Let’s talk money.

This is where I begin by saying that the wedding budget is NO WHERE NEAR set in stone. But having done some initial talking and looking at average price points both in DC and in WNY, we’ve been able to at least speculate where we hope to spend our hard-earned dough.

On that note – and this is all still entirely up in the air – our budgets will have to differ DRAMATICALLY depending on which scene we choose. Scott and I are paying for the wedding, and we know we would like funds for a house more than a party. However, we plan on making a beautiful day happen on a relatively small budget. 

For now, here is the budget if we plan our dream wedding on my Mother’s farm in Western New York:

WeddingBudget

The reception obviously takes the majority of our budget, and hosting a wedding outside means some fancy footwork with caterers, power supply, and rented bathrooms.  I am sure I haven’t a clue how difficult it will be pulling this thing together from the ground up, but maybe my mid-life onset of being organized and a perfectionist planner will help.

The next item of most important to me is the photography/videography. As I type, my other computer is running and I am streaming old VHS family video tapes to archive for my family. I have around 20,000 photos on my computers, and I am addicted to maintaining and preserving memories of the past. Living in the moment is hard for me if I don’t have a camera in hand. To that end, I know how much I will value those photos and video, and I have already spent the last two months pouring over wedding photographer’s websites.  So, a fair share of our budget will go here.

The other piece that most people say is an exorbitant cost for something people throw away are the invitations. I am a stationary aficionado, and I can’t bring myself to wasting a perfect opportunity on playing with paper :) I believe the invitation really lays the framework for what to expect at a couple’s wedding, and I have yet to figure out how to do this elegantly, but cost effectively. 

The wedding itself will be small, and if it is on the farm I plan to have my own cut garden for flowers and save money on that front. Additionally, I think the DJ scene is mildly overrated, and in my experience has ruined a good wedding. With the help of my friends and my own obsession with great wedding tunes, we plan on procuring the sound system and creating our own playlist.  One of our best friends is marrying us, and will also serve as MC for the night – totally up his ally. So, this saves quite a bit.

We won’t need money for transportation/limos, and by having the wedding on our property, we can avoid miscellaneous charges for the space. We need to look into permits, etc, but that will come in time.

I haven’t even thought about dresses or accessories. But I’m no fashionista, so not worried about a whole lot there.

Ok, let’s hear it. We want your advice – if you have planned a wedding, where did you allocate most of your money? What turned out to be a huge waste? Where do you wish you spent more?

We are having a wedding, as small as it is, so you can’t talk us into eloping ;) but we definitely would love some tips. Ready…Go!

-Al