Budget

Saw this on-going thread and thought I'd put this here:

 

For those of you who still have the password to the DIY page of our website still, I just uploaded an excel document that will budget/track/calculate all the purchases for wedding for anyone to download who wants it.

 

...This looks like it will be a very useful tool. Can I have the passoword or could someone (Maria - Mikkistreak) email me the spreadsheet? [email protected]

Honey, your girls must LOVE you! I'm serious! I've always wanted to be IN a destination wedding where the couple paid my travel expenses....no luck thus far.

I would have seriously loved to pay for my girls....but that is such a pipe dream for us that its not even funny. As is, we're planning on about 20 people (I seriously doubt more than that)and we are keeping this whole shindig under 5500K. I'm bound and determined to do this, and so far, it looks good.


My dress I'm getting wholesale for $300 w/free shipping
Hotel wedding package plus add'l flowers/musician $700
photography around $900.
Flights/hotel for 8 nights $2000.
And we're just having a reception dinner which they are willing to section off part of one of the restaurants for our party/guests and give us a waiter. At no extra charge.
Invitations/STD's we're having an acquaintance of mine do these..custom. She is trying to get her business off the ground, and is doing them for just the cost of materials for us. She's incredible, so this isn't even a compromise! Will take about $300 for boarding pass STD's and Message in a Bottle Invitations. Postage will be under $30.

The AHR will be another story, but I'm not ready to deal with that just yet. lol
I'm not counting the expenses for that into my budget for the wedding, because we'll have help with it (of the parental variety..gotta love 'em). My older brother is a professional DJ (cha-ching) and my mom and Aunt have been doing wedding/event decor on the side for YEARS now.

I just got back from my DW at RIU Palace Riviera Maya and here's the total damage:

 

Royal Wedding Package1330

Add flowers for the cake25

Add Mariachi for one hour430

Add Trio Band for one hour330

Add Extra cake20

Add Bridesmaid & Groomsmen Flowers52

Mezzanine Rental Extra 1.5 hours300

Flowers332

Chair Bows28

Extra two guests130

Mexico Trip - Flight and Hotel2406

Mexico Favors319

Chichen Itza ($55 Grayline Tours)406

Bridal Attire919

Bridesmaid Attire & Gifts223

Groom Attire155

Groomsmen Attire & Gifts75

Photographer (includes accommodation)3729

Photographer Las Vegas883

Videographer200

Slideshow Screen Rental48

Decorations, external flowers, seashells, frames, easels, mirrors557

Invitations & Wedding Blog89

Stationery130

Hubby's Vancouver Trip1407

Chinese Banquet2767

Engagement Ring5700

Wedding Ring250

Total 23,057

 

This is for 17 guests. We went all out to make sure they had a good time, and they did. Nicest, intimate, beautiful wedding I've ever been to...my own, lol.

Here is a cut and paste from my budget spread sheet for Nov. 2008 Dreams Los Cabos.

 

I have attached a copy for any of you interested...it is in color...that is the only thing that I like about it...at least it is nice to look at!

 

DESCRIPTIONTOTAL AMOUNT

 

WEDDING PACKAGE $975.00

 

WEDDING WEBSITE $79.00

SAVE THE DATE $200.00

INVITATIONS $200.00

THANK YOU CARDS $100.00

 

PHOTO SESSION $350.00

AIRFARE $800.00

FOOD $500.00

 

BRIDAL LUNCH $240.00

BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS $-

 

FLOWER GIRL DRESSES $175.00

WEDDING DRESS $500.00

VEIL $100.00

DRESS ALTERATIONS $400.00

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES $200.00

HAIR $150.00

SALON $250.00

GROOM'S SUIT $500.00

BRIDES RING $500.00

GROOM'S RING $350.00

 

OUR HOTEL (5 DAYS) $2,315.00

GUEST HOTEL $1,200.00

TRANSPORTATION $65.00

OUR AIRFARE $1,020.00

 

SUB TOTAL AMOUNT $11,169.00

 

 

WELCOME DINNER FOOD $1,250.00

WELCOME DINNER ALCOHOL $-

WELCOME DINNER SCREEN/IPOD $300.00

WELCOME DINNER LOCATION/DÉCOR $-

MORNING AFTER BRUNCH $-

 

WELCOME BAGS $700.00

PARENTS GIFTS $160.00

BRIDE AND GROOM GIFTS $-

 

RECEPTION VENUE AND RENTALS $1,250.00

RECEPTION FOOD $850.00

RECEPTION HOURDOURVES $-

RECEPTION ALCOHOL $-

GUEST BOOK $50.00

TABLE DÉCOR $400.00

CHAMPAGNE TOAST $320.00

DANCE FLOOR $-

CAKE $400.00

VOTIVES FOR AROUND TABLE FLOWERS $64.00

HURRICANES $-

FLOWERS FOR HEAD & SIGN TABLE $-

WEDDING FAVORS $-

$-

LOCATION FEE CEREMONY $1,250.00

ACCESSORIES $60.00

JUDGE & LABORATORY TEST $-

BRIDAL BOUQUET $120.00

BRIDES MAIDS $-

MOMS BOUQUETS $105.00

BOUTONNIERES $54.00

ROSE PETALS $105.00

ARCH FOR THE CEREMONY $-

FLUTE & GUITAR $450.00

SPANISH GUITAR $-

FLOWERS FOR THE BACK OF THE CHAIRS $-

RIBBONS FOR THE CHAIRS $180.00

PHOTOGRAPHER $1,750.00

VIDEOGRAPHER $1,750.00

AUDIO EQUIPMENT RENTALS $-

DJ $1,125.00

LIVE BAND $-

 

CEREMONY TOTAL $12,693.00

TOTAL AMOUNT $23,862.00

TAX 10% $818.30

DEPOSIT $-

AMOUNT DUE $24,680.30

 

 

Budget for Dreams.xls

Wow Twixygrl!! That's a pricey DW but I know it will be fabulous )

Budget? What Budget?? HAHAHA

 

I stopped tracking costs after we realized how much we've spent to date. We figured this is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to get all our closest friends and family, in one place, all at the same time - totally worth it!

I'm with you on that one girl !! LOL
(well I'd like to think so) Every one has a budget they need to stick to and with out a doubt 99% of the time theres always something thats been overlooked, atleast now we have this great site that I'm sure is going to help alot of DW's !

ok ... this is a lot more than i thought ... roughly 40 people

 

 

Travel/Accomodations for FI & I (honeymoon & wedding) - $4400

Dress/Undergarments/Alterations/Shoes - $1200 (great sale)

Photography - Brian Nejedly - $2,000

Flowers/Officiant - $500

Reception (dinner, drinks, entertainment - reggae band) - $3000

Bridesmaid/MOH dresses (my gift to them) - $400

Grooms attire - $300

Hair/Make-up - $300

Invitations - $500

Ceremony Music - TBD

All the stuff i forgot - TBD

 

I think it will be around 15k ... still cheaper than having it at home, I think - and we'll be in the Caribbean for almost 2 weeks!

Travel/Accomodations for FI & I (honeymoon & wedding) - $5200

Dress $450 (Mom bought so not counted in final numbers)

TTD $97

Undergarments TBD

Alterations TBD

Shoes $35 for ceremony / $20 for reception = $55

Photography - Amy Martin $4000

Flowers $400 approx.

Officiant - $400

Reception (cocktails, beach reception, buffett, cake, music)- $3395

BM Gifts - $400

Grooms attire/gifts - $400

Hair/Make-up - TBD

Jewelry - TBD

Invitations - DIY, so only postage and paper (approx $300 for everything designed and mailed)

Ceremony Music - $200 (using iPod/CD's/speakers/mic)

All the stuff i forgot - TBD

Videographer - $450

Separate Room night before wedding - $100

OOT Bags - $300

BD Photos - $150 (FABULOUS deal)

Miscelleanous and stuff I've forgotten to add or haven gotten yet -- TBD

 

$15,847 before adding in the TBD prices. Ouch.

 

I anticipate $18,000. UGH!!!