Feeling Overwhelmed.

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I agree Kristen! We are only planning on spending $5-6k. We don't want anything big or grand. It's the film and photos that I want to invest in. Venue is only cost $700. film/photo company we are interested in is going to wind up being over $3k if we go with them. But I'm in love with their work. If I don't go with them I think I'll wind up using my own camera. Because I'm fed up! LMAO.

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Wow! 14+ months, my fiance would pass out. He's very serious about us being able to still live comfortably after wedding expenses. After talking with you ladies on here I think out best bet is to go with a less expensive photographer.

View Quoted Comment I completely understand you but you know what that is something that is worth splurging on because ultimately we want to look back on our day and see happy memories. My fiance and I are just eloping with a couple of friends and my older brother but truthfully I said I will pay for photography and I wanted some good photographers because I've just read some of the horror stories on here either not receiving pictures or the bride's not liking the pictures and I want us to look back at our one day. I do feel you it does suck to Shell out thousands of dollars for pictures and video hahaha. But that is definitely a Splurge that is worth it. Definitely great find on the venue for that price.

View Quoted Comment I️ would Hate to pay for something and the. Not like it. That would be terrible. That’s why the more I️ look At their work the more I️ want them. We are going to try and make it work.

View Quoted Comment You can definitely make it work and maybe there's something else that you can cut back from. I totally understand you that when you plan an elopement or wedding and you see just how much things cost a really not see when they're cut. I knew that photography with something that I want to splurge on especially because there are plenty of friends and family that will not be there for the ceremony. The venue I wasn't going to break the bank for and there are other ways that I'm trying to cut back and just get what I need even if it's not perfectly what I would like. I definitely agree that photo and video is a priority. Worst case scenario the photo is most important maybe you can forgo the video or try to find something a little bit cheaper there.

View Quoted Comment Their bundle option is the cheapest by far. It’s 2800 for film and video for the full day and we cover their travel which is estimated 900. To me that’s just about the price we’d pay for another Vegas based photographer that isn’t even as good as them. AND that’s only for the photos!! So their prices are incredible. I️ want Them. 😭

View Quoted Comment Ahhhh that makes sense. I personally say if you want them get them. Don't let that be a factor that you feel like your wedding isn't going to be as special as you want it. In fact for me if I had to get a on sale off the rack wedding dress to have the photographer I would. I already know that with my paycheck I'm planning to budget at least two hundred bucks a month towards our lopeman and then anytime I get any extra money in my paycheck I'm putting it towards that.

View Quoted Comment Exactly! Weird hustle: If we donate plasma twice a week we can bring in $800/month. We’ve done it before. At first I️ thought It was $400 between the two of us but nope. It’s each. We just have to stay on top of it.

Honestly, with a small guest list we got the best of both worlds! Would that work for you?

View Quoted Comment Our guest list is 50. It’s small to me. 😅 plus it’s in come to terms that I️ really Want this company to capture my wedding day. We are gonna hustle hard and make it work!

View Quoted Comment That’s a great size! Small enough to enjoy everyone but big enough to party. 🎉

I eloped the first time. It was far less stressful and financially draining than planning a wedding. If I could, I would elope this time but my parents would be upset. I am only doing this because I deprived them of seeing me get married the first time.

I know you are stressed but do what you want and what is in your heart.
My first marriage we eloped, literally just paid for the marriage license and some food to bbq and had family over at our house for dinner. It wasn't fun (I had thanksgivings more fun), I was pregnant and I regretted it. This is my 2nd marriage and my FH first and we both want a real wedding, looking at just over $3000. Still stressed but we know it will be worth it.

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I definitely recommend opening a savings account if you don't already have one, and adjusting your paycheck to automatically deposit a percentage into that account. It's easier to save when you never even see the money. Download the Mint app and you'll be able to track exactly what you spend on food. Make a budget and once you hit that amount, strictly cut yourself off from fast food until the next month. Best of luck to y'all

My heart did the same so we did a small wedding...50 ppl in attendance and I loved it. The "reception" was in a private room in a restaurant. We had dinner and cake and I paid someone $100 to set it up for us. We had our ceremony in a beautiful glass building overlooking a lake that looked like a church. That was inexpensive as well.

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That's how I'm thinking of it. It's going to be worth it.

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Thank you for the app recommendation!

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That sounds perfect. Our list is 50 people as well!

For what it's worth, our destination wedding for about 30 people will be about $10k. We could have cut down a lot more, i.e. cut out flowers, reduced photography time even more, or pared down our menu somewhat. I could have gotten a cheaper dress (but I love it and had it in the budget).

We are having a really nice menu (upscale beach BBQ), including rentals (tents, plates, tables, silverware, chairs, tax, service & gratuity) for $115/pp, which, around where I live, wouldn't get you much at a fancier venue (not to mention, you'd pay $2k for a facility fee). We are limiting our bar to beer/wine & 2 specialty cocktails.
Something to consider, though, is having a smaller destination wedding! I think it could be done on your budget!

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Also - ask your photography company if less time = less money. We cut ours to 3 hours and are doing a first look instead of "getting ready" photos, and having the rest of the time be for the ceremony and the first 2 hours of the reception.