Typical Budget?

[*JillD*]

I'm running into the same thing. We didn't want a big wedding and didn't really want to spend 20k, but the more I look at things, the more I feel like this isn't going to be cheap. I think we will probably only have between 25 and 30 guests, so I'm hoping & praying to keep it under 10k. But we'll see, there are some things I think I can do myself and keep things simple, I don't need anything too elaborate, my biggest expense will probably be my photographer, I want beautiful pictures!

[SASSYGIRL]

We are getting married at the Hilton and paying for our guests hotel stay for 3 nights - we are expecting 30 adults and 9 kids (including us) and I am hoping to stay between 15-20K. Our biggest expense is going to be the rooms for guest which should come in around 7500. I figure Cabo is such a bueatiful place we should need to spend a lot on flowers and decorations. I am going to budget 1000 for our attire - this is on the low end but I know I can find a nice dress and suit for close to that. I guess what I am saying is that anything is possable it just depends on what you MAKE important to you!

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akh Jackie, that's a great way to look at it. I was starting to worry a little about how much this was going to end up costing, only because I originally thought it would be a little cheaper. But if you think about all that you get out of the whole wedding week - it's a wedding, PLUS a great vacation! I see a lot of references to how staying at an AI will save you lots of money ... why exactly is that? Since I am not getting married at a resort, but rather at a location that is not affiliated with any resort (in PV) I need to find a resort/hotel for everyone to stay at, and probably have the welcome dinner at, independently. Would an AI still be a good idea? (my wedding will likely be 30-50 people)

AI's save you $$ because food and alcohol/drinks are usually the largest costs so at AI's those are mainly paid for...some resorts make you pay an extra set up fee to have a private event. it is a cheaper way to have a reception and welcome/rehearsel dinner...

ann, even though you are having your wedding on the island, if you stay at an AI and have over 10 rooms blocked, you might want to consider having a welcome dinner at the resort.

[Jackie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by host AI's save you $$ because food and alcohol/drinks are usually the largest costs so at AI's those are mainly paid for...some resorts make you pay an extra set up fee to have a private event. it is a cheaper way to have a reception and welcome/rehearsel dinner... ann, even though you are having your wedding on the island, if you stay at an AI and have over 10 rooms blocked, you might want to consider having a welcome dinner at the resort.

Ann, this idea is good. Look into having your welcome dinner at the resort. If you choose and AI. It could save you some major money. There are some really great resorts to chose from that are AI in the PV area.

Your meals and drinks are paid for in advance and usually (in my opinion) at a lower rate $$ wise than you would pay if you were to pay for every single drink and meal every day. I would much rather pay for this in advance and not have to worry about budgeting enough money for food and drink. The majority of our guests do like to enjoy their food and drinks though so this may differ from your needs.

[gkashmira]

I have no idea where our budget ended up but it's probably closer to the 20K mark since our original plan of having 50 people is out the door.

 

The thing that is cheaper about an AI is that when you have a wedding at an AI (or even if you don't have the actual ceremony but you do have the reception, etc.) is that all the food and drinks are generally included. Sionce the guests are already paying to be staying at an AI then there is no additional fee for them. There is generally a set-up fee per person but this comes out to way less than what food & drinks wsill cost. However if you do not plan on holding your events at the hotel than this may not be a good option for you...

 

Tammy would know better though...

 

Where are you planning on getting married right now?

[SarahMc]

So I'm no where near being close to final numbers either but it looks like we'll be around $8,000 (although I keep finding things to add) which includes our nine-day stay, photographer, a reception for 30 at an AI and $1500 of some friend's travel expenses. I'm sure I'll find some other stuff, but I think I budgeted for everything thanks to everyone's great lists on this forum! I think it's like what everyone else said. You can do it for less, it just depends what you want.

[Natalie Z]

My FI is a buisness man and he has the expense sheet up all the time! He actually just sent me one today and it said $20K for total including everything. I personally think that is high end and I'm hoping for $15k. I wanted to do a destination wedding because 1- I was already married and had a huge 300 person wedding and I thought that was such a waste of $35k. 2- i wanted it to be fun and last longer with out all the high end costs!

[LCBride2007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natalie M My FI is a buisness man and he has the expense sheet up all the time! He actually just sent me one today and it said $20K for total including everything. I personally think that is high end and I'm hoping for $15k. I wanted to do a destination wedding because 1- I was already married and had a huge 300 person wedding and I thought that was such a waste of $35k. 2- i wanted it to be fun and last longer with out all the high end costs!

I agree - those are the same reasons I wanted a DW. That and I LOVE the ocean, so any excuse to visit works for me. I was surprised my FI agreed though, since he's never been married and belongs to a somewhat conservative, Irish, Catholic family. But to my surprise, he loved the idea!

Where do you live in Chicago (we live there too, which is why I ask)? We live in the city, I think it's called "West Town" area.

[Natalie Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akh I agree - those are the same reasons I wanted a DW. That and I LOVE the ocean, so any excuse to visit works for me. I was surprised my FI agreed though, since he's never been married and belongs to a somewhat conservative, Irish, Catholic family. But to my surprise, he loved the idea! Where do you live in Chicago (we live there too, which is why I ask)? We live in the city, I think it's called "West Town" area.

I asked you the same thing in another thread( that's funny, well they just changed the name to west town, they put all those new signs. what are your cross streets. i'm ohio and ashland. If you live in west town we are right around the corner from each other.

[LCBride2007]

Ummm, hi neighbor - we live at Ohio and Noble. LOL - small world!