HELP! Over budget dream wedding? Or Budget not what I want wedding?

You are basing your dream wedding more things like a venue and a cake and a dress than you are about your life. A wedding is a ceremony and a party. The important part is who you share you it with, not where it's held.

You can do a beautiful wedding for less than $8,000. In fact, around here, that's a pretty high budget. I also doubt you've accounted for tips and unexpected expenses in that number.

Stick around here and you'll plenty of ways to trim your budget. Start with the guest list, buy a less expensive dress, do a lunch instead of a dinner. If you really can't live without the crystal goblets on your wedding day, then you need to reexamine why you're getting married... Because the morning after the wedding, you're married and none of that stuff will matter anymore.

I second Pan's advice. It's so easy for other people to give wedding planning advice and encourage you to "go all out" because it isn't their money. They aren't the ones who have to deal with the stress of drained savings account/maxed out credit cards, etc.

FH has an aunt who keep encouraging us to go to Paris for our honeymoon. We're doing something much more lowkey...4 days in Key West. If I had $100 for every time she said "go to Paris!"...well, then we probably COULD afford to honeymoon in Paris!

Everyone is giving great advice. I did have to laugh at the " since its my first" comment, my brain went straight to.. ummm how many weddings do you plan on having?! lol. Ever see Coyote Ugly?! Where she said something about him being good for a first husband. LMAO.. anyhoo, back to the point. You can have an amazing wedding on ANY budget. Mine is smaller than yours. And i pushed mine back...well first 10 years, then another year after that cause life happens and all that jazz. anyhow, your wedding will be amazing cause you're both there and happy. COngrats on the engagement. Make wise choices with your money, it is YOUR day, but its also YOUR life and future. stick with the budget. Check out Pinterest for SO MANY affordable ideas. best of luck

Marlina, I noticed that you are a Tampa Bride. Reenski usually schedules meetups for us girls to get together and just hang out and chat. We have been trying to get a few of the Tampa brides together so if you are interested you should PM Reenski. She commented on your thread

We had to compromise on the location multiple times, but in the end, I know I do not want to start my marriage with a huge debt nor do I want to dwindle my savings. Between FH and myself, we have 3 houses that we're responsible for. We're praying to sell his soon (been on the market since May) and mine is rented. Had we not had the house, we could have increased our budget and had our dream wedding at the vineyard, but then after looking at other negatives to the location, we're happy with our decision. We'll just decorate to make it look the dream we imagine. Going up to 13000 is 5000 more than your orginal budget. That's more than 50% higher. If you have the money to do it, go for it. But just because you only plan on doing this once (the excuse most use to go over budget) do not count on it lasting if you and your FH start off arguing about money.

Thank you all for your input. It was a great help! As soon as I get more comfortable with the site I will update all my info. Reenski where are you located?

Yes, I. Agree with everyone! I too have had this issue.i finally found a venue mini love with them BAM....it's 14,000 my budget is 15,000 so that's not gonna work lol. I just had to move one. The great part is we have s many options. You will find something great.

I'm off my game, I didn't notice that! Marlina, I'm in North Tampa, and I was actually going to start planning/suggesting a Tampa meet up in the next week or so! And knowing that, what venue is it that you fell in love with so we can find you other options?

It's cross creek ranch in dover. Its the most awesome thing I have ever seen. I'm looking for a fall country type feel for the theme. ANd it fit perfectly but yes I will let it go and move on : (

I've been living in the tampa bay area for 2 years and still do not know much about it. SO any help and suggestions is GREATLY appreciated!

Reenski I am so in Love with your Old School cuban looking photos! they are great and different. Who is the photographer? I'm looking for something different as well. I'm not a traditional type of gal either. We're on the same page : )

Ooh, that place is pretty. I checked it out online, but obviously, it would have been WAY over my budget, too. Check out Laurel Wood Gardens (http://www.lwgardens.com/), not sure of their pricing, but that might work for you?

Did you mention how many guests? We have similar budgets, so I might be able to help a lot! And what part of Tampa are you in? You happen to go to USF?

I love Pan's advice. Have the wedding you can afford. It will make you happier in the long run because you won't have to worry about paying it off after you are done.

You can have a beautiful wedding for $8,000, absolutely. Will it look like a magazine? Maybe not. The truth is almost no one's does, but every wedding I've seen or been to has been beautiful! To me, a wedding isn't about where it is held or how fancy the flowers are, but the heartfelt-ness (yes, I just made up a word) of the vows and the support of the people around you. You love your FH and he loves you and THAT is what will make your wedding beautiful.

Reenski I live in Brandon actually. I'm not currently in school. Our list is at 125. But I told my FH we MUST cut it. I'm goin gto check out the site now.

Ooh, yeah, you do. That's going to be the biggest part of your budget. Are you opposed to a day wedding? Brunch or lunch will be cheaper than dinner (at least for most of the caterers I looked at when I started planning). I've got a guest list of about 95, and I think I'll end up around $8500, but I don't have a venue rental fee, so that's a big savings.

I sent you a PM about the photographer, so if you want, hit me up that way and I'll help however I can. And of course, at the next meet up!

Great thanks so much! Let me know when's the next meet up