Bridal to the OOT bags at Micheals, to the centerpieces at Kohls have been exactly what I want and have been on sale. I chose to make my own BF sandals for about $15.00 then spend the $65.00+shipping for the ones I loved online.I LOVE the ones I made even more. The photography package however, we are spending an arm and a leg on because it was one of those "we're not cutting corners" things. It's like the 4 c's in diamond shopping. You chose which one is most important, and sacrafice just a bit on the things that are less important.

[Hartyt509]

Mine is ok but that is only because we are having no bridal party and not going outside of the package only because we just don't have the cash. The hotel and flights have cost us a fortune

[KarmaB]

I had a budget when we started planning and I have since doubled that number. I have discussed every purchase with Steve along the way and we both agreed the expenses were necessary and it was spent on things we both really wanted. Now with that said, we are spending cash on our wedding, not credit. If we didn't have the cash to spend I probably would have tried harder to stay on budget.

[NewOrleansbride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FutureMrsB Now with that said, we are spending cash on our wedding, not credit. If we didn't have the cash to spend I probably would have tried harder to stay on budget.

I hear ya on that! I have friends who are still paying off their weddings and they already have their first child! We're fortunate to be able to pay cash for everything and have a wedding of our dreams.

[Angel]

We don't have a budget or a set amount that we do not want to exceed. We are paying cash for everything. The wedding itself isn't costing us much it's just the cost of the resort and how long we are staying.

[Martha]

We don't have a budget. We just get what we can afford. We are paying cash for everything. I refuse to put anything on credit card or take out from our savings.

 

With that being said, our biggest expense is our photographer. I would not skimp out on lasting memories like that.

[j5nichols2]

My Family is being very generous, so with their help and our own savings we will be able to pay for everything ourselves. With that said, it is still costing us around $13K. But to put it all in perspective, when we were planning an at home wedding we were looking at $25K for around 150 guest. (and we really weren't being that glitzy) With our destination wedding we are able to have everything we want and half the cost.