Friday, January 7, 2011

Bring on the Budget

I worked on the wedding budget tonight.  Working out the budget was not easy, and it is still not really figured out completely.  The amount spent on a wedding varies greatly.  The average cost of a wedding in the United States is reported to be $19,581, with most couples spending between $14,000 and $24,000.  The average number of guests invited to a wedding is 178.  I am aiming for a wedding budget of less than $12,000, yet I plan on having approximately 300 guests.  You can see how difficult creating my budget would be. 

Here is the budget I created tonight.  The top table includes items I know will be included in the wedding.  My dream wish-list items are included in the second table.  Finally, I have included items my parents have indicated Lee and I will have to pay for ourselves. As you will see, the "bare bones" of the wedding will end up being over budget by approximately $545.  This is by no means the final budget, but this was good for me to mull over in the meantime.   


Wedding Budget
Expense
Actual Cost
Estimated Cost
Wedding Dress – paid
535.00

Alterations
TBD
Up to 100.00
Undergarments (Slip and corset) – paid
86.67

Shoes – paid
57.78

Veil
TBD
20.00 (eBay)
Jewelry
TBD
40.00
Garters
TBD
10.00 (eBay)
Clarion Room Rental (Deposit – paid)
600.00

Clarion 2-Entrée Buffet for 300
5561.40

Cake
Gift from Lee’s Aunt  :)

Church
Gift from Lee’s Family  :)

Pastor
TBD
100.00
DJ – XL93 ($100 Deposit - paid)
       3 hour dance: $550
       4 hour dance: $650
       Dinner music: $50/hour
TBD – 600.00 to 700.00

Flowers – Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres
TBD
300.00
Engagement Photos
Gift from Friends :)

Wedding Photos – Shawna Noel
TBD
3000.00
Ceremony Musicians
TBD
300.00
Invitations, rsvp cards, other inserts, postage, address labels
TBD
480.00 (FedEx Invites)
200.00 (stamps/labels)
Save the Dates, postage
TBD
185.00 (FedEx magnets and stamps)
Reception Programs
TBD
100.00
Guestbook
TBD
20.00 (ArtsCow.com)
Tulle, Lights, Other Décor
TBD
100.00
Gift Opening Food/Beverage
TBD
25.00
Snacks/Water for Bridal Party afternoon of wedding
TBD
25.00



Total
7540.85
5005.00

Ultimate Wish List:
Rental Gold Chargers (for reception tables)
TBD
180.00
Menu Cards for Each Place Setting
TBD
100.00
Favors or Candy Bar at Reception
TBD
300.00
Hors D’ oeuvres Trays (9-100 Piece Trays)
TBD
675.00
3 Bottles of Champagne for Head Table
TBD
27.00
30 Bottles of Wine for reception
TBD
300.00
1 Keg of Beer for reception
TBD
250.00
Getting Hair Done
TBD
70.00
Manicure/Pedicure
TBD
50.00
Limo from Church to Reception
TBD
275.00

Paid by Caroline:
Bridal Suite
TBD
100.00
Bridesmaid Gifts
TBD
200.00
Gifts for Parents
TBD
50.00
Honeymoon (airfare, resort, extras)
TBD
3000.00 and up
Lee’s Wedding Band
TBD
500.00

Paid by Lee:
Groomsmen Gifts
TBD
200.00
Tux Rental
TBD
100.00
Gifts for Parents
TBD
50.00

2 comments:

  1. If you don't get a guest book from the engagement place, I can totally handle that one if you want. And I'll make sure to order it 6 months or more in advance ;)

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  2. You do such a wonderful job with those books, so I will take you up on that offer! I'll keep you in the loop after week take our engagement pics.

    Haha...so true about ordering it six months before. :)

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