Typical Budget?

AnnR · 11-07-2006, 02:02 PM

I realize that this may be a tad "rude" - but if I can't ask on this forum, where can I ask?!

I think I had a misguided idea of what the typical budget for a DW should be (I underestimated!). I want to make sure I am not way off base with the numbers I am coming across in my planning! Also, I am not very good at coming up with an initial budget, so this may help give me, and others, some idea of what to expect.

Can I ask everyone what their budget is, or rather, what they ended up/will end up spending? I am looking for what it will cost for the wedding/ceremoney itself (and everything that goes into it like decorations, invites, officiant, etc.), reception, rehearsal/welcome dinner, travel costs, hotel fees, etc. What I don't want to include is the cost for your guests to stay, and their travel expenses.

NABUMBAH · 11-07-2006, 02:06 PM

Mine is definitely *up there* in comparison to other brides on this forum, but we're having a larger number of guests, and have done some other expensive things, like bringing our own photographer from the US.

There is another thread on budget somewhere. You may want to look for that.

TammyB · 11-07-2006, 02:06 PM

I think there is a tread on budget already.. However I wanted to comment, when FI and I started looking at getting married in Cabo we noticed on a website that it said $240.00 for judge fees to be married. so we thought wow, lets do that have a simple wedding on the beach just the two of us.. Yeah now were up to $12000.00 for this wedding. A far cry from what we "thought" it would cost.

Christa · 11-07-2006, 02:08 PM

Ann,

Check out the budget thread Budget

AnnR · 11-07-2006, 02:08 PM

Too funny. That's kind of why I was asking. I had initially seen these articles in magazines about these "package" weddings for less than $2,000. I was like "wow, that's great!" What they don't talk about is the dinner(s), the week of hotel costs, any decorations, additional photography, or other entertainment for the week.

AnnR · 11-07-2006, 02:09 PM

Thanks, I had tried to find something about budget. Guess I didn't look hard enough!

Christa · 11-07-2006, 02:14 PM

I voted for my budget being between $10K and 15K. I will say, if I roll in our travel & accomodations & my dress, then we're looking more like $20K. We are expecting approx 40 guests. So, obviously the budget will adjust once we know exactly how many will attend. Yeah, it's not cheap!

Sarah · 11-07-2006, 02:20 PM

Ann, I voted $10-15k. We're still far away from having final numbers, but this should include stationery, decor, welcome dinner & reception, flowers, our travel (not guests), and the extras (not sure what those will be yet). I'll update when we have a firmer number...

Jackie · 11-07-2006, 04:21 PM

Ann, I voted 15 - 20 k. But this includes my honeymoon wich is around 4000.00 itself. And I also have to pay for my sisters travel expenses witch will be another 3000.00 or so. So without those two added on expenses I am under 15 k.

At the end of the day though, it would cost us (to have a classy wedding) at least 25000.00 if not more to have a wedding on Cape Cod, and this is without the honeymoon. With the Destination wedding for 20 k. We are getting 3 weeks in Mexico (including site visit) and a week long wedding celebration to boot. I cant believe more people dont go this route. To me there is not even a choice in the matter...I'd pick DW any day over an overly expansive few hours at home wedding.

AnnR · 11-07-2006, 04:26 PM

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)