what's up with the budget?

Some people don't get why we - an attorney and an engineer - are having such a "cheap" wedding. While we certainly could afford to spend twice what we're spending or even more if we went into debt, we just don't want to! One of the biggest reasons is that we're hoping to buy a house in the next few months and that will take nearly all of our savings and almost double our monthly expenses if it all goes through.



I think within an hour or so of Dave popping the question we were already starting to plan and I'm nearly certain* we discussed a budget of well under $10,000. That said, the money was certainly not the only or most important consideration because we wanted the venue for our ceremony and reception to reflect us and we also didn't want this thing to rule our lives. As a result our budget has shrunk and expanded a few times (all well under $10,000) based on food, venue and other things. For example, it was really important for us to have everything outside, but without the hassle of having to have everything rented and brought in. Lucky for us we found the perfect place and its very affordable. But darn it, good food is expensive!



Here's how everything (so far) has broken down:

• Use fee for ceremony and reception site: $800
• Cake: $200
• printing invitations: $60
• stamps for invites: $13
• Dress: $210
• Dress alterations: $360 (gulp)
• Veil and fascinator: $30
• Catering and related fees: $4,060
• Paper for tablecloths: $90
• Beeswax candles: $40
• Votive holders: $30
• Cake stands: $10
• Dave's Ring: $120
• Hotel room night of the wedding: $300 (we splurged for the fancy suite)

Total: $6,323

Yet to buy:

• the bar bill (just wine and beer - our estimate is around $800)
• my shoes ($80)
• potted plants (centerpieces) ($100)
• polaroid film ($50)
• hair ($90)
• manicure/pedicure ($40)
• my bouquet ($20)
• Dave's tie ($30)
• Marriage License ($30)
• Flickr account for wedding pics ($23)
• Officient Fee ($30)

Suff we're NOT spending money on!

• music $0 - ipod!
• photographer $0 - friends and family's digital cameras!
• escort cards $0 - not us
• menus $0 - unnecessary
• Save the date cards $0 - sent an email!
• favors $0 - unnecessary
• programs $0 - unneccary
• bathroom baskets $0 - very unnecessary
• bridesmaids $0 - not us
• groomsmen $0 - not us
• transportation $0 - carpooling!
• garter $0 - what for?
• my wedding ring $0 - my engagement ring will do (I think, haven't completely decided on this one yet)
• cake serving set $0 - unnecessary
• unity candles $0 - unnecessary
• ring pillow $0 - unnecessary
• bottled water/matchbooks/napkins/cds/shot glasses/beer koozies with our names on them $0 - unnecessary
• ceremony and reception decorations $0 - our venue is naturally beautiful!
• lighting (other than candles) $0

*there was a lot of champagne that night, ok?