How much is your wedding costing you?

[Jennica]

Hi! New here. Got married a few months ago and saved a ton by using this resource: http://getting-married.net

[Sharon99]

Wow you got your dress for $50! That is a great deal!
Our budget originally was $10,000 but we are already at 11 and still need to book our air, his outfit, oot bags & goodies...the list keeps going.

I am thinking we will be around $15,000 maybe a little over. I am hoping!

[torilynnsmith]

WOW!!!!!!!! That is quite the budget for DW!!!!!!  I can't believe it is basically paid for from your parties AND you have gotten registry items.... it sounds like you have the best of both worlds, the perfect DW AND all the gifts and money from an at home wedding!!!! I can't wait to see pictures!

Originally Posted by proti007 

We're getting married at Dreams Los Cabos in two weeks, and this is a breakdown of our costs:

 

Dreams Ultimate Package: $2800

Cost of additional guests (package includes 20): $1440

DJ: $1250

Photographer & Videographer: $5000

Flights/Accommodation for Photographer/Videographer: $1100

Florist: $1600 less resort credits, $1100

Hair/Makeup (Trial/Day of/Day after shoot, plus tax/grat for BMs and MOB/MOG): $900

Dress (plus alterations, shoes, veil): $4425 ***GIFT FROM PARENTS***

Grooms attire: $600

Groomsmen attire: $1100

Bridesmaid attire: $800

Gifts for bridesmaids/MOB/MOG: $650

Gifts for groomsmen/FOB/FOG: $1100

Guest THANK YOU Sunset Catamaran cruise: $1300

Decorations/Rentals: $2500

 

That brings us to a grand total of $21640. That does not include my wedding day attire, as it was a gift. That also doesn't include our wedding bands ($5000), our cost for the 10 nights in Cabo with flights ($4200) and our two-week honeymoon in California ($6000). If we did include those, it would be closer to $37000.

 

We're really lucky to have amazing families who have helped above and beyond. My parents hosted an engagement party for us in February (about 100 people) and our in-laws are hosting and AHR in August when we get back from our honeymoon (about 250 people). Between those two parties, the three bridal showers that have been thrown for me, as well as wedding gifts we've been receiving from family, we've more than covered the cost of our destination wedding, as well as had our registries purchased almost in full for our new house!

 

My advice to any brides-to-be would be to definitely stick to your guns with what you want, but to negotiate with vendors!!! We've saved thousands by discussing discounts with vendors in Mexico, and they've been more than happy to oblige - we're bringing 40 guests to their resort! Second would be to pick your battles with your FI!!! The ideas I had for decor (although stunning!), MAY have been a bit over the top. When he saw me diy-ing through many of my projects, he was happy to concede on the things I literally could not do myself (anyone know how to MAKE a tiffany chair for less than the $8 our hotel is charging us?!). Only two weeks to go!

 

 

[lianee]

My budget is around $13,000 right now.  I was hoping that it would be closer to the $7-8,000 range, but when I started adding things up, I was a bit surprised.  The $13,000 also includes our honeymoon, so I'm not too disappointed.  I'm still hoping to come in under budget on some things, like my dress and my fiance's clothing, but I figured I should budget on the higher end, just in case.  I'm also hoping (fingers crossed) that we have enough people booking that we get our first week free.  Right now we're at 10 booked and we need to get up to 16 for free rooms.  I just sent out my Save-the-Date's last week, so hopefully our guests start to book soon. 

 

[bebop]

Great breakdown proti!I am definitely using that as a basis for my plans!  If you have any more detailed info, could you please share with me at [email protected]?  Do you also have approximate costs for your guests traveling there?  

 

Thanks!  Brittany

[bride6262]

wow! i guess i have also broken the #1 rule because we dont have a budget either..... i am hoping to keep everyhting to around $5000. i sure hope i can!

[kad1010]

We went into it without a budget as well! We talked about it, but never made anything set in stone. We still have a long way til our wedding, so as of now I've only put a deposit down at the resort and sent out save the dates. But I think I should start figuring things out. I am hoping to stay between 10,000 - 13, 000.

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

wow! i guess i have also broken the #1 rule because we dont have a budget either..... i am hoping to keep everyhting to around $5000. i sure hope i can!

 

[LovesJakeyPoo]

I have a friend who is having a Catholic wedding here in So Cal and they are paying over 70k! I'm very curious how beautiful it's going to be! Makes meeh thankful Jake and I decided to do the DW thing!!! 15k isn't sounding too bad anymore!

[Bride2012]

70k?!?!?!?! That could be used on a downpayment on a house!!! I am soooo opposed to high dollar weddings.  The main reason I wanted something small is because the main cause of divorce and unhappiness in marriages is finances...why start off a union IN debt.  My fiancee and I are paying for everything ourselves out of pocket...no credit...i just can't see $70k....

 

....it's not about the wedding....its about the marriage

[meBonidie2be]

wow. 70K makes me want to cry.  I think FI and I will end up spending almost 30k which is still way too much. It is worth it to me tho to have my family with me on such an important day. Not to mention we will be having an AHR (if i can get to planning it) with about 300 ppl.