Almost engaged, am I being crazy???

I currently live in the DFW area but we are planning our wedding in Wichita Falls...about an Hour and a half from where we live. It has been sooooo much cheaper. Our budget is $5000 (80-100 ppl)and we are right on track. Try to find something a little bit out of town. I'm not sure what area of dfw you're in but it can be done.

FH started sending me venue ideas 4 months prior to proposing. We had our spot picked out before I had my ring, so no you're not crazy!

I don't think your budget can go that far. I'm not sure of your area, but I'm getting married about an hour and a half away from our home in a pretty isolated part of NH and we are spending around 17K for 85-90 people.

I was with FH when he bought the ring, we bought both my wedding set with E-Ring and his wedding band before we ever got engaged, so I started pre-planning, too!

Dallas weddings are pricey. (Hi from the area!) You will need to go outside of Dallas proper, and look at venues like what PP suggested...Wylie, Lewisville, etc. Any vendor inside Dallas is expensive; if you book outside, you'll likely have to pay travel fees.

I'm divorced; my wedding was IN Dallas. My budget was $30k, and we went well over that into the mid $40k range. I was even budget minded, and didn't do anything crazy. We had a little over 100 people though, so after venue rental, food, and bar...the budget was shot.

I picked the right guy this time (hah!), and we knew we didn't want to get married in Dallas for all of the above reasons. We're doing a DW wedding in Fredericksburg.

I would suggest Italian restaurants or BBQ joints for catering. Any caterer in Dallas is going to run at least half of your budget.

Some venues and vendors offer a military discount; make sure to ask!

I think $10,000 is completely reasonable. You will have to do your research to find a less expensive venue, consider a church or have a backyard wedding. I am successfully having a $5000 wedding for around 150-200 guests, but I wouldn't have been able to do so if I went with more expensive vendors. I am also DIYing all the decor and flowers. Its possible girl, go for it! and congrats! Happy planning!

Anything is possible! You might check out Race to the Altar next weekend - they are giving away a dress, videography, photography and other prizes that could help you out! The event is free, too. I'll be there! I'm going to try to save myself @Malia

Your budget is fine!!! You'll definitely have enough, just make sure to set up how much you want to spend on what, and you'll be good to go!

I'm in NY - we are doing the entire wedding for about 25,000 with 200 people. Figure out what you're willing to spend on what. We got lucky and found a caterer that would do around 75$ pp - including EVERYTHING (servers, linens, favors and centerpieces)

We cut costs on the cake and flowers, our invitations came to about 450$ and save the dates were about $125 (stamps included) - cutting costs on things like that saved us a lot in the long run. I also planned this wedding starting January and we are getting married august 19th.

Don't ask can I do this? Instead just make it happen!!! You can make it work - your money is just as green as everyone else's. Just do your research!

You don't need a ring to be

engaged congratulations!!

I'm in the dallas area myself. I have to be honest that's an incredibly tight budget. My venue (including catering through the venue) is 10k. My guest list is 75 people. It is doable. Do not look in the city, look in the outlying area and look for a place you can have reception and ceremony (less transportation cost). I would look in the Rockwell, Aubrey, outlying areas.

I am planning a backyard wedding for 100 on Long Island, NY and we had originally budgeted $20k and thats not going to cover it, so we have had to have a $10k "contingency fund" in addition just to be sure we have everything exactly as we want it.

Just for our catering and open bar was a struggle to get $10k to cover our guests, and thats just starter, main course and a few hors d'eouves.

May is definitely very popular, but think outside of the box for venues, think of restaurants or a local farm that might host you. Also call on all your creative friends to try and help minimize costs on decor and invites etc.

Good luck!!

We are paying 12k for 60 ppl

I'm in the same predicament... I'm not "officially engaged" but my boyfriend already has the ring and wants to do the proposal the right way/ traditional way. We just booked the venue and will get married in September of this year. We both have abstained from sex until we're married so you can imagine why we didn't want to do a year long engagement lol. If you DIY and know people who can possibly do your photography, hair/makeup, officiate, DJ, etc then that can definitely cut cost. Since your fiance is in the military you have an array of cost effective options such as the NCO/ Officers club, base chapel, catering from those venues to name a few. I think if you cut out the "fluff" you can hit your budget. Well wishes

Date twin!!

Definitely books asap! I booked back in February and May and June were almost full!

I think 10k is a little low. I'm not sure where you're located, but my venue for that same date is $7,500 for up to 200 people.

You don't have to considered yourself engaged if you don't want to. To me It wasn't official until he asked. 10k may be possible if you can find a venue that is BYOB an BYOC(catering). You may just have to minimize flowers, search for package deals for photos and video, a cheaper food option like Italian or Mexican, used or sample dress, and wine/beer/signature drink bar. It may be right but it's doable.

I know you are excited but wait until you get the ring and he has asked your Dad. If your almost FH is military, explore the idea of a reception at an Officers' Club or a reception area on base. I went to one and it was gorgeous. 10,000 is a BIG stretch. Your date is next to Mother's Day. That will cost you BIG TIME. I'd try another date.