I finally sat down and updated our wedding budget now that all expenses have been paid. Here is a run down of how we did it with a guest list of 45:
Invitations, thank-yous,programs, website: $150
I designed and printed our own, and created our website myself. Cost was of paper materials, and hosting.
My dress, vail, shoes : $920
got my designer dress for 1/2 off. My mom made my vail since I wanted something simple. Found perfectly matching shoes on final clearance
Hair, makeup, jewelry : $80
went to two of the finest salons in town for trials and was absolutely disappointed. Ended up trying a lady at a local cost cutters who has been doing hair for 30 years. She was amazing, and what a steal!
His suit and shoes : $270
got his 100% wool Ralph Lauren dark steel gray suit at final clearance
Flowers : $980
for church, centerpieces, bouquet, boutonniere, with orchids, calla lilies, roses
Photographers: $1000
included 2 photographers shooting a 2 hour engagement session and 6 hours on the wedding day.
Decorations: $300
large custom frames for wedding photos of both of our parents and grandparents. Flower petals and rice. Photo mat. About 500 candles.
Reception: $7500 (partially gifted)
Total splurge. Held at the most pricey place in town, but also the most elegant and beautiful. Had two separate rooms, the patio and lawn reserved. About 10 hours of hors douvres, dinner, desert, cake, open bar, dancing, etc.
Rehearsal dinner: approx $1000 (gifted)
Also a splurge for the best french place in town.
Music $20
We had monster speakers and a large dance hall. I spent this money on itunes, and many hours creating just the right playlists for the ipod. It worked, people danced for 5+ hours!
Church donation: $600
Our service was held at our family church where I grew up, and was extremely special.
Out of pocket total: $10000
We came out right at our budget, and paid cash for our event. The day was so warm and elegant and full of laughter and tears and toasts and good food and dancing: worth absolutely every penny!
We didn't register, since we're trying to pair down, simplify and downsize. Because of that we received cash and some gift cards worth a bit over $15000. We are putting all of it into savings and will use a part of it to pay for our honeymoon over the holidays.
And also:
Now that I've graduated from theknot.com to thenest.com, I've been reading a lot of articles like this one:
8 things noone tells you about marriage - via Redbook
October 20th, 2008 at 07:07 pm 1224529653
October 20th, 2008 at 07:13 pm 1224529984
I did my own makeup, but I'm a total girly girl, so I have a lot of practice. I did practice though, especially with false eyelashes and such.
Invites are so pricey, good job on getting a good deal. Ofcourse I wanted the fancy letterpress ones, but they are insanely expensive, so I designed my own, but it's what I do for a living.
October 20th, 2008 at 07:25 pm 1224530736
Yes, I am shameless that way.
October 20th, 2008 at 08:54 pm 1224536061
October 20th, 2008 at 11:29 pm 1224545359
gamecock43 - That makes total sense for you. Buying it is only a part, knowing how to apply it is very important and you makeup artist will do a great job!