I know that it is possible! I've seen a few posts of beautiful weddings under $5000 and want to see more! Share your plans/budget/weddings! Thanks.
('Four Weddings' should have a budget limit for contestants.. Spending $25,000+ on a wedding and can't afford a honeymoon... Come on!!)
I'm commenting so I can look back on this - this will be around my budget and I'm very interested to see all the beautiful "budget" weddings!
We are doing ours for £5k which I understand is more, however a lot of actual items exchange price directly for example a $200 bridesmaid dress will often cost £200 (and I have to pay for bloody things!)
Our breakdown of spending is:
£600 for the church service (CofE traditional with bells and an organ)
£500 for a Devonshire High tea for 66 people
£700 for a hogroast (includes caterer, baps, stuffing, sauce, disposable cuttlery and serving gazebo)
£250 for the bar front, and then my parents will put some money behind the bar
£800 for tables, chairs, cuttlery, crockery, I said they were for "my function" instead of wedding so that they didnt bump the price
£500 for photographer, good friend=mates rates
Anything extra we will be spending on extra decorations, extra food and that sort of ilk.
And the extras...
Our Venue= the barn and stables in the in-laws back garden, we are borrowing hay bales of the neighbour to decorate and use as outdoor seating
My dress was a gift from my parents
As my sister is a bridesmaid and my other bridesmaid is close to my mum, mum is also paying for their dresses (traditionally the bride does in this country)
Our wedding car is a gift from FIs friend
I've bought some firm silk tulle and I'm making my own veil. Good quality material so it did cost about £70, however new a real silk cathedral veil is like £400
Our table clothes I bought as a roll of material and a roll of hessian, saved a fotune, loads left over for decor
I used to be a craft teacher, so I have made a TONNE of stuff for this and saved a fortune. This is also a good time of year to look online for sale bargains that can be used as decorations. THe other thing is I'm having a fairly long engagement, so I'm picking things up as I go along!
I found this site a while ago. Worth a read. I book marked it. I plan a small, intimate, cheap wedding also
http://2000dollarwedding.com/2008/07/from-conception-to-reception.html
Well I can come back and post actual photos in about 7 months (eeK!) but we're only spending $3,000 (Hopefully less!)Here's a breakdown. I should note we've been VERY blessed with amazing friends which has helped us save a huge amount of money.
Venue: $100
We are getting married on a city-owned beach and will be having the reception in the picnic shelter that overlooks the water. 4 hours of rental=$100*
Photographer: $350
Two of my close friends are professional photographers (one of them is going to be my bridesmaid, too!) and the one who is in the wedding will be playing "bridesmaid" during all of the important parts of the wedding and will be in a dress like the other girls, but will be helping take pictures whenever she wants. I left that at her discretion.
My other friend is a former client of mine and she is traveling from Idaho to come and shoot our wedding on the Oregon coast. I am giving her $350 for travel/lodging expenses, but besides that she is not charging me a dime.
Florist: $450
I was originally dead-set on DIYing the flower portion of the wedding, but after consideration and discussion with FI I decided that it would be just one more stress that I didn't want to deal with. I looked around and was having a hard time finding a florist in the city, so I looked closer to our venue (which is 3 hours away) and I came across a photographer's blog who had a florists name listed from a wedding that was posted.
Just a little small town lady who does flowers out of sheer passion and has a home-office. I am getting 5 bridesmaids bouquets, my bouquet, FI's bout, FMIL's corsage, all ceremony decor and all reception decor (whatever I want, to my heart's content) for $450.
Hair/MUA- $650
My hair and makeup was one thing that I really splurged on. I was having a hard time finding someone (well, ANY vendor for that matter) near our venue on the coast that had a hair and makeup artist that I really could put my trust into. I wound up finding a very sweet gal up here in the Portland area that was willing to travel (for a fee, of course) and whose work I LOVED! When another MUA screwed me over on my trial day, I called Bri in tears and she quickly said she would take me that night and give me exactly what I wanted. She definitely did.
I'm paying her $675 including travel for my hair and makeup, as well as one of my MOH's hair and makeup (who is paying for it herself). That was a good chunk of my budget, but she's TOTALLY worth it.
Dress- $1150 (paid $200)
My dress was actually a sample and was discounted 68% down to $1150, but FI's aunt offered to pay up to $1k of it, so I only wound up paying $200 for her!
Rentals-$200
We are getting 8 tables, 16 linens, and 45 chairs including travel with pick-up and drop off for $200
Miscellanious other stuff
I'm paying for 3 of my 5 bridesmaids' dresses (the only way they were going to be able to attend the wedding), and I still have to buy some decor. But I'm guessing I'll only spend about $500 or so on all of that. :)
GRAND TOTAL (With the "Miscellanious) $2350
My wedding was about $3500 but we had only two guests.
Not sure if you want to see that or not.
@sienna76: are you out of your mind, of course we want to see!
I'm a horrible wedding planner because I didn't keep up with how much we spent! But I do know that it was probably around $5000 or a little less. Church and venue were free and we didn't have a DJ or a professional photographer, so we just had to spend money on attire, decor, food, favors, and things like that. It was a very beautiful wedding, and people were shocked that we didn't spend a lot, but we all had to put in a lot of effort. For instance, I made my veil, flower girl basket, ring bearer book, all the bouquets, and centerpieces. Luckily, I had a lot of help!
@Lily_of_the_valley: LOL! I wasn't sure if it was relevant since most people want to host for 50 or more! But here's my costs for just the wedding related things.
H's wedding band $350 - I had an old ring that I was never going to wear again, so we turned it into the origianal store and they took the entire value of my old ring off H's band. $700 went to $350! I did not want a wedding band. My e-ring is very wide, so we used that for the ceremony.
My Attire $701 - that's for my gown (50% off lace Casablanca at a sample sale), my slip/bra, shoes, jewelry, hair flower
H's Attire $306- this is for H's suit (Kohls Mark Anthony collection), shirt, tie
Wedding Photography $1260 - this is for 3 hours of wedding photography. Includes all the edited photos.
Ceremony $206 - marriage commissioner in Canada, her travel fee, and marriage license paperwork
Details $550 - we booked an elopement package at a lodge in one of Canada's national parks. It included some meals, wedding stuff and lodging, but after I removed the lodging costs, $550 was for my bouquet, H's boutonniere, three course wedding dinner for four, handmade single tier wedding cake, champagne, two breakfasts, arranging the commissioner, engraved toasting flutes, and someone to plan it all. The planner took my photos of cakes and bouquets I liked and made it happen. I think it was a deal!
Hair/MU free - I did it myself. The lodge is kind of remote so there wasn't really anyone nearby unless I wnated to pay their $200-300 travel fee on top of fees. Some photos it all turned out fine, but there was some wind and a mini squall, so I'm glad I didn't pay to get my hair done!
TOTAL $3373
Here are links to some photos and more photos.
I'll hopefully be able to post here in the next year! Our budget is $6000, but right now we're only sitting at around $3500.
@ohulani: I've always thought the same thing!! Especially when theres people on there who have spent 100K or more. You really cant dish out a couple thousand more after spending that much already? Riiiiiight.
Commenting to bookmark :) Looking forward to all the lovely weddings on this thread!
@dewingedpixie: It's getting paid for with my design work. :) We're having a dessert reception! The woman was originally going to just do our cake, but she's offered to pretty much do EVERYTHING. Cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc etc etc.
This website posts real weddings that are categorized by budget.
http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/categorybudget-savvy-wedding-of-the-week/wedding-budgets/
I am bookmarking this page as well. Our budget is $8,000 for 200 people! Wedding is April 27, 2013. I know that's more than $5k so I don't know if you want to see...
@j9marie: Thanks, I'll check it out!
@creativeplannertobee: Thanks for the pictures. Love the colors!
techincally mine is 5220. (not counting hair, makeup, rings or cake, as this are small expenses I can afford out of pocket and not out of the big budget..)
So far, for 25 people, includes cocktail hour, and passed hors de vours, with a fruit/cheese/veggie platter, open bar (4 hours),ceremony, and sit down dinner w/choice of two entrees, a salad, and cutting/embelishment of the cake, and our honeymoon suite... is 3,750
That is if all 25 people show up, if not than less...
quartet 500
photography 720
centerpeices 250
still working on the quotes for the flowers, and what the florist will do. It may cost me closer to six when alls said and done...
@j9marie: I looked at a random wedding on that site for $5k. It didn't mention how much photography cost, which doesn't make any sense. The photographer alone was probably a couple thousand.
Our budget was $5k for around 70 people, and in the mid-Atlantic no less:
Venue was a state park. $350 total for a nice cabin with a view for 2 whole days.
Gown was bought on eBay for $50 shipped. Shoes also at Goodwill for $8. Veil from craft store with coupon $8.
Tuxedo found at Goodwill for about $40 total. Shoes were dress shoes he already owned.
Food made partly by family members, partly bought by warehouse and ethnic food stores. Bought plates, napkins, linens etc from warehouse store. Cake made by my talented mother. I think it totalled to around $600 for all of it, max $1000.
Photography = family friend $700
Videographer = $900
Rings = matching platinum bands on $250 on eBay (my e-ring was also an eBay find my DH had custom made for a steal)
Flowers = less than $600 through warehouse store + bouquet, toss bouquet and boutonniere from a flowershop
Decor from several craft stores with coupons and teapots for centerpieces from Goodwill. ?$400 total.
So the splurges were on food, photography and video. Had to have video because my family is mostly abroad and I wanted them to see something. And I'll not lie. It's wonderful watching the wedding video over and over again. Totally captures those little moments you couldn't get from photos alone. <3 We also went on a mini-moon to save money for our future house-- which we'll hopefully close on in less than 9 days. Yay! My advice to those on a budet: time is your friend! Buy things off season (eg, around the holidays when no one else is wedding shopping). And don't be afraid to get creative to save costs. It can be stressful, but totally worth it for your personal touches.
If anyone wants to see photos, I put together a little album online. Just PM me!
('Four Weddings' should have a budget limit for contestants.. Spending $25,000+ on a wedding and can't afford a honeymoon... Come on!!)
Thank you! Some girl was on there this week that spent around 160k (her fiance's vows included "we may be living in a car after this wedding") and she wanted to win a honeymoon?
Anyway, I'm planning on spending about $5,000 on my wedding. I'm cheap for something that will only last one day!
I'm hoping to stick within a $5000 budget as well, but I'm just starting to plan! Commenting to bookmark this thread.. I hope we get lots of replies!
@PacificMrs: Can I ask what you are spending on food?? This is my biggest expense... My wedding is not in the 5,000 range (12,00-) but I was reading this post because I was curious how you Bee's are doing it for so cheap! There was no way we could have but we have 150 guests and food alone is 6,000 so exactly half of what we are spending!
We got married in October, and our wedding was more perfect than we had ever imagined. In total, about $6.5K was spent; however, because family wanted to pitch in and help, DH and I only paid $4.5K of that. I realize $6.5K is over the amount listed in this post, but I figured I'd do a breakdown either way, and post some photos. Hope this is helpful!
Venue: $600 (Rehersal Dinner and Wedding)
Photographer: $500 (6hrs. of wedding photograpy and an anniversary session)
Dress: $750 (Designed and made by a local designer/seamstress)
Florals: $650 (Bridal Bouquet, MOH Bouquet, Groom's Boutonierre, Best Man's Boutonierre, Petals for Flower Girl, 7 Centerpieces, Aisle Decor)
Decor: $1200 (Some items were collected and made by myself and family members, and others were rented through a vintage rental company.)
Food: $1300 (Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding - Salad Station, Pasta Station and Meat Station)
Cake and Desserts: $150 (Wedding Cake, Mini Apple and Pumpkin Pies, Cheesecake and Carrot Cake Cupcakes)
Favors: $175 (White Porcelain Pumpkins filled with candy for 35 guests)
Hair and Make-up: $400 (Bride, MOH, Flower Girl, MIL)
Groom's Attire: $250
Shoes: $40 (Via Etsy)
Invitations: $250 (Via Etsy)
Guestbook "B": $70 (Via Etsy)
@starcatcher09: Yes, it's pretty ridiculous! I'm pretty sure I can keep our wedding under $5k... Anything more and that would be crazy :)
@pfinarffle: I may have to splurge on a videographer! Photo/video and food/drink will most likely be our biggest expense.
@smcopp89: I love your wedding! I think I've seen your recap, love the venue, decor.. and your dress is beautiful :)
@Brooklyn55: We are not spending anything on food. The woman who was originally just going to do our cake offered to do everything from cake to cookies in trade for my design work. She also has a farm and will be providing us with fruit.
@Artificial-Sweetener: The food portion is listed above, but we are not having a DJ. We are having an iPod that will be hooked up to battery-powered speakers that we already own. My MOH's hubby will do announcements, but since it's just a Sunday afternoon wedding we aren't doing a lot of dancing. Just our first dance and then background music.
Our Wedding was just below $5,000
Cake - $290
Venue -$1146
DJ - $250
Bride - $871
Photography - $800
Decoration -$800
Groom - $300
Table Numbers/ Seating Chart- $34
Jenga Guest Book - $20
Invitations - $126
Favors - $117
@smcopp89: oh my gosh... your wedding was adorable! I can't believe that photography only cost you $500!!!! Stunning photos and I love your venue & all your details. CONGRATS!!!
I think we will come in between $3000-$4000...so far:
dress: $160 .......shoes: $30......tiara: $70....jewellery $100
2 flower girls dresses: $100
tux rental: I am guessing around $150
Hall rental (includes tables chairs cutlery glasses plates etc): $400
Cash Bar to be run by local Lions Club: cost of liquor licence and insurance only:approx $200
Rentals of nice linens & lit backdrop:$300
DJ laser light: $60
Live band: Free
Other music: free as using ipod etc
Food: not sure but family helping us do it ourselves:under $1000 for sure
Cupcakes: friend making them so cost only
Wine with dinner: $80 - we make our own and it is excellent!
Justice of the Peace: friend doing as a gift to us but will tip her $100 as she is travelling
Ceremony: in our front garden so free
Photos/hair/makeup:$425
Hotel room for wedding night: $140
Ring bearer: my dog: newfancy leash & collar: $40
The rest will go on a few decorations & whatever else I have forgotten!
My ring: using my engagement ring as it is wide and fancy enough already
his ring: under $200
@Khalessi3: Aww... thanks so much!
@KimmySumShuga: Thank you! :) Our photographer was someone I used to work with. She is a teacher who does photography on the side, and she's super talented. We can't wait to do an anniversary session!
We are at $5000 hopefully less. Thanks to wonderful friends. This is a budget for 115 people :/
$150 for the ceremony space (FI parents paid the other 150 for a christmas gift)
$600 for food (have a caterer friend who is just charging for cost of food)
$300 for photographer (friend pro photog but we are paying her transportation and hotel stay)
$200 for chair rentals
$600 DIY misc items (I'm also making the bridesmaids dresses etc)
$65 tux rental (FI has a friend who owns wedding rental company and is giving us super low discounts)
$275 videographer
$200 wedding party gifts and DIY guest favors
$12 photo book for guest book
Total so far: $2,402
But I haven't priced alterations and am still waiting on FI to pick out his wedding band
Free wedding things from wonderful friends and family :) :
Dress (mom bought this for me)
Alcohol (mom is also buying this for me)
Linen (table cloths, napkins etc) friend is providing
Reception space (friend is letting me use her reception space at her job free)
Honeymoon (FIs parents paid for this as a wedding gift)
Invitations (FIs Uncle is printing these for us)
Wedding cake (FI grandmother is buying us one as a wedding gift)
Grooms cake (FIs parents are buying this for him)
Hair and Makeup (I'm of course doing this :) Beauty obsessed as I am)
Bartender free (my cousin is a bartender)
Band and ceremony music free (great thing about getting married to a musician, he's in a great band)
I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out. It really helps when you have wonderful friends and family
@smcopp89: Thats so awesome! I love when friend-ors are amazing! It makes it so much more personal and intimate and now you can recommend her services and help her business as well. Great find!
@KimmySumShuga: Yes, I agree! I've already given her name to a couple of friends, who are getting married or doing vow renewals. Also, we had a friend DJ and my grandfather was our officiant. Wouldn't have had it any other way!
@smcopp89: awe! Thats so wonderful! You should submit your wedding to Style Me Pretty as a fabulous budget bride wedding! Seriously, I'm amazed and I know other girls would be too!
@KimmySumShuga: Aww... Thank you! That's such a wonderful compliment! Maybe I will do so soon! :)
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