Budget

Our initial budget was $8-10K, but now we are looking at trying to stay under $12K. I still have a lot of things to buy and I have a feeling we are going to go over that number, but I'm hoping we won't.

Ok I'm trying to get a better understanding of how this works. If I take the "free" wedding package that I"m posting below. What other outside costs should I expect?? I guess I thought all food was included..so for a dinner can't we just all go out to eat together There will probably be over 20 guests but who cares if they get a piece of cake they can get as much dessert as they want in the restaurant. We are having an at home reception so I guess I"m not too worried about spending a lot in Mexico. But I know I will need to get some things just curious as to the hidden costs I might want to consider...let me know what to expect.

VALENTIN’S COMPLIMENTARY WEDDING PACKAGE

Reservation at the Valentin Imperial Maya, for a minimum 7-night stay or a booking of more than 5 rooms for a minimum of 4 nights at any category is required to receive this complimentary package.

This complimentary package includes:

All document arrangements

Judge or Minister

Pre-arrival concierge service by your wedding coordinator

Choice of wedding ceremony location: Magnificent Chapel, Romantic Gazebo or on the Beach

Bridal Bouquet

Groom's boutonniere

Wedding arrangments by our wedding coordinator

Press service of the wedding dress and groom's tuxedo/suit

Complimentary room for the groom the night before the wedding (based on availability)

Wedding cake

Natural floral arrangement

Romantic Champagne breakfast in bed the first morning after the wedding

Late check out until 3:00 p.m. for Bride & Groom (upon request and availability)

Rose petals as décor in the room

Welcome letter

Bottle of domestic Champagne for the toast

Romantic dinner in one of our Specialties Restaurants (Bride & Groom)

Honeymoon turn-down service

15% discount on all “The Spa†treatments

its amazing how much more you can get at a destination wedding and how much cooler it can be then here in the states....

So..... Here goes, (I'll list my budget in pounds so I suppose you can double it for dollars)

2 weeks AI Holiday/honeymoon/accomodation & flights etc for both of us £3060

Dreams Ultimate wedding package (which includes 20 guests) £1395

Blood tests per couple £170

Translation of both birth cirtificates £56

Validation & cirtification of marriage licence £93

Sound system for ceremony £101

Additional 20 people for cocktail hr £285

Additional 20 people for reception dinner £545

Sound system for reception for 3 hrs £304 (may be able to save money here if we take our own sound system)

4 x bridesmaids bouquets £137

Gazibo deco £143

Chair bows for 40 guests £85

Hair up for 4 bridesmaids £71 (we may decide to do this ourselves)

7 bottles of champagne for toast £144

TOTAL SO FAR £6690 = $13'045

These items below I don't count in the budget -

wedding dress - £1350 (parents paying for)

Bridesmaids are paying for their own dresse (although I would like to contribute if I can)

Hand held raffia fans £30 (not ordered yet)

invitations £20 (which a friend of mine has kindly made)

wedding bands £ 400 MAX (we don't personally feel the need to spend a huge amont on this)

Bridal shoes £200

Bridal under ware £150

veil £100

Then there is the bridesmaids gifts and spending money for holiday blah blah blah.....

I would like to keep the budget under £7'000 / $13'650 if we can, this would be amaizing as we went to a family wedding last year that cost £25'000 / $48'750 just for the one day !! we'll see .....

Yay..just noticed I am no longer a noob after the last post..junior member status..WHOO HOO!!

Here are my final numbers:

At the request of my husband, he asked me to remove this post...

!!!!!

We've not booked vendors yet, but are fully expecting to shell out about $17,000 USD for the whole shebang (that incl. rings, travel, hotel, wedding, activities...the whole kit & kaboodle).

We tried to plan a wedding San Diego, CA AND then Sedona, AZ before we decided to go DW. We just could not get under $25K unless we went to Mexico.

I think a wedding + one week in an AI with all our friends/fam for less than what we'd pay for ONE DAY in the states is fantastic. I can't wait!!!!