How much is your wedding costing you?

[EVKnowsitall]

Originally Posted by Sehausle 

 

I guess for me 50K could be spent on a house, or a new car, finishing my masters student loan payments, prepping for a family...but by all means if you have the cash and you dreamed of a big wedding then go for it! We had friends who spent well over this at home, and yes it was a gorgeous wedding but flatly for us it wouldn't be the smartest use of our money.

 

We decided to buy a new SLR camera this weekend. I think I mentioned before we have two friends who went to school for photography coming...so we decided to (gulp) forgo getting a professional photographer (which I have agonized over) and supplement the resort photographer with photos from my two friends. They'll be able to use our camera and not feel that they need to lug their expensive equipment (though they may choose to do so if they would like). I figure it's something we will have forever and hopefully it will make me feel a bit less nervous about relying completely on the resort photographer. We also had beautiful engagement photos done prior, so we will ultimately end up with lots of pictures.

 

AWWWW you're getting married at Dreams Tulum! That was my first choice for our wedding until we moved to DR instead of Mexico- a move I regret because we did it for others and not ourselves. I can't wait to see your pictures. I think Dreams Tulum is absolutely gorgeous. Good luck with everything!

[Mrsoats]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspfafftobe 
 

Here is a breakout of our budget. We also took a honeymoon in Punta Cana which we paid for with a honeymoon registry and cash gifts from the wedding (about $5,000 total).  This includes absolutely EVERYTHING we bought or paid for from day 1 - we literally saved every receipt and it's all included here. For reference, we had about 60 people and the wedding was not at an all inclusive resort. 

 

All in all, it was money well spent. We had a lovely wedding, much nicer than the money would have got us in Boston where we live. My one budget "regret" is the photographer, which is funny because in the beginning it was the ONE thing I wouldn't budge on and decided to splurge on. We hired the "best of the best" and our pictures were very good, but I think we could have gotten almost as good for a fraction of the cost. There are a LOT of good photographers in the Rivera Maya, so do your research and don't necessarily get sucked in by the big names. 

 

We originally wanted to have an AHR but we just couldn't afford it after how much our DW ended up costing. Almost everyone we really wanted to celebrate with was able to make the trip, so we didn't really see the need to have another party. Plus, I just don't think I could have taken on planning another reception. One was already too much. Maybe it's just me but I thought wedding planning was SO stressful! 

 

Paper goods (Invitations, Calligraphy, etc.)	2,478.44
Dress/Attire/Wedding Bands	6,332.33
Ceremony/Reception (Food and Decor)	22,580.32
Photos/Video	6,200.00
Flowers	3,068.00
Gifts (Welcome Bags, Wedding Party and Family)	3,166.79
Travel (Including Site Visit)	7,616.93
Other	1,079.19
Total	52,522.00

 

Out of curiosity which big name photographers did you use?

[Sehausle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 
 

AWWWW you're getting married at Dreams Tulum! That was my first choice for our wedding until we moved to DR instead of Mexico- a move I regret because we did it for others and not ourselves. I can't wait to see your pictures. I think Dreams Tulum is absolutely gorgeous. Good luck with everything!

Thanks! I am so excited ...40 days to go! I will definitely post photos. I hope Dreams is as nice as it looks online : )

[RachelHolmes21]

I am ****hoping****** it won't cost more than 5k total. That does not include our flights or stay. That is another 3k. That is with around 50 guests. Cross your fingers!

[traylynn]

Holy Batman these budgets make me not wanna have a destination wedding.  I keep saying lets go to the court house and he wants a big wedding.

[MrsTobeD]

Here is to crossing my fingers to you, specially being that you are a Palace bride. That is what I thought before my site visit, came back and it was up to 10K, another event happened and it went to $15 and as of right now, I have no idea how much is going to be. 

 

Most of us go into planning a destination wedding thinking is going to be cheap, specially when having 50 ppl. very hard to keep it that way. 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachelHolmes21 

I am ****hoping****** it won't cost more than 5k total. That does not include our flights or stay. That is another 3k. That is with around 50 guests. Cross your fingers!

[RachelHolmes21]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsTobeD

How many room nights will you have? I am hoping get most of the "free" events by booking at least 75 room nights and i am not adding in a DJ (that cost is just insane we will go next door to senor frogs). I am also contemplating bringing my own linens, and using an outside florist. I dont really plan on using any other the resorts "rented" items that cost a fortune.

[shan0487]

Rachel I went the route you are hoping for- I spent $220 for the ipod hookup, $500 on bridal and bridesmaids flowers with Mayal Floral and probably $100-150 on decorations that I brought and made myself.  I had the 75+ room nights so my cocktail hour and reception were free!!!!   I did fly down my own photographer but that cost me about $2000 and I had her and her assistant for 3 day so she shot the reheresal dinner, a TTD and the wedding and reception!!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachelHolmes21 
 

How many room nights will you have? I am hoping get most of the "free" events by booking at least 75 room nights and i am not adding in a DJ (that cost is just insane we will go next door to senor frogs). I am also contemplating bringing my own linens, and using an outside florist. I dont really plan on using any other the resorts "rented" items that cost a fortune.

[MrsTobeD]

I am planning on having 50-60 guest.

I am having a DJ since I want to have a reception at the resort and I don't think an iPod will work for that many people, the photographer and video was like a 35% of the budget. You can use the resort linens free if you keep the white and I just bought a bunch of linen for my engagement party, be aware they are HEAVY! a box with 16 was about 50 pounds. 

 

I also think outside florist is the way to go as long as they don't come inside the resort to do the set up (outside vendor fee), but I also found out that flowers in MX are more expensive in general than here in US, even if you are using a non resort vendor. 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachelHolmes21 
 

How many room nights will you have? I am hoping get most of the "free" events by booking at least 75 room nights and i am not adding in a DJ (that cost is just insane we will go next door to senor frogs). I am also contemplating bringing my own linens, and using an outside florist. I dont really plan on using any other the resorts "rented" items that cost a fortune.

[MrsTobeD]

Marvin have gotten quite expensive!! Still cheaper than the resort but more expensive than he was a year ago. 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by shan0487