Wedding Budget Breakdown Of A $10K Wedding

Our special day, May 16th, 2015, took place in Orlando, Florida. As our big day approached, we quickly realized that the time of year and location had a significant impact on our overall budget. With this in mind, I’ve decided to share our wedding budget breakdown with fellow couples who may be struggling to fit their dream celebration within their means.

Overview

I remember our big day like it was yesterday! Our initial budget was a whopping $10,000, a significant increase from the original $5,000 we had allocated. This was largely due to…

Venues

We secured our reception for $2,125 after being gifted $125 by the venue owner. The ceremony, which lasted 2 hours, cost us $113, with our $100 deposit fully returned. One of the benefits was the lack of contractual obligations, permits, or insurance requirements, allowing us to negotiate a more competitive price. By asking if we could pay $2,250 for the weekend, I managed to bring the total down.

Although we were locked into a minimum 2-hour time frame for the ceremony, it wasn’t an issue since we didn’t need the extra time for decorating or setup, and the park’s natural beauty was already stunning. If I had to do it again, I would aim to reduce the ceremony duration even further.

Total = $2,363

While our primary objective was to find venues that would fit comfortably within our allocated budget, we were thrilled to discover that many options actually came in at less than half of what we had initially planned for. This significant cost savings allowed us to reallocate funds and make adjustments to other areas of the event without breaking the bank.

Rentals and items bought as alternative

In an effort to minimize waste and expenses, we opted against renting equipment whenever possible. A notable exception was the 40 chairs rented for $130, including a $23 tip. This decision proved relatively cost-effective compared to alternative options like purchasing a stereo system outright, which would have set us back $210. Meanwhile, other necessities like a new power cord for our iPad ($10) and a microphone found on clearance for just $7 were more budget-friendly choices.

The real showstopper, however, was the GoPro, which we splurged on for $303. A free photo booth and props courtesy of a friend’s camera, tripod, and personal supplies allowed us to get creative without breaking the bank.

Total = $670

Vendors

Our photography experience was seamless, with our chosen professional capturing memories from 4:30pm until 11pm, a seven-hour span that included coverage at two locations. Her assistant efficiently managed our instant camera station, ensuring we didn’t miss a moment. A week later, we received over 300 edited photos, exceeding our expectations. We were thrilled to have found someone who not only delivered high-quality work but also fit our budget of $1,000 or less.

Similarly, the food truck vendor was a great find, offering excellent value and communication. After researching several options, they stood out as the best choice for us.

Total = $1,500

Outfits and beauty

The couple’s total spending on wedding attire, beauty treatments, and honeymoon essentials came out to approximately $1,442. The bride’s outfit, comprising a dress, custom vest, underwear, heels, boots, necklace, plugs, bag, rings, and bracelet, all of which were already owned, totaled $662.

Meanwhile, the groom’s attire, consisting of shorts, boots, shirt, suspenders, unused pants, and bow-tie, also largely comprised items they already possessed, with only a few new purchases adding up to around $340. For beauty treatments, they spent a total of $285, including $60 on waxing, $150 for hair styling (with an additional $50 for the trial run and a $20 tip), and $75 for mani/pedi services (with a tip included). The couple also invested in honeymoon lingerie for $175.

Despite not having a formal budget to work with, they felt that their spending was reasonable given the circumstances.

Total = ~$1,537

Save the dates, invites, and Thank You cards

At an estimated total cost of around $300, I must admit that I got a bit carried away with my creative endeavors. This figure encompasses not only the production costs but also the expenses associated with designing Save the Dates using Moo.com’s services, crafting DIY invites and Thank You cards, utilizing various tools, and incorporating ink and paper into other decorative elements and signage.

Total = ~$300

Decorations and other items

While we didn’t have a predetermined budget for the party, our spending habits were largely influenced by the cost of larger items. However, it’s worth noting that DIY endeavors can quickly add up in terms of both time and expense. In our case, a significant amount of time was devoted to crafting and creating various elements, which ultimately impacted our overall expenditure.

Total = $1,309

Desserts, appetizers, and drinks

When planning your special day, it’s natural to wonder about the ideal amount of drinks to have on hand. In this regard, our Tribesmaids shared valuable insights on calculating wedding alcohol needs. For instance, some guests were involved in the decision-making process, while others relied on… Some couples opted for mini pies ($116), cupcakes (~$105), gluten-free cookies ($10), and pupus with free fruit and veggies from friends ($35).

Meanwhile, wine costs $126, beer costs $129, and soda and water combo costs $32. Interestingly, our couple had the perfect balance of snacks and wine, but underestimated the number of beer drinkers, leaving soda largely untouched.

Total = $553

Wedding Rings

When it came to selecting our wedding bands, we decided to make a significant investment. We believed that spending more would result in higher-quality pieces that would complement my custom-made engagement ring nicely.

Total = $1,175

Officiant and marriage license

When we recently got married, I was surprised by the cost of the marriage license – a whopping $98! While some couples might be willing to shell out extra cash for pre-marriage counseling and potentially snag a discount, my partner and I decided to keep things simple. We managed to avoid any additional fees by having our friend serve as our officiant, which not only saved us money but also added a personal touch to the ceremony.

Total = $98

Thank You gifts

To express our gratitude to our loved ones, we opted for a straightforward yet thoughtful approach. For our parents, we presented them with beautifully framed 8×10 photographs of us, along with a personalized wedding book that I created on Shutterfly. The pictures were complimentary thanks to a discount code, and we utilized another code to receive a discount on the books. The frames themselves were purchased from Target at an affordable price.

We also extended this gesture to our friends and family who played a significant role in making our special day possible.

Total = $118

Wedding night room and honeymoon

While indulging in a 14-day all-inclusive honeymoon may seem extravagant at first glance, with a total cost of $7,832 for two weeks, it’s an experience that will truly be remembered and cherished forever. The initial sticker shock is justified by the unforgettable memories created during this special time, making it a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. To put things into perspective, consider booking a luxurious wedding night room at $369 – a small price to pay for the ultimate romantic getaway.

Total = $8,201

Total spent on the wedding:

The average cost of a wedding, sans honeymoon, stands at a staggering $9,992. When including the romantic getaway that often follows, the total expenditure jumps to an impressive $17,824.