What is a realistic budget for a wedding?

Question

My boyfriend and I are planning a wedding for December. We don't know what to expect paying for a small wedding. I want it to be very simple, nothing too elaborate.

Answer 1

No one can seriously answer this for you as we don't know what your idea of simple is, what your local places charge, and what exactly you want and don't want. Your best bet is to get some ideas together and then start talking to people.
Call a few locations and see how much it is for the ceremony.
Call a few reception places and see what they charge per guest and what their flat site fee is.
Ask the places you call if they have any recommendations for florists and call them to get estimates based on previous weddings they have given there.
Look on the web for photographers - many of them list their prices, but if they don't, there's no obligation if you just e-mail them.

Once you've talked to at least 3-5 vendors in each category, then you can create a realistic budget and add and subtract where possible. Wedding dresses can run from $99 to hundreds of thousands of dollars - look at a few to get a feel for what's reasonable for you. DJs can be $250 or $1500 depending on your demands and location. I mean to get married in NYC, Napa Valley, or Newport, RI is going to be a heck of a lot more expensive than getting married in Pocatello, Idaho or Durant, MS. And getting married at the Ritz with 5 star service and food will be alot more expensive than getting married in a state park with a reception at an Embassy Suites.

When I budgeted my wedding, no local sites were really less than $5K and some were significantly more, photographers ranged from $1500 to over $10K and florists were similarly priced. But, this was in a very upscale location and everything is expensive there already.

The average US wedding is around $20,000. Figure out what you can afford, what things will cost, and then go from there. : )

Answer 2

I am going to have a very small one. between 15-30 people. A range because don't know w ho will come or anything yet. However, with all cost, should be no more than 7,000, if that. Mostly that is to pay for destination and the things need (dress) etc.

So, depends on what you will have, how many guest, what you will find cheaper and what you feel don't really need.

20,000? wow, that is a big chunk of change for a "small wedding". I think way less. If it is that high, then the bride and groom got extra things or paid a lot of money when no need to.

Just my opinion by shopping and getting idea's from others.

Answer 3

You picked one of the best times of the year to get married. Many facilities especially churches are already decorated for Christmas and Hannukah and absolutely gorgeous so you dont need to spend any extra on decorations. Decorations are usually a good chunk of your bill. Ask the facility you book if they set up their own decor for the holidays. You should use bright reds and golds and greens to accentuate the season and tie it all in. There are so many festive places around that time that it really can save you a ton of money, BUT you have to find a place and book NOW. Many offices and private parties book rooms well in advance. Depending on your guests and what type of recetion you would like to have it can cost a little or a lot. For a sit down dinner at a moderate price and providing one simple red and one simple white wine you should expect to spend about 30 dollars per person for food and drink. If you want to go simpler have an afternoon wedding with heavy appetizers, cold cuts, and cheeses, fresh fruits, and veggies. Opt to serve many non alcoholic punches. People have a tendency to over do it around the holidays anyway. It really all depends on you and what you want. The average 150 guest wedding with a sit down dinner and alochol costs about 20,000. A great book to get is The Complete Idiots Guide to Planning a Perfect Wedding. YOu can find many other great books in the Barnes and Nobles Wedding Section. That is where I got all my planning books and I also got The Everything Wedding Organizer. Both have great tips and budget worksheets. By planning and looking at all of my options I managed to have a 200 guest wedding that was nice with heavy appetizers and a cash bar for under 10,000. It takes some planning and cutting and asking. Be creative and get one of those books. It gave me a TON of ideas that saved me lots of money. Good Luck!

Answer 4

My husband and I went to a wedding chapel here in Texas. It had everything you need : dresses, tuxes, flowers, cakes, invitations etc. The woman who owned was a minister so she performed the wedding. (look in the yellow pages under wedding chapels) We had a simple wedding outside with no bridesmaids etc. We spent less than $1,000. I don't remember the exact amount. We have been married 10 years and we have 4 children. Don't start your marriage in debt to pay for a wedding. A wedding ceremony only last a little while a marriage should last the rest of your life. The marriage is more important that the wedding itself.

Answer 5

The biggest thing is how many guests do you intend to have. You can do a nice wedding on almost any budget, but it's hard to have $100 budget and 500 guests. I'd go to theknot.com or get a wedding planning for dummies book, or one catered to budget weddings, from the library to help you identify where you should spend the money, and where you can cut back without ruining the effect.

PS, I've seen heaps of wedding shows that do gorgeous weddings for $5000, but again, it depends on how many guests.

Answer 6

Wife and I got married in Brookings, SD. Cost 25 for the license, 20 for the JOP and 250 for the bar tab the night before. Been together for 11 years now. Remember, the wedding ceremony is just that, its a ceremony. The wedding and the paperwork are meaningless. Its the committment that counts. Congratulations and good luck.

Answer 7

You can easily do it for $500 to $1000. A lot of money is spent on catering, flowers, music, photographers, etc. Try to think of family members or friends that may be able to help you with those things. For example...maybe you have a friend with a nice camera who is an amateur photographer? That alone could save you a few hundred dollars. Also, the time of year you have chosen is a great money-saver. Another way to save money is to choose a location that provides a lot of services for you. Some wedding chapels will provide the flowers, music, and even catering with special packages they have.

This site has a lot of links with more ideas on how to save money at your wedding:
http://www.westchester-weddings.com/budget.asp

Answer 8

I would put aside about $9,000.00 for a small wedding.and invite about 15-20 people to you're wedding.make it close family and friends.and if anyone in the family can make a cake.for the wedding that would be a good idea.and i wouldn't worry about getting anyone to take photo's cause i'm sure the people at you're wedding will be taking pictures But if you really want photos of you're wedding then have disposable cameras at every table at you're reception.I'd also find someone who can cook. and have them make all the food for the reception.that way you will have alot of money for you're honeymoon.and while you're on you're honey moon you're mother or you're mother in law can get all the disposable cameras developed while you're away. and give you the pictures when you come back.good luck

Answer 9

Since you have chosen to marry around December, most churches and reception venue will be decorated. I would set your budget at $5000. Use the website The Knot for wedding ideals. Ask family, friends, and co-worker for help. This will cut cost too.

Answer 10

Your question is very broad. For food, flowers, and location will be the most costly. So I would say for a small wedding (50-75) people would be around $10,000.