So, my wedding was yesterday! And, although this post was written in advance (by a week), I thought I’d share my updated wedding budget and show that I came way under budget.
My original thought was to have a wedding that was under $5,000. I thought it was absurd to spend that much on one day. I wanted something simple, intimate and cheap. Honestly, I believe we all can have a good time and not spend a fortune.
I made big steps into cutting costs and simplifying things. I chose a small venue that only allowed 50 guests maximum. I chose to wear my mother’s dress and to have the reception at her house. I made my own save-the-date magnets, inventions and wedding website. We rented a tux for Mr. Perfect, had my uncle as a DJ and relied on family to bring food. My mom and aunt went all out with decorations, party favors and activities. They put in their own time, money and effort and I am so thankful for them.
I wasn’t cheap all around though. I did splurge in true wedding fashion. Our wedding cake was the Tennessee Whiskey Cake at T.G.I Fridays. It’s the best thing ever! We also went to the mall looking for cheap wedding rings that would be around $400 together, but came out with financed $2000 pure-gold rings. I will never regret this purchase, we both are in love with our rings and the wedding ring is a true symbol of our bond together. I want them to last for many years to come.
So, now you can take a look at how our budget added up.
| Wedding Budget | Wedding Budget | 3260 | Wedding Actual | 3787.31 | |||
| What | Budget | Actual | Note | ||||
| Reception | |||||||
| Cake | 80 | 30 | |||||
| Food | 300 | 0 | |||||
| Beverages | 100 | 0 | |||||
| Fun! | 100 | 0 | |||||
| Venue | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Ceremony | |||||||
| Venue | 400 | 400 | |||||
| Deposit | 200 | 200 | |||||
| Dress | |||||||
| Dress Alterations | 400 | 207 | |||||
| Dress cleaning | 150 | 146.06 | |||||
| Bridemaids Dresses | 100 | 50.81 | |||||
| Flower Girl dresses | 100 | 20 | |||||
| Groom’s tux | 150 | 133.75 | |||||
| bride’s shoes | 5 | 0 | |||||
| Beauty | |||||||
| Hair & Nails day of | 0 | 0 | I’m going to do my own nails and mom will give me a French braid. | ||||
| Flowers & Decorations | |||||||
| bride’s bouquet | 15 | 33.42 | |||||
| bridemaids bouquet | 30 | 0 | |||||
| flower girls flowers | 100 | ||||||
| groom thingy | 10 | 0 | |||||
| best man thingy | 10 | 0 | |||||
| Ceremony decorations | 10 | 0 | |||||
| reception decorations and centerpieces | 50 | 0 | |||||
| Music | |||||||
| Uncle Al. | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Photography | |||||||
| Photographer | 260 | 240 | Tia. 8 hours + $100 | ||||
| Digital copies | |||||||
| Prints | |||||||
| Stationary | |||||||
| Save-the-Date | 70 | 53.49 | http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/copyandprint/magnets.html | ||||
| Invitations | 100 | 20 | thanks to moms printer all I need was a paper cutter | ||||
| Thank-you cards | 0 | take blue pad for thank you notes | |||||
| programs/menus | 10 | 0 | |||||
| food labels | 10 | 0 | |||||
| other | 0 | ||||||
| Rings | |||||||
| Resize engagment | 50 | 53 | |||||
| reshape other | 50 | 0 | |||||
| wedding rings | 400 | 2000 | |||||
| Transportation + Lodging | |||||||
| hotel rooms | |||||||
| Other | |||||||
| View venue with Mom, Mamie and Sonia | 56 | ||||||
| Stamps | 49 | ||||||
| certificate | 14.78 | ||||||
| license | 80 |
If you would like a copy of my Wedding Budget spreadsheet for your own use, you can download it by clicking this link: Get My Free Wedding Budget Spreadsheet
Weddings are a day for celebrating a bond of love. It’s suppose to be special, you’re supposed to have fun and you’re supposed to be happy in however you celebrate. But, weddings do not have to be as much as a small house.
How much was your wedding?