I've seen a lot of these lately and wanted to share mine in case there is anyone who has a similar budget to mine. I am going to try to break it down into events and include things that were gifted to me to the best of my knowledge. I did go a little over budget because of my dress but had my budget been as low as it is now when I bought it I would have been smarter. You can find some beautiful dresses for half the price as mine!
Rehearsal Dinner: $250
We will be having a lovely dinner at my FMIL's house cooked by my dad who is a chef. I don't know how much it would cost to have someone else cook but the groceries for 20 people will be around $250 with what he is making for us.
Beauty and clothes: $2200
Dress- It was purchased when we had a much larger budget so was $1400.
Alterations- $300
Wedding Band-$300 (We don't count mine in the wedding budget because he got mine on sale when he got my engagement ring so it was pre-budget. His will be $300 but If you guys are adding it to your budget He got both of my rings for $600)
Suit: $100
Shoes and accessories- We are wearing what we have!
Hair: $50 (going to a salon like hair cuttery. There's a lady there that does amazing updo's)
Makeup: $60 (I'm going to Sephora)
Bouquet- $30 (I went to Michaels and got 4 premade bouquets and one of those foam bouquet things and torn them apart and put them back together.) Mine was $25 and MOH was $5.
Ceremony: $410
Ceremony Decorations: $400 which include the following
Arch- $30 (we are building it.)
Arch decorations- $280 (darice.com has bulk crafts for wholesale prices. We got 36 "buttercup" flower stems, 6 peonies, 36 votive holders, 3 garlands, and 12 white roses for $250 and went to Hobby Lobby and got 7 yards of organza for $30 while it was on sale.)
Ceremony Decorations- $100 (An aisle runner for $12 and 200 leaves to scatter for $5, candle holders, some extra flowers and greenery)
DJ- Free. We are using spotify and speakers that come with the venue. FSIL will start and stop the music. She offered.
Venue- Free. Our grandpa is letting us use his lake house. I know not everyone has this luxury but there are a lot of free/cheap options! The backyard, a park, churches sometimes even if you aren't religious. Just keep looking!
Candles- My mother in law has a candle business so she is making all of mine but according to her it costs a few cents to make each candle plus it's fun! Get some stuff on Amazon and start DIY'ing!
Reception: $2000
Guest book- $60 (I could have found cheaper but I wasn't budging)
Cake- $60 (walmart!)
Cake topper- I'm making it out of the leftover flowers I have because I bought WAY too many!
Food- $1300 with tip and tax (We are going to Maggianos and paying for everyone with one of the party options.)
Fun- $500 (We are going bowling! This includes an open bar, pizza, mini golf, bowling, and Go Karts!)
Extras: $860
Photographer- $795 (I got an amazing price with a local photographer. We will only need him for the ceremony so they are giving us a 10 hour all pictures are released to us package for half the regular price!)
Invitations- $72 (On sale on shutterfly. This includes pre addressed envelopes, invitations, and detail/rsvp cards)
I know not everyone has a grandpa with a lake house but keep looking and you will find the perfect venue within your budget. I also know not everyone wants to go bowling on their wedding day but again, keep looking! Get a restaurant to cater, use a playlist on shuffle as a dj, get vases from the dollar store and use the extra flowers you got to fill them as centerpieces. It's possible! If I''m forgetting anything you are curious about let me know!
ETA: We are having a very small wedding 22 people. Parents, Grandparents, and siblings.
