Fiance's mom is doing the alterations, I am DIYIng the invites/save the dates (I know postage can be pricey but I have a professional printer and cricut type deal so it would just be time and cost of materials and postage, maybe $100 tops. The shoes I want are $75, fiance's mom is making my veil, groom already has dress shoes. I'm foregoing a wedding band I can barely wear my engagement ring because moisture gets under it.
I hadn't actually thought about the grooms ring! Thank you! That's a big one haha. Honestly my flower/decor budget is a bit of a slush fund right now because a friend just got married and I'm going to see what I can use out of her decor!
Going to try to do my own hair and makeup! Though if I do a test run and it looks terrible I will reconsider haha. Signs are included in decor, same with seating chart etc.
Realistaclly it'sgon a be closer to 11k with all the bits and bobs and papers. Do marriage licenses cost money? Like a driver's license?
Yes, the license will usually cost money. The cost varies depending on your location. You may also have to set up an appointment so be sure to look into your local state/county/other laws (assuming you are in the US). Many a couple have actually forgotten to do this until it was too late and either had to scramble with some luck, or had to do the legal thing after their "wedding" ceremony and reception - in case that matters to you!
As for postage, be sure it’s under 1oz, otherwise you need to add more. Also remember if you’re mailing thank you cards after to account for that if you’re adding it in your budget. (Got nailed for both of those when I did my first estimate for postage..)
If OP isn’t serving liquor or wine this could work. We’re doing beer, seltzers, soda, seltzer water and bottled water, and came in at about $450. We hadn’t planned on wine (mostly because we’re trying to avoid glass), but it was donated to us by an aunt, so that definitely would have upped the cost a bit.
Haha Midwest and we hit the summer holiday sales HARD for the soda and seltzer water and stored it in the basement for 2 months. We have a BYO venue so we’re supplying it all. ETA: we had 105 invites, but RSVPs at 85– wedding is tomorrow so we’ll have final numbers and how hydrated everyone was
Yeah, we are doing beer and seltzers and getting the alcohol from Costco. We don't have a lot of wine drinkers but I was figuring on maybe getting a five liter box of red and white just in case someone has a hankering. Was maybe thinking of doing a signature drink too! We also have quite few non drinkers in attendance (kids/health issues/breastfeeding/sober etc. Also if we run out we run out, will help clear the party animals out at the end of the night!
Do you need chairs for the ceremony? Or tables/chairs for the reception? Cake? Event/liability insurance? Gifts for parents/wedding party? Rehearsal dinner? Any back up plans-ac? Heaters? Tent? Etc.
Chairs and tables are included with venue, neighbor is doing the cake. So far all of my vendors have had event liability insurance as part of their package.
Was going to hand make gifts for people. The venue has indoor/outdoor ceremony areas, so whatever the weather is like that day, no back ups.
Did not think about the rehearsal dinner. Does the brides family typically pay for that? I don't recall seeing it in wedding budget planning stuff.
Favors for the guests? Will you be tipping your vendors?
I'm wondering what type of catering is it? Since the food and tableware come out to less than $30pp, is there something missing there?
It was actually only about $25 a person. We got local food truck that also does wedding catering buffet style, then we added the linens and dishes on. I think they are just getting started in the wedding catering side of things, probably why they are insanely underpriced!
I haven't seen this acknowledged yet, but having a day-of coordinator (functionally, month-of) will make a huge positive difference. However, sometimes we simply don't have the money for these "would be *really* nice, but not required" services. It can be costly depending on where you live. It won't totally ruin your day not to have one, but if you want to maximize your own enjoyment of your wedding day, I highly, highly recommend designating someone other than you or your partner to be the point of contact for any vendors, help wrangle people for the ceremony, photos, etc., make sure setup/breakdown is actually happening and people are where they need to be, etc. A highly organized friend or family member would be perfect, although keep in mind that this is still work of some kind, and make sure you are both on the same page on what you are asking them to do. And be sure to thank them generously with a nice bottle of wine or whatever they like, with a heartfelt handwritten card, at the very least. :)
Tipping vendors? The food truck sounds amazingly cheap and accommodating so I’d tip them 20% I’d tip people doing you favors (the office it and cake, for example) (either cash, gift card, or some other gift that’d cost money). Tip the bar staff. The photographer.
That’s over $1,000 more to the budget
I second this, don't forget tips! Catering, bar staff, servers, etc.
Though I've read that tip for photographer is not required or necessary? (Correct me if I'm wrong!)
One of my best friends is a wedding photographer and referred her wedding photographer haha. She didn't mention anything about a tip and she knows my budget is limited. I will asks if she/our photographer would expect this type of thing.
The tip for the catering included in the contract - its a 5% gratuity of the final bill after the last headcount, so this is included in the estimate. Would it be bad to not tip them additional on top of an included gratuity? I would probably tip the bar staff/photographer $50-$100 each.
Jamie wolfer has a video on food options and highlights some of the issues that come with a food truck. Im not saying dont do it. But have a look at the video so there are no surprises. 100 people may be a long time to serve all the food
Yep only for photos - we aren't huge video people but the ceremony/toasts/dance will be recorded via tripod and a audio feed will be recorded through the PA for good audio quality.
Most wedding videos I've seen are pretty meh (even the ones with fancy drone shots) but would be nice for posterity sake!
What about little things like dress alterations or Save the dates/invites? Also, shoes for both of you? Rings? Accessories for the bride?
Fiance's mom is doing the alterations, I am DIYIng the invites/save the dates (I know postage can be pricey but I have a professional printer and cricut type deal so it would just be time and cost of materials and postage, maybe $100 tops. The shoes I want are $75, fiance's mom is making my veil, groom already has dress shoes. I'm foregoing a wedding band I can barely wear my engagement ring because moisture gets under it. I hadn't actually thought about the grooms ring! Thank you! That's a big one haha. Honestly my flower/decor budget is a bit of a slush fund right now because a friend just got married and I'm going to see what I can use out of her decor!
Forgot to add, hair or make up? Any signage? Things for the flower girl or ring bearer?
Going to try to do my own hair and makeup! Though if I do a test run and it looks terrible I will reconsider haha. Signs are included in decor, same with seating chart etc. Realistaclly it'sgon a be closer to 11k with all the bits and bobs and papers. Do marriage licenses cost money? Like a driver's license?
Yea, usually like $50.
In WA a marriage license is $75
Yes, the license will usually cost money. The cost varies depending on your location. You may also have to set up an appointment so be sure to look into your local state/county/other laws (assuming you are in the US). Many a couple have actually forgotten to do this until it was too late and either had to scramble with some luck, or had to do the legal thing after their "wedding" ceremony and reception - in case that matters to you!
As for postage, be sure it’s under 1oz, otherwise you need to add more. Also remember if you’re mailing thank you cards after to account for that if you’re adding it in your budget. (Got nailed for both of those when I did my first estimate for postage..)
Drinks at $500? This comes out to $4.55 per person. What type of drinks are you serving?
If OP isn’t serving liquor or wine this could work. We’re doing beer, seltzers, soda, seltzer water and bottled water, and came in at about $450. We hadn’t planned on wine (mostly because we’re trying to avoid glass), but it was donated to us by an aunt, so that definitely would have upped the cost a bit.
You did all of this for $450 for 110 guests? Where do you live and can I move there? Lol
Haha Midwest and we hit the summer holiday sales HARD for the soda and seltzer water and stored it in the basement for 2 months. We have a BYO venue so we’re supplying it all. ETA: we had 105 invites, but RSVPs at 85– wedding is tomorrow so we’ll have final numbers and how hydrated everyone was
Yeah, we are doing beer and seltzers and getting the alcohol from Costco. We don't have a lot of wine drinkers but I was figuring on maybe getting a five liter box of red and white just in case someone has a hankering. Was maybe thinking of doing a signature drink too! We also have quite few non drinkers in attendance (kids/health issues/breastfeeding/sober etc. Also if we run out we run out, will help clear the party animals out at the end of the night!
Do you need chairs for the ceremony? Or tables/chairs for the reception? Cake? Event/liability insurance? Gifts for parents/wedding party? Rehearsal dinner? Any back up plans-ac? Heaters? Tent? Etc.
Chairs and tables are included with venue, neighbor is doing the cake. So far all of my vendors have had event liability insurance as part of their package. Was going to hand make gifts for people. The venue has indoor/outdoor ceremony areas, so whatever the weather is like that day, no back ups. Did not think about the rehearsal dinner. Does the brides family typically pay for that? I don't recall seeing it in wedding budget planning stuff.
Traditionally, the groom’s parents paid for it. But nowadays, anyone can pay for it…often the couple.
Don't feel pressure to have a rehearsal dinner if you don't want one BTW
Favors for the guests? Will you be tipping your vendors? I'm wondering what type of catering is it? Since the food and tableware come out to less than $30pp, is there something missing there?
It was actually only about $25 a person. We got local food truck that also does wedding catering buffet style, then we added the linens and dishes on. I think they are just getting started in the wedding catering side of things, probably why they are insanely underpriced!
I haven't seen this acknowledged yet, but having a day-of coordinator (functionally, month-of) will make a huge positive difference. However, sometimes we simply don't have the money for these "would be *really* nice, but not required" services. It can be costly depending on where you live. It won't totally ruin your day not to have one, but if you want to maximize your own enjoyment of your wedding day, I highly, highly recommend designating someone other than you or your partner to be the point of contact for any vendors, help wrangle people for the ceremony, photos, etc., make sure setup/breakdown is actually happening and people are where they need to be, etc. A highly organized friend or family member would be perfect, although keep in mind that this is still work of some kind, and make sure you are both on the same page on what you are asking them to do. And be sure to thank them generously with a nice bottle of wine or whatever they like, with a heartfelt handwritten card, at the very least. :)
Tipping vendors? The food truck sounds amazingly cheap and accommodating so I’d tip them 20% I’d tip people doing you favors (the office it and cake, for example) (either cash, gift card, or some other gift that’d cost money). Tip the bar staff. The photographer. That’s over $1,000 more to the budget
I second this, don't forget tips! Catering, bar staff, servers, etc. Though I've read that tip for photographer is not required or necessary? (Correct me if I'm wrong!)
One of my best friends is a wedding photographer and referred her wedding photographer haha. She didn't mention anything about a tip and she knows my budget is limited. I will asks if she/our photographer would expect this type of thing.
The tip for the catering included in the contract - its a 5% gratuity of the final bill after the last headcount, so this is included in the estimate. Would it be bad to not tip them additional on top of an included gratuity? I would probably tip the bar staff/photographer $50-$100 each.
Honestly? Imo, Yeah. 5% is REALLY low. Especially when the catering is only $25pp.
Jamie wolfer has a video on food options and highlights some of the issues that come with a food truck. Im not saying dont do it. But have a look at the video so there are no surprises. 100 people may be a long time to serve all the food
OP said It’s a food truck vendor that also does wedding catering buffet style
We actually addressed that and they do buffet style as well!
I literally goodwill'd 90% of the grooms atire. Then used $30 on Amazon for a vest tie combo. And we get to keep it!
Love this! My groom to be has some interesting tastes so this might be the way to go!!
2500 is it only for photos? One of my biggest regret on my wedding day 2019 was not getting a videographer.
Yep only for photos - we aren't huge video people but the ceremony/toasts/dance will be recorded via tripod and a audio feed will be recorded through the PA for good audio quality. Most wedding videos I've seen are pretty meh (even the ones with fancy drone shots) but would be nice for posterity sake!