Budget

[CGRay3879]

Hey all!!!

I recentley got engaed and i am looking around at different wedding ideas even though we are planning on waiting until i finish grad school (May 2006) to get married. We don't want anything overblown for our wedding, but i want it to be nice. We will have the wedding at the church i grew up in which should be no cost, my brother will officiant and we will have a simple reception at the church with a buffett style meal or at least fingerfoods. the thing i am having questions about is the budget for the other things. I have read numerous books about what percentage each part of the wedding should cost--------but still that doesnt help me--------if anyone is having just a simple church wedding with a church reception please respond and let me know what to expect to pay for the other parts of the wedding---------

Happy Planning to everyone!!!

Chrissy

[megsdaniel]

I believe the most beautiful wedding is a simple one. If you set up 3-5 candles on either side of the background (on a table covered with black cloth) will enhance the ceremony. I would hire a photographer for the pictures and I would ask a family member to be the videographer. Usually wedding receptions will have assorted fruits, crackers and cheese, nuts, mints, and other finger foods with punch for a drink. You also will need invitations, wedding cake, and maybe a ribbon tied to the pews.

If you would like to know more about planning your wedding, please, just email me and I will have more time to respond to your message. You can ask me specific questions. Thank you! God bless!

Many blessings,
~Megs

[hinman2b]

I am getting married July 2, and my wedding (although large because of his family) will be simple with the ceremony and reception at the church, and fingerfood/dessert reception. We have the church for free, his dad is the officiant, and as for the rest...my total bill will be about 2500.
$1000 for the pictures (at my mother's request) I could have gotten them for 899.

I only paid $100 for my dress, but my friend just paid almost $300, which is very reasonable. Look at JCPenneys, or Ebay even. I got mine on sale (look for David's Bridal $99 sale, and other stores will most likely have the same deal at the same time, so go shopping then-usually change of season)

As far as percentage goes, don't worry about it. I just created an excel spreadsheet, tried to think of everything I would want (you can find lists all over the internet) and played with the numbers.

Have fun!
Luci

[reecey]

Originally Posted by CGRay3879

Hey all!!!

I recentley got engaed and i am looking around at different wedding ideas even though we are planning on waiting until i finish grad school (May 2006) to get married. We don't want anything overblown for our wedding, but i want it to be nice. We will have the wedding at the church i grew up in which should be no cost, my brother will officiant and we will have a simple reception at the church with a buffett style meal or at least fingerfoods. the thing i am having questions about is the budget for the other things. I have read numerous books about what percentage each part of the wedding should cost--------but still that doesnt help me--------if anyone is having just a simple church wedding with a church reception please respond and let me know what to expect to pay for the other parts of the wedding---------

Happy Planning to everyone!!!

Chrissy

The percentages really aren't very helpful - I know I looked at them compared to what I want to do and they aren't even close. Granted, you will spend a lot of money on a "full blown" reception but its not necessarily what the guidelines say. My mother commented on my percentages and I had to ask "oh crap! does that mean the marriage isn't valid? Are we going to be living in sin for spending over 40% on the reception??? oh my! am I going to jail?!?!?" hehe Yes, that's my sense of humour

The best way that I have found is find a dollar amount that you will need to stick to. Work backwards from there. Write down your most important must haves. If its the perfect exact dress no matter what the cost, then put that as number one - you might luck out and find it relatively inexpensive - I know I did. Then decide what you want the wedding to include. How many attendants, how many guests, what kind of reception. Next is where the fun comes in - bargain shopping for your food and decorations - if you're going to be doing finger food - buffet style, you can prepare it on your own (obviously with the help of family) and just have it ready the day before and waiting to be set out. (ask a good family friend to help with this) Check with the deli at the grocery stores to see what they can do - they usually can make pre-made food trays at pretty good prices - I know sams club does as well. The sooner you have your plan done, the more money you'll save by watching for sales.

[cl_peterson]

Basically you can spend as much or as little as you want on everything. It's up to you, if you want to be the super bargain bride, or if you want to just come in under average, or if you want what you want and you're willing to spend whatever you need to get it. For example, photography, I have heard of people spending as little as, well, near to nothing, and as much as $10,000. It is just up to you what you want.

[nle5]

It really depends on what you want to spend on the wedding and reception. Most people try to go by a certain percentage for everything but in today's world with brides finding ways to cut the budget you can't really go by the percentages. For example, if I went with a percentage for the reception part, which is normally 40%, I would be spending around $4,000. My reception will be about 1/2 of that amount. So you need to decide what you feel is the most important part of the wedding and reception. Put the highest amount of money in that area. If it's the reception then that's ok. When you finally have your priorities set for the wedding start allocating how much money you want to spend on each item.

[patricia_mg]

Originally Posted by CGRay3879

Hey all!!!

I recentley got engaed and i am looking around at different wedding ideas even though we are planning on waiting until i finish grad school (May 2006) to get married. We don't want anything overblown for our wedding, but i want it to be nice. We will have the wedding at the church i grew up in which should be no cost, my brother will officiant and we will have a simple reception at the church with a buffett style meal or at least fingerfoods. the thing i am having questions about is the budget for the other things. I have read numerous books about what percentage each part of the wedding should cost--------but still that doesnt help me--------if anyone is having just a simple church wedding with a church reception please respond and let me know what to expect to pay for the other parts of the wedding---------

Happy Planning to everyone!!!

Chrissy

You will find that all the investment on the groom and brides' image for a beautiful picture album is the most efficient expense you will make considering that that is what you will show the most during your married life.

I found a fantastic site that specializes in VERY Affordable Sophisticated Genuine Handcrafted Pearl and Crystal hair pins for special events: Weddings, Proms, Parties, Dinner, Brides, bridesmaids and flower girls
http://www.pearlhairpins.com
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[reecey]

Originally Posted by patricia_mg

You will find that all the investment on the groom and brides' image for a beautiful picture album is the most efficient expense you will make considering that that is what you will show the most during your married life.

I found a fantastic site that specializes in VERY Affordable Sophisticated Genuine Handcrafted Pearl and Crystal hair pins for special events: Weddings, Proms, Parties, Dinner, Brides, bridesmaids and flower girls
http://www.pearlhairpins.com
pearlhairpins, pearl hair pins, pearl hairpins, hairpins, wedding, bride, veil, jewelry, clips, bridal, marriage, prom, special events, accessories, accessory, classic

A little more creative than the rest of the spammers, but still SPAM. Ya know, I make it a point, and so do others to specifically not patronize these "vendors" - I hope others will too - otherwise we're just going to be overrun with spammy crap like this

[esp1087]

Originally Posted by reecey

A little more creative than the rest of the spammers, but still SPAM. Ya know, I make it a point, and so do others to specifically not patronize these "vendors" - I hope others will too - otherwise we're just going to be overrun with spammy crap like this

I agree it had NOTHING to do with the post... ugh I know that I wouldn't do this... If someone is looking for that advice, that is one thing. BUT TO POST IT FOUR TIMES IS ANNOYING!!!

[patricia_mg]

Originally Posted by reecey

A little more creative than the rest of the spammers, but still SPAM. Ya know, I make it a point, and so do others to specifically not patronize these "vendors" - I hope others will too - otherwise we're just going to be overrun with spammy crap like this

Actually telling everyone about my good experience with www.pearlhairpins.com was not intended to be spam... I just copied and pasted some stuff off the website but I can see how it could have sounded fishy. It's too bad too... because now it means I just gave them bad publicity!! I hope they don't notice!!!! Ugh!