Wedding Just started planning!!!!

[booswim542]

So, I just started planning my wedding this week. I believe the date will be August 16, 2009 - although my school schedule is not yet finalized, so it''s not engraved in stone yet.

I am SOOOOOO excited! I have an exam this week, but I have spent all my waking hours planning this wedding that is still a year away.

I am planning on 2 bridesmaids and 2 groomsmen, and about 65 people - just family (a relatively big one) and really close friends. I have a budget of about $5,000. At the early planning stages, I am not sure this is going to be possible, because I want to have a nice meal for my guests since a lot are traveling from across the country.

So here is the breakdown so far. There is a really nice hotel/restaurant that has a breakfast buffet for $11.25 a person! And if you have a reception there, they do not charge for use of the room! They also have champagne and mimosa punches that I am planning on having since it''s a little early for an open bar.

Date: August 16, 2009
Time: 10:00 am (outdoors at a beautiful park!)
Reception: 10:45 am – 2:00 pm (at the aforementioned hotel/restaurant)

Dress + accessories $400
Veil $60
Hair: $0 (sister)
Marriage license: $20
Officiant: ???
Food: $740
Cake: $210
Drinks: $250
Taxes/Tip: $290
iTunes: $20
Flowers/Decorations: $650max (dahlias from a local farmer and DIY arrangements)
Petals: $20
Site: $50
Chairs: $190
Aisle fabric: $15
Invitations: $70 (incl stamps – also DIY)
Photography: $650
Bridesmaid gifts: $60
Groomsmen gifts: $60

So, things are looking good so far. But I have a feeling I am leaving a lot of things out. What am I missing that is really going to dent my budget? What do you all think?

 

[urseberry]

What will the groom wear, and will it add to the cost? Are you going to have favors or additional paper products like programs or escort cards? Does the park require a permit for a wedding?

Best of luck with your plans, and have fun!

 

[astraea]

I''m an August 09 bride as well!!! Congrats!

If you want to do it, don''t forget Videography unless you already made arrangements for somebody like a family member or friend to film.

Also, favors for guests might add up; but you could probably get DIY with those and keep the cost down I know a friend of mine used cupcake wrappers and put little candies in it for every guest who sat down and ate - it was cute!

 

[booswim542]

Yay! Thanks for the responses!

And congrats astraea!!! Are you well into your planning phase or are you just getting started as well?

So, I really like the idea of candy in cupcake cups - I found some cute pink/orange ones online that would match my colors. Plus, they would really brighten up the area, I think. I budgeted about 50 bucks for those (with 65 guests), so that's definitely do-able.

Secondly, the groom is going to be wearing clothes that he already has. Since it's outdoors and summer, we're going to do something relatively casual. No tuxes for his guys - maybe not even suit jackets!

There is no parking fee - thank goodness. It's a city park, so there is just parking wherever you can find it really. Since we're doing the Sunday morning thing, I doubt this will be an issue.

I don't think we are going to do programs either. I just feel like they are sort of unnecessary since we're going to do a pretty short, non-religious ceremony. Anyone think that skipping programs is a bad idea?

Thanks for the help so far you guys - I am SO excited! Keep the ideas rolling!

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 9/11/2008 2:44:36 AM
Author: urseberry
What will the groom wear, and will it add to the cost? Are you going to have favors or additional paper products like programs or escort cards? Does the park require a permit for a wedding?

Date: 9/11/2008 10:19:35 AM
Author: booswim542
There is no parking fee - thank goodness. It''s a city park, so there is just parking wherever you can find it really. Since we''re doing the Sunday morning thing, I doubt this will be an issue.

I think that urseberry was referring to was a permit to use the park for your ceremony- not parking fees to stash your car somewhere. I could be wrong. I too am looking into using a public park for my wedding and I know that I will need to pay a fee to do so. Even if there isn''t an actual fee, do you know whether or not you need to apply for anything to use the space?

Good luck with your planning! The breakfast buffet sounds quite yummy.

 

[urseberry]

Claritek, you''re right! Thanks for clarifying.