(Closed) Under, Over or On Budget?

• MyFavorite
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: June 2009

We’re under right now, but we haven’t figured out cost for the reception (food), linen rental, fabric for decor, or flowers.  I have some decisions to make soon!

• lilneko69
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: December 1969

We were pretty over budget too, but we really wanted to have a NYC wedding because so many friends and family were flying from all over the world to help us celebrate.

I was in super planning/budgeting mode and had a big excel file with tabs for every vendor, calculating down to the dollar. AFTER the wedding, DH said he knew we had set a certain budget, but in his mind, he knew we would go over. So actually he had talked me into setting a budget about 15% lower than that number he had in mind.

::sigh:: I guess he DOES know me really well!

• MsB
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: December 2008

I created a spreadsheet with an itemized list of all of my wedding expenses and found it really helpful for staying on budget. When I managed to find a deal in one area I was able to add the extra I had budgeted into another (usually alcohol!). In the end I ended up being about $1,000 over budget which I thought was pretty good considering everything that comes up when you are planning a wedding!

I have to thank weddingbee for helping me stay within this budget – with awesome tips and ideas as well as the classifieds – which saved me sooooo much money. Not being ashamed of having 2nd hand things saved me thousands of dollars and no one knew the difference (except me!)

• Erindesmar
• 12 years ago

I said "a little over" but I guess it depends what your definition of "a little" is!

• andreaandchinelo
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: September 2009

yeah I also said "a little over" but it depends on what the definition of "a little" is…My Fiance budget was way unrealistic for the amt of family we both had so I originally set one that was more towards an actual budget that we could agree on…well we went over that budget but we still managed to keep it within reason (we are going to be about 4500 over budget after all deposits are paid)

• tatrifon
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: February 2010

I haven’t gone over…  But that’s also because I keep growing the budget … oops!  😛

• grumpybear722
• 12 years ago

We’ve almost doubled our budget even with DIY and cutting back on A LOT of stuff. I didn’t expect food to be so much but I’ve done the math for everyone we’ve invited coming and I know that’s not going to be the case.
We’re spending quite a bit (in our opinion) on this one day, and Fiance said something about it last night and I said "You wanted me to be happy and I’m not happy to spend all this money but we’re NOT cutting back now!" LOL Besides we’ve got almost all of our vendors booked so we CAN’T back out now! LMAO
I’m thinking of DIY-ing more, but don’t know what I can do. 🙁 Thankfully I have the ‘Bee to turn to! I can’t tell you how much this site has opened my eyes in terms of the cost of a wedding and how much you CAN save if you want to, and try hard! LOL

• 808bride
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: October 2000

I’m super good at budgeting and were blessed with gifts. But  I  forgot some things like TAX and Tip.  It’s still early in the planning process. I don’t  want to commit family to too much b/c whenever I do, they tack on 5 more guests! Too  bad  Dad’s donation is  going to my down payment of  the house instead.

• Mrs. Sushi
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: March 2009 - Byodo-In Temple, Luau Reception

I’ve been pretty good on staying on budget (or good on estimating what it would cost). I was hoping to be a lil’ under, but we’re pretty right on. Can’t complain about that. I could have easily went over, but I’m glad I was able to sustain. hehe.

• LatteLove
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: June 2009

Hmm, I don’t know yet!  We did increase our budget about 2 months into planning…but I’m hoping to be right on from here on out!

• Mrs. Spring
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: May 2009

With about a month and a half left, we’re under!  At one point, we had to look for a new caterer, which actually cut that cost in half.  Our stationary, attire, and decorations were way under budget, too.  Also, we decided about a month ago that we’d like to buy a house before the end of the year, so we started cutting or reducing all those last minute purchases that can add up (e.g. we’re buying honeymoon clothes at Ross and Old Navy, I am wearing shoes I already have for the wedding, and I bought his ring off an online discount store).

• emileee
• 12 years ago

We were pretty diligent about sticking to the budget, and only splurging on things that our guests could enjoy (ie. alcohol and food) versus things that only we would enjoy (ie. expensive dress or pricey photography).  That principle kept us in line with our budget!

• RecessionistaBride
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: January 2012

Currently, we are way under budget.

Our original wedding budget was 25k, but due to the current economical state (and ridiculous immigration fees)- we cut our budget to 8k-10k. Once we cut back, we realized what we wanted from our day & what was the most important to us. We went from an original list of 200 possible invites, down to 50! And our wedding is on a Sunday afternoon/evening instead to save 4k on minimum food/drink sales. My goal is to create a 25k wedding on a shoestring budget 🙂

I also found a lot of inspiration online- my favourite is 2000dollarwedding.com. I was very touched by Sara & Matt’s creativity and intense love for one another. It definitely looked like a wedding to remember…

• MrsWoohoo
• 12 years ago

• Wedding: January 2009

I budgeted with a buffer so that when, not if, we went over (I’d read about it in magazines), I would still be within our actual budget. The psychology worked for us!