Budget
Budget is very important. The biggest stress for me (other than the guest list) was money. I had a very good plan set out that I, of course, did not follow which led to a great deal of stress before the wedding and deferring a couple loan payments. So try your hardest to stick with your payment schedule.
I wanted to share with you my expenses to show you that an inexpensive wedding can happen and for a good price.
I wanted to share with you my expenses to show you that an inexpensive wedding can happen and for a good price.
Main Expenses
Hall $0
Caterer $4232
Photography $1650
DJ $500
Videographer $700
Dress $840
Flowers $654
Cake $421
Ceremony musicians $250
Linens/chair Covers $191
Napkins $66
*I am still editing this list
Caterer $4232
Photography $1650
DJ $500
Videographer $700
Dress $840
Flowers $654
Cake $421
Ceremony musicians $250
Linens/chair Covers $191
Napkins $66
*I am still editing this list
Tips on Budget
The biggest tip I can give is to investigate investigate investigate.
Our hall was free because our wedding was on a Friday as long as we got their full service catering the hall was free. They were also running a promotion: Free vases, mirrors for vases, 4 candle holders, and chargers with deposit.
Floral: I only had 2 bridesmaids which saved money on the bouquets, I didn't have a tossing bouquet, and I decided to do non floral centerpieces. For $461 I purchased: my bouquet ($175), 2 bridesmaids bouquet ($45e), wrist corsages for the moms/grandmas ($25ea), arrangement for sweetheart table ($55), plus tax and shipping/delivery.
She was going to charge me $100-$150 each for 2 floral arrangements for the ceremony but I found a friend that rents out birch trees for $200 which include white lights and floral decorations plus I had a coupon so I decided to do 1 tree, with tax and delivery fees it came to $193.28
The boutineers I found on etsy were a good price. $89 for 8 regular bout's, 1 grooms bout plus shipping (she was slightly cheaper than my florist who was doing generic roses).
Photography: I'm not sure if I got a deal or not with my photog, I know that she had raised her prices from when I got a quote to the time I booked and she honored the quote. Most photog's in my area who were on the same skill level as her were about the same price. $1500-$2500. This included the engagement session, day of, and a disc. We absolutely loved her too.
Videography: A college friend mentioned to me one day that her husband does videography so he offered me a deal of $700 which I think was a steal especially since most are over $1500.
Ceremony Musicians: I am a musician myself so I got a flute and harp due for $250, usually $400. Since I knew the flutist she waived her fee so essentially I only paid for the harpest.
Wedding Accessories: Earrings $70 (with shipping), Head piece $179, veil $25, petticoat $0 (FSILs), shoes $15, bracelet $9.99 (charming charlie), bra $79 (didn't really need it after all), garter $12
Our hall was free because our wedding was on a Friday as long as we got their full service catering the hall was free. They were also running a promotion: Free vases, mirrors for vases, 4 candle holders, and chargers with deposit.
Floral: I only had 2 bridesmaids which saved money on the bouquets, I didn't have a tossing bouquet, and I decided to do non floral centerpieces. For $461 I purchased: my bouquet ($175), 2 bridesmaids bouquet ($45e), wrist corsages for the moms/grandmas ($25ea), arrangement for sweetheart table ($55), plus tax and shipping/delivery.
She was going to charge me $100-$150 each for 2 floral arrangements for the ceremony but I found a friend that rents out birch trees for $200 which include white lights and floral decorations plus I had a coupon so I decided to do 1 tree, with tax and delivery fees it came to $193.28
The boutineers I found on etsy were a good price. $89 for 8 regular bout's, 1 grooms bout plus shipping (she was slightly cheaper than my florist who was doing generic roses).
Photography: I'm not sure if I got a deal or not with my photog, I know that she had raised her prices from when I got a quote to the time I booked and she honored the quote. Most photog's in my area who were on the same skill level as her were about the same price. $1500-$2500. This included the engagement session, day of, and a disc. We absolutely loved her too.
Videography: A college friend mentioned to me one day that her husband does videography so he offered me a deal of $700 which I think was a steal especially since most are over $1500.
Ceremony Musicians: I am a musician myself so I got a flute and harp due for $250, usually $400. Since I knew the flutist she waived her fee so essentially I only paid for the harpest.
Wedding Accessories: Earrings $70 (with shipping), Head piece $179, veil $25, petticoat $0 (FSILs), shoes $15, bracelet $9.99 (charming charlie), bra $79 (didn't really need it after all), garter $12