Need your thoughts...

$21k seems reasonable to me for a venue, catering, and open bar for 150 guests. Obviously some things are dependent on your vision, like flowers, but I think $9k for other vendors should be doable.

Photography- $3000

Officiant- $300

Florist- $1500

Tux- $500

Makeup- (bride only) $250

DJ- $1000

Obviously these are rough estimates, but this would leave you with close to $2500 for a dress.

Does the $21k include taxes and service fees? Taxes added another $5k to our bill that we didn’t realize. You’ll have to go with a cheaper dj, photographer, and flowers but it’s doable if that number includes taxes and fees.

Honestly, I don't think it'll be doable. Like Kelly asked above, does the $21k include all taxes and fees? Once you add in the reception flowers, cake, photography, videography (if you want a video), your dress and alterations, your FS's attire, hair and makeup, the DJ, invitations and save the dates, any transportation you need, plus taxes/tips, you'll almost certainly be over $9k.

Definitely use the budget tool on here to write down estimated costs for everything. You could go cheaper in certain areas to make sure you stay under 30k, but just make sure you factor in everything, even the small stuff like parent and bridal party gifts, stationary, hotel room, transportation, etc. Our wedding will be about $12k total (not including rings). I'm in Maryland and the average cost is $34k, but I'm sure it's a lot more in NY.

I agree to make sure taxes and fees are included! If they are, 9k is definitely doable!

Mmmmm depends on what you want. I would strongly budget other things and decide which is more important for me. Like my dress and photography I am willing to splurge on but for bouquets I will go cheaper. Def see if taxes and fees are covered but after that you may need to stick to a tight budget for some things.

I think that would definitely be cutting it close. For food, drinks, and the venue, we're around $12k (Texas). Our total will be around $25k but that's with being VERY frugal on everything else. I'm doing my own flowers, going a very inexpensive route for the cake, found a photographer that was priced significantly below average for the area, etc. It's probably DOABLE but it will be hard.

I think it’s cutting it close unless you go really frugal on everything else. I would start getting estimates on the other services first before signing a contract to get an idea on how much your going to need

Definitely doable as long as you’re counting taxes/service charge in that $21k. And tip.

What Kelly said! If the $21k includes taxes, fees, and gratuities, it might work depending on your selections for everything else. We spent $5k for photography and videography, my dress was $2500 (without alterations), almost $1,000 on flowers, a couple hundred on hair and makeup, etc... so it all adds up pretty quickly. $9k, though a lot of money, does not leave you a lot for everything else.

Its doable with taxes included

That seems reasonable to me too

View Quoted Comment Thanks everyone. Yes taxes included with $21K. We will most probably skimp on florist, etc. thinking of DIY center pieces and others.