What is/was your budget for your wedding?

CompBunny

GlamGirlie wrote: »

I'm definitely no "expert" when it comes to money saving, but I do what I can, where I can, in order that we can afford the nicer things in other parts of life!

Our wedding (excluding honeymoon) is coming in at the moment in the region of £18k. But we haven't had a holiday since September last year in order to save, and we have limited our eating out to once a month.

Just because someone is a keen MSE'er, even a prolific one, doesn't mean they don't have the money to spend on the things that matter to them!

I would rather save money in some areas and spend it on others. Other people would do the opposite.

So it's down to individuality, really!

I quite agree with you, hope I made that clear in my subsequent posts Just couldn't figure out how to add extra options to the poll x

minniemaus1970

I have just gone down 'the aisle' for a second and last time and this time we werere just having an informal vintage/rustic do.

the registry office was late afternoon, our children were witnesses, no best man, no head bridesmaid, just an 'Announcer'

followed by proffesional photographs (£300) and evening do with Singer/ Disco and Posh Buffett

My dress I bought from a wedding shop that was closing down and it was the showroom model £50 (£500 originally) it was a little tight so I changed the zip to corset loops and lace and made a silk modesty panel
(it will be dry cleaned again and sold soon, so could be classed as free!)
shoes 'borrowed' of daughter, birdcage-Veil, -£5 made it myself (to be sold), his suit - already had a Gucci suit so I just got him Ivory Waist coat, tie , cufflings and hanky £40 -to match my dress
Ivites & Envelopes and thank you cards - 'golden tickets' printed and designed myself - £5 , incl a ream of A4 Gold card
Posh Buffett - £550 for a hundred people (had help of friends)
Weddingsinger/ disco - £150
venue for up to 120 people - £80 incl tablecloths
silk flowers and buttonholes - £10 (again home made) will be sold after
decorations - £15 , incl balloons, Table decs and flowers all sourced locally and arranged myself
3 tier 'naked wedding Cake' & decoration - again doing it myself £10 (baker wanted a £200!)

Cakestand - free

our honeymoon is to Vegas and cost £1700 for both us , spending money is not included

We had an absolute great time designing planning and doing it, my daughters enjoyed doin arty-farty stuff with their mum, and I loved having a bespoke no stress rustic old fashioned wedding.

Everyone had a great laugh and dance on the evening and out of everyone invited only 4 cancelled cause they were on holiday
I think it helped being a smart casual do, and not being tooooo formal

my first wedding was traditional and VERY expensive, didn't enjoy it at all

I was really stressed about having the 'perfect day'

this time all I wanted was to spend time with people I cared about have a drink , a dance and laugh and enjoy their company, it was tailored and personal to me and him, not manufactured and dictated by media, no colourscheme, no favours, no bridesmaid dresses or groomsmen suits
I finally got my perfect day, for £1500 ish (HM not icnl)

MM

cazziebo

Our wedding will cost around £4k - venue, 30 guests, catering (including drinks), dress, transport,

However, we are getting married in Florida and paying for 7 family members to travel, stay, Disney passes, etc but we see that as a holiday of a lifetime with a wedding thrown in. Altogether the cost will be in the region of £15k.

Sazzarella

We only wanted to spend 10k but dang everything is expensive. Budget is sitting at 11k so far but that's assuming the things I haven't sorted yet (dress/food/band etc) come in at the top.

angel11

Ours in coming in at £14-15k, more than I had planned, but I don't think I really had realistic idea of what things actually cost!

Our venue alone is costing £8k ish, but for that we are having civil ceremony & reception, fully dressed, 3 course meal & drinks for 120 guests, BBQ for 50 close family & friends, & 2 nites start in the most gorgeous old major house for myself & oh. The venue is totally stunning, I fell in love with it online before even viewing it, so don't really mind paying that much for it.

themull1

First wedding cost under £500 in 1991, second wedding cost £4000 in 2009, third wedding is costing approx £5000 in December, dress £75 instead of £1500, venue, hotel £3500, three course wedding meal, canapes, drinks for 50, buffet for 100. Live band £300, registrar £380, registrar deposit £95, flowers £200 ish, rings second hand both under £200, and its definitely the final time.!

Tea_Hee_23

Wedding Cost Breakdown - My top 10 expenses;

1) Honeymoon £2,500
2) Catering (wedding breakfast, evening food, canap!s, drinks) £1,790
3) Venue (church, civil ceremony location, reception) £2,164
4) Rings (wedding and engagement ring) £2,456
5) Wedding dress £1,098
6) Photographer £400
7) Flowers, balloons & decorations & cake £600
8) Entertainment (live band, DJ, photo booth) £900
9) Groom and groomsmen's outfits £674
10) Bridesmaids (shoes, dress, make up, hair, accessories) £582

At the time of planning I let the excitement get to me, which meant the budget kept on changing.

My top tip is to carry out a lot of research then make strict allowances for each cost centre. Since my wedding (now reached my 4th anniversary) I planned out what I could have save by making a few changes - it would have represented a 35% total cost saving.

lisajane8482

We spent a total of around £5,745 on our day and it was absolutely perfect.

Our breakdown:

Food and Drink (2x meals, Cava toast and wine on table + corkage): £1720
Transportation (3 x Bridal cars and Coach): £630
Ceremony (Booking fee, notice and ceremony): £510
Bride (dress, make up etc): £480
Bridesmaids (7 x dress, jewellery and 6 x hair): £415
Photography (Disk, photo story DVD and album): £400
Gifts:£375
Groomsmen (Father of bride, best man & 3 x usher Suits, socks and cufflinks): £285
Cake (make Sponge & decorate and Ice fruit cake made by family): £245
Flowers (1 large bouquet, 4 small bouquets, 3 wands, 4 corsages, 8 button holes and 40 Guests button holes): £145
Decorations: £135
DJ: £120
Stationary: £100
Groom (suit, cufflinks & Socks): £80
Rings:£85