it keeps going higher and higher.
what was your budget for your wedding?
me and my fiance are going to pay for this wedding. Our initial budget was $90,000. The venue, The Bellagio in Vegas, is charging us $25,000 for the ballroom itself. The main thing that blows up our budget is the guests (price per head for food and drink is $180). We initially had 350 guests but now the list is getting bigger and were at 500. the cost is now up to $115,000. I don't think i want to go much higher than that. im estimating its going to be somewhere from $115,000--$125,000. I just keep feeling its rude to invite some people and not others. I cant say no. What should we do to cut the guest list?? please help...
2007-09-12 15:12:07 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Invite family and close friends. That's it. If you don't send a Christmas card to them and don't talk to them more than once a year then take them off the list. In my experience under 100 guests isn't festive enough and over 300 guests is too large and not intimate enough. Cut it way down and not only will you save money but you will have a much better time.
2007-09-12 15:22:41 · answer #1 · answered by Luv2Answer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My budget was $2000, and yes, we kept to it. And we still get compliments on the wedding, too.
Okay, you need to prioritize here. What's more important to you? Having all the people? Having that venue? Keeping both no matter what it does to the budget?
Is there anywhere else you can cut your budget a bit?
The fact is, though, that 500 guests at the Bellagio is going to be incredibly expensive any way you slice it. One or the other of these huge expenses would seem the rational place to start cutting back. Frankly, I have trouble imagining spending $25,000 for a site and then being charged for food, bar, etc. on top of that. For that price I expect something to be included beyond simple rental of the space. Please tell me you at least get pure linen linens and a gold-plated string quartet with that rental price!
Are you really close enough to 500 people to make it imperitive they all be invited? Are there, perhaps, some distant relatives, former co-workers or dates for single guests that could be trimmed without a lot of fuss and feathers? There's got to be someone who can stay home.
Whatever your final decision, it's time to sit down seriously with your fiance and make some hard choices about priorities. What they are is up to you, but you need to decide what they are and start cutting back on other aspects of the event.
2007-09-12 22:36:29 · answer #2 · answered by gileswench 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could do a lot with a budget that high for your wedding, you just need to do a little prioritizing...First of all where is your wedding planner in all of this?
Generally, the rule of thumb is the guest list gets divided into thirds: your family, the grooms family and you and the groom and you decide how many guests each party can invite...
Have you and the hubby to be considered a church? they tend to be a lot cheaper in price and have your reception at one of the hotels, or since your budget is so high anyways, try one of the wedding reception places like Emerald Gardens they have reasable prices and they are really elegant plus they have an outside gazebo and reception hall.
Also, you guys go through the list and ask yourselves does this person really need to b at our wedding? and start cutting people, or eliminate children from being at your reception ie; flower girl, aisle runners, ring bearer, they can be present in the ceremony and pictures , but cannot attend the reception that cuts down on the head count for food. You can specify the reception is for "adults only"
Or you guys could have a destination wedding, you can have wedding and honeymoon in one... something small intimate a like the one that I am planning now is in mexico and the resorts are all inclusive and wedding packages are free!!! pluss you can add to the packages for minimul fees but they are worth it...
but whatever you guys decide be firm in your decision!!!! remember it is you and hubby's wedding not your parents!!!!Hopefully I was able to help out some...sorry I was lengthy
2007-09-12 23:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by fiveftelevenqt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait, two questions:
1. Do you live in Vegas or is this a destination wedding? Cause if you don't live there & people are having to pay to fly in and pay for hotels, not all these people are gonna show!
2. Is this the response count you are talking about or just the number you sent invites to? Cause only about 60% of the invited guests show up. Wait for the responses to start coming in; then you'll really be able to get a better idea of the cost.
Oh, and stop inviting people!
2007-09-12 23:37:20 · answer #4 · answered by valschmal 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry but that is ridiculous. Is it about 'show' for you both?
I mean even the richest 'famous' people have a small wedding of 150 guests of thier "closest" and Important friends and family.
$115,000 is Definatley OUT OF CONTROL.
For one day, a day that is supposed be for celebration of your love not of your money, or your now to be debt.
You need to go over your list of people and say.."okay, Will I hug this person and think...'oh I'm so glad your here with us".
The smaller the wedding the more intimate it will be, you need to DownSize for sure.
What do you get for the $25,000 ballroom???? I hope you get the service and almost everything for that.
incredible how people spend that much money on weddings when it could be used towards your future, your home your childres education.
2007-09-12 23:05:47 · answer #5 · answered by Australia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You said the main thing that blows up your budget is your guests. Why invite any guests if they are the problem to your budget. I would think that $25,000 up front didn't help too much. At $180.00 a head I would think that's not too bad for someone like you. I'm sure the wedding gift's from friends of people like you will be pretty expensive.
2007-09-13 00:28:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, I WISH I had your budget. You're a lucky girl. But, I will warn you , some people are going to critize you for that budget. But, if you can afford it.....then do it. I don't know you so, I can't comment on your money situation.
Anyway, cut the guest list. It's the only way you can get the price down. It's hard, yes......but it happens to EVERY bride. I don't know too many people that can invite everyone they would like. It's just not possible.
I would start by cutting co-workers and children you don't know very well. Maybe only have children of siblings or godchildren. Second, cut out anyone who you have not "hung out" with in the past year. I don't mean family friends who you have known for 20 years. I'm talking college friends that you haven't spoken too.
2007-09-12 22:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by Answer Girl 2007 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The short answer is LEARN TO SAY NO. Like NO children. NO ring NO bring. NO people from work. NO "and guest." NO "and family." Get out the ax and cut, cut, cut.
Your other option is to scale back the food to something more like a tea dance than a seated dinner. BTW, "high tea" doesn't mean dainty, delicate foods. It means chow hound stuff like smoked fish, a sliced roast or ham, fresh breads, coffess rich with whipped cream and whisky, scotch eggs, bloody mary's, tiny quiches, scads of desserts. Think formal brunch in paradise.
2007-09-12 22:26:01 · answer #8 · answered by kill_yr_television 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your budget is $90g? That is A LOT of money to spend. It is not rude to select the guests. You can limit the guests to bring only 1 guest with him or her to the wedding. You are the one who pays for it so choose your guests wisely. To be honest with you, that is too much money to spend on a wedding.
2007-09-12 22:29:20 · answer #9 · answered by Caitlyn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow-and I thought mine was expensive marrying at Little Chapel of the Flowers and a reception at Paris buffet:)
This is how I chose who to, or who to not, invite to my wedding.
Have I had a meaningful conversation with them over the past year? If yes, they were invited. If no, they were not invited.
Simple as that, and no one´s feelings were hurt.
Have fun, we love Vegas, and hope to stay at the Stratosphere again when we return!
2007-09-13 07:56:48 · answer #10 · answered by Learning is fun! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋