Wedding Budget

[nana]

Do I have everything? I know that little things do pop up, but I would like to try and plan for as many of them as possible.


Ceremony:
-Officiant fee
-Chapel rental
-Decorations of the chapel

Reception:
-Reception rental (tables, china, linens, centerpieces)
-Food & Services (all food, all drinks, carver, cake cutter & bartender)

Attire:
-wedding dress and alterations
-head piece and veil
-bride's accessories (lingerie, shoes, jewelry)
-hair & makeup
-pre-wedding pampering (nails and toes)
-groom's tux
-groom's accessories (shoes, tie, cufflinks, etc) (doesn't this come with the tux rental??)


Flowers:
-Bride's bouquet
-Bridesmaid Bouquets
-Groom & Goomsmen boutonnieres
-Flower girl's flowers and hair piece
-Boutonniers and Corsages for moms, dads and other special people.
-Flowers for the ceremony site.

Music:
-DJ for reception
-Organist for ceremony

Photo & Video
-Photographer
-Videographer

Stationery
-invitations & reply cards
-stamps
-other inserts
-thank you letters
-instrustions of out of town guests

Wedding Rings
-Groom's ring
-Bride's ring

Transportation & Lodging:
-Limo
-Bride/Groom hotel rooms for wedding night

Gifts:
-Attendant gifts
-favors
-parent gifts

Kids (particular to my wedding)
-favors for kids (colors, books, & other little stuff)
-babysitters fee

What am I missing? Thanks for your input!

[Deana]

what a great list! You've covered pretty much all of your bases.

Are you having a lot of out of town guests? We had a lot, and we made inexpensive 'welcome bags' with maps, some snacks, an candle and... I forget what else, but we got a lot of compliments on that.

Also, don't forget to budget for your photographer & dj's dinner, if that is in their contracts.

Are you having a rehersal dinner?

[nana]

Thanks D,

I am having a lot of out of town guest and have already reserved about 20 rooms in town ranging from expensive to not so expensive.

I like that idea, I just didn't know what to include in the package. How did you get it to them?

We are having a rehersal dinner, but DF parents are paying for the whole thing so I don't have to worry about it.

[babyblue]

Hey mind if I borrow that? I have no clue what all I am going to need to budget for and that looks pretty good! :lol:

[Deana]

Nana, we brought them to the front desk of the hotel where people were staying, and instructed the front desk staff to hand them out when people checked in (we had our reception there as well so they were very accomodating).

You are so organized already, this is going to be a breeze for you!

[rdy2rac with]

Originally posted by nana
I like that idea, I just didn't know what to include in the package. How did you get it to them?

Most of the time when I've heard of people doing this they had them waiting in their hotel rooms when they checked in. If you've reserved the blocks of rooms the hotels should be more than helpful when finding out how many rooms have been reserved out of your block.

[nana]

Baby Blue go for it! Let me know if I can do anything to help.

D, that is a great idea! Did you send out information packages before the wedding for the out of town guests? Did you do save the date cards?

I have to be organized, otherwise it is NOT a pretty sight!

[Deana]

Originally posted by nana

Did you send out information packages before the wedding for the out of town guests? Did you do save the date cards?
yes and yes.

I did save the date cards first, then a couple weeks later I sent letters to all out of town guests giving details about the wedding, etc. Then, after I got the majority of rsvp cards, I sent one last letter to the out of town guests with a 'thanks for coming' and an agenda (plus some stuff like when we'd be providing transportation, etc.) I'll PM the letters to you.

[nana]

D-

Thanks so much for your advice! You are so helpful!

Should a seperate letter be sent to the bridal party? All of them are from out of town, well except one!

[nana]

Deana,

Thanks for the letter! It will help alot. I tried to PM you but your box is full!

Thanks for you help

[andrea]

The knot has a little budget thing that i worked with a little


http://www.theknot.com/pl_budget.cgi?HP=PLANbudget (http:// budget)

[Deana]

Nana, I just did a separate agenda for the bride/grooms party members -- I sent it to them about 3 months before the wedding so that they could make their travel plans (all but one of the party were from out of town too). I'm sure the guys threw their letters away :lol:

[Life201]

Sweetie, it seems so close, yet so far away! I can’t believe after all this time we’ve know each other that you’re in full gear making all these plans and arrangements! It also seems like there’s so much going on between now and the wedding. You still have to pick your dress and the baby will be here. All the other kids will turn another year older before the wedding and you may be back in Texas with us (fingers crossed)…

I’m so excited that you got the church and reception site taken care of and since I was at both places just a few months ago, I concur that they are excellent choices and it’s all going to be so beautiful. Tell Bart’s cousin that he’s going to have to incorporate hankies into all the bouquets because we’re all going to be bawling from sheer joy on your wedding day!

[nana]

Deana - That is what I will do, but believe me I will be sending all the guys letters...to their WIFES! I know them and beyond the bachelor party...they really don't care what happens! :rolleyes: Men! :D

Life--I can't believe it either! 324 more days! Crying is not allowed until after pictures are taken! :p

[Life201]

Originally posted by nana
Crying is not allowed until after pictures are taken! :p

Then you better have a make-up person on hand and on call, or do photos before the ceremony!

We've ALL waited so long for this to finally happen for you guys. I think even the guys might cry from sheer joy and amazement that it's finally happened! :p

[nana]

Life...you are probably right! I was saying that as more of a joke, because I will probably be the first one crying! :p

It's hard to believe it is really happening!