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Just Said Yes November 2020

#1 Stressor - money

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Brook, on June 28, 2019 at 2:50 PM

Posted in Planning 21

We are in the very beginning stages of planning our wedding and I just read an article on WeddingWire that said couples typically under-budget in the planning stages and end up spending around $29,000. We're prepared to spend what we need on the things that can't really change - like venue/catering costs - but is the average couple really spending $29,000 on a wedding?! I know we can cut costs by DIY, maybe I get a less expensive dress, less people attend etc but everything is adding up quickly! Does anyone have any solid advice and where/how to cut costs but still keep your wedding personalized and elegant?

All you brides that went through this already ---- looking back, where do you wish you could have saved some $$$?

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21 Comments

January 2019
MOB So Cal · on June 29, 2019 at 12:29 PM
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I agree with others about your most substantial savings coming from size of guest list and the venue you choose. As others have mentioned, those two things are likely to be at least 50-65% of your total budget. (And, sometimes the venues/options that seem cheaper on the surface are NOT at all cheaper, when you do an actual "apples-to-apples" price comparison; so like others said, be very thorough in your research.) A lot of the DIY-stuff might save you a little, but that's not likely to be where you actually keep your budget under control. (Honestly, it's really easy to overspend on DIYs and buying decor-type stuff on impulse because "it's on sale." If you don't have a clear vision and a lot of impulse-control, it's easy to convince yourself you're "saving $$$" when that's the last thing you're doing.) As others have mentioned, location is a huge factor, as is the general type of wedding you're planning to have. We live in So Cal and daughter wanted a fairly traditional wedding (e.g., country club type venue, Saturday night, upgraded meal, open premium bar, etc.). Even though she was VERY careful, did a ton of comparison shopping, and limited the guest list to 100 (when it could have easily gone to 150 or much higher), the bottom line, after 18 months of planning, the total cost was EXACTLY what the online calculators predicted for a wedding in our location: $32,000 (not including rings, honeymoon, attendant gifts, shower, etc.). When we first started and saw those numbers, we though "that's ridiculous; there's no way it will cost that!"
Most importantly, be realistic about what you can and want to spend on your wedding, and then stick to it. Don't make any major decisions (like venue) without double-checking how that's going to fit into the grand total. Once you've made a commitment to a venue -- and the associated costs -- you've locked yourselves in for how that with impact many other choices. Good luck!
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