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Just Said Yes July 2020

How much did you spend?

Demetria , on January 1, 2018 at 1:35 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 24
I’m recently engaged and I’m in the phase of putting together a wedding budget. I’ve always dreamed of my wedding, but I never really considered the cost. IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE!! I’m looking to spend no more than $35,000 on my wedding, which I would like to be in July 2020 in the Chicagoland area. I prefer it to be in a banquet hall with the reception to follow, an open bar (or maybe a partial bar), DJ, photographer and videographer, plus DOC since I don’t live in Chicago (however, some of my immediate family do). I would need two separate caterers, an American (which will hopefully come with my venue) and an Ethiopian cuisine option (as my fiancé’s family are Ethiopian and I don’t want to exclude their preferences especially considering they reside in DC and will have to travel for our wedding). With no more than 100 guests. I stated all of that just to paint the picture of my dream wedding. My for those already married and/or locked in a venue, how much did you spend on your wedding venue? What was included? How much was your total wedding cost? Do you regret spending money in any particular area?

24 Comments

Latest activity by Sheena , on January 2, 2018 at 10:31 AM
  • FutureMrs.V
    Super June 2018
    FutureMrs.V ·
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    First I would recommend looking in the suburbs for your venue instead of the city. I'm spending $1600 on my wedding venue, but that only includes tables, chairs, and the use of the facilities all weekend. My alltogether budget is going to come in at around $18000 for 180 guests. I'm in Peoria, Illinois, so my costs will be less all around than the Chicago area. My budget includes, invites, beer and wine/sangria, dress, grooms attire, dress alterations, caterer, photographer, florist, DOC/decorator, DJ, miscellaneous rentals, hair and makeup plus trials, and videographer. I don't regret anything yet, but I wish I would've found my DOC/decorator earlier. She could've saved us so much money that was already paid for other rentals, and our florist.
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  • Orchids
    Master March 2018
    Orchids ·
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    I think you'll be able to pull it off within your budget. We were looking at hosting ~125 people in the San Francisco bay area and we were coming in around $20k when we were getting quotes and trying to figure out a total cost.


    We wound up with a much smaller wedding, but we did try to map out how much it would be for the large group first. Smiley smile

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  • C
    Just Said Yes October 2018
    Carolyn ·
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    Newly engaged and looking to get married in Chicagoland as well - congrats!!

    We’re in the same ballpark budget as you, and I think that’s doable in this area, but it’s gonna be tight and require concessions. You may not need two entirely separate caterers if you can find one that can accommodate both cuisines (I think two would blow your budget AND be a logistical nightmare). And, I’m doubtful you’ll be able to fit Videographer in that budget, so you may want to consider that it might just be photos. I’d consider locking down your venue sooner than later, as prices often go up annually but if you book 2020 now, you’ll likely get 2019 rates.

    The advice I’ve heard many times over is to pick your 2-3 priorities and spend on those. Make concessions elsewhere. Ours are venue, food/booze. We already know we’re gonna be DIYing or going very low key with decor and florals, DIYing invites, etc.
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  • JerseyGirl
    Master May 2017
    JerseyGirl ·
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    Along with looking in the suburbs I would look for an inclusive venue. Our venue included food, open bar, centerpieces, DOC, cake- everything but DJ and photographer. For our ceremony and venue we were at $5800 for 60 people.
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  • D
    Just Said Yes July 2020
    Demetria ·
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    When I say Chicagoland, I mostly mean the suburbs surrounding Chicago. I considered the idea of a venue with most things included, but I would still need some wiggle room in the contract to still bring in an extra caterer.
    • Reply
  • Emily
    Beginner March 2018
    Emily ·
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    Holy crap, no offense, but I don’t know how people can spend so much money on a wedding. At the end of the day, no one's really going to remember all the little details.

    Our budget is $2,000 and it’s shaping up to be a very beautiful wedding. It sounds like you have a lot of time to plan, but my biggest advice is to stick with your budget no matter what. We made the mistake of not setting a concrete budget, and things were starting to add up far beyond what we and our families could afford. It is SO easy to get carried away.

    If possible, utilize your friends and family’s talents/skills where you can. My dad was a chef for many years and was able to connect with some old colleagues to get us a great deal on catering. For our wedding cake, my maid of honor has a cousin who owns a bakery. and she was willing to reduce the price significantly on our wedding cake if we advertised her business on social media. If you have friends who have recently been married, reach out to their vendors and see if you can get a referral deal. Knowing the right people can really help you out along the way.

    I’d also recommend going to a couple of bridal shows and trying to find some good deals. We found a DJ at one show who normally charges $800 for 5 hours, and were able to book him for $300.

    When you take away all the connections and discounts, our overall cost should be closer to $6,000. Our biggest expensive has been the photographer, but even then we got a discounted rate since my sister is a frequent customer.

    Best of luck!
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  • Leelee
    VIP September 2018
    Leelee ·
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    Oh my, please please DO NOT consider making a go fund me account for your wedding expenses. That is gross. Have the wedding you can afford. How could you even think of that? People astound me.
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  • C
    Master July 2018
    Cuoghi ·
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    Your dream wedding is the day you are marrying your husband. It could be in a barn or on a boat or in a court house with no one around wearing a t-shirt and jeans. All this inflated fairytale, Prince Charming wedding stuff is ridiculous and takes away from what the day is actually about.

    FYI Chicago is the 5th most expensive place in the country outside of NY and NJ to get married.
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  • Km42118
    VIP April 2018
    Km42118 ·
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    A good wedding spreadsheet is a must! Keeps you grounded and makes you realize how fast those dollar signs go up
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  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    Don't ask friends and family to share their talents, and for the love of god please DONT make a GoFundMe.

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  • Erika
    Dedicated March 2018
    Erika ·
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    Carnival cruise is very inexpensive. You can get a wonderful wedding package for under 10k.
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  • stephanie
    Super October 2017
    stephanie ·
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    Why on earth are you getting married in Chicago if you don't live there? H and I DO live there but got married in my hometown in small town MO precisely because Chicagoland is insanely expensive. Are there other places you have family where you could have the wedding?

    I LOVE Chicago and live downtown myself, but I would NOT plan a wedding in this area if other options are possible.
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  • L
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Lindsey ·
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    Ovation Chicago is a super cool venue and includes a lot in their package!
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  • L
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Lindsey ·
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    Also weltzin media for videography! She has a great price!!!
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  • C
    Dedicated August 2018
    Courtney ·
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    Do NOT create a go fund me account to finance your wedding!!! Pay/plan the wedding you can afford!
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  • JerseyGirl
    Master May 2017
    JerseyGirl ·
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    View Quoted Comment
    Smiley surprise You mean like the one that was posted earlier?? Please do not do a go fund me for your wedding. Have one within your means.
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  • D
    Just Said Yes July 2020
    Demetria ·
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    I would never set up a GoFund Me to help pay for my wedding because money isn’t a problem. With that being said, I’m also not trying to spend TOO much on my wedding either.

    I am having my wedding in Chicago because I live 3 hours away, with most of my family
    living in Chicago so it makes more sense to have it there. My fiancé’s family live in the DMV area, and I have no family in Indiana where I currently reside.

    I appreciate those with HELPFUL suggestions.
    • Reply
  • starsinwaves
    VIP November 2018
    starsinwaves ·
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    Our budget is about the same for 110 people in Florida, not including honeymoon or travel. So I’d say it’s doable, even in Chicago, but you’re going to have to get creative and make some concessions. Fortunately, you have a lot of time so you can look around for deals and have your pick of vendors. For me, photography is really important and most of the ones I loved were in the $3000 range, but I was able to find someone FH and I are both thrilled with and he’s only charging $1800. We’re also planning on getting our flowers from a grocery store since they’re not that important to us. So definitely do a lot of research and you can find things to keep your costs down. We’re doing an all-inclusive place but you can save a ton of money if you find a venue that will let you bring in your own alcohol. Congrats and good luck!
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  • Emily
    Beginner March 2018
    Emily ·
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    There is absolutely nothing wrong with allowing family to help, and it cuts down on the cost. You’d be surprised at how many people are wanting to help out during weddings.
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  • S
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Sheena ·
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    I'm in indiana but looking to have my wedding in the Chicago land area I've been looking into Astoria in buffalo grove IL they are all inclusive with reasonable prices and great deals
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