Realistic Budget?

How many guests do you expect

View Quoted Comment We are planning on inviting 30 people but, since they are all close friends/family, most will likely come. I think around 25-30 is most probable.

Paying extra would be worth it not to be tearing your hair out from the stress of planning a destination wedding completely from scratch, I say this as a fellow 30 guest budget bride. I’m only doing it all myself because it’s local. If it were a destination wedding oh heck no.

It depends on how much you want to do yourself. Our budget is $5000. I'm doing a lot diy, even making my own cake and cupcakes, made my centerpieces, budget shopped whenever possible. Have a friend or family member officiant for free, etc.

I would only do a destination wedding if it were all inclusive. Be careful! You don’t want to take on too much

I think it depends on what comes in your inclusive package. I had an all inclusive wedding with 34 people, and it covered reception space, ceremony space, food, and cake. We did as much as possible ourselves, and because our numbers were so small, we were able to get away with it. To give you an idea for a similar sized wedding, here's what we had:

Music was on spotify and we used a bluetooth speaker (purchased from best buy for 125), diy flowers ($60ish at trader joes, plus $20 for vases and another 20 for floral tools like tape, shears, etc), diy table numbers/signage(mini chalkboards from Michaels for $20). The officiant was $150, favors came out to 80ish? We did a sand ceremony and supplies from that were from Marry Me for approximately $40. Clothes, shoes, alterations and accessories for both of us came out to $850ish. Invites and programs were $30 from Michael's clearance, and we made our own placecards by printing on cardstock and hot gluing paper flowers ($10ish). Two lace tablecloths (thrifted from an antique store), doilies, and a small folding table came out to about 100, and we diyed a gift card box from Michael's ($10). Both our wedding bands were bought on sale/clearance for 850, and the price of a wedding license is $50 here, plud an additional $12 to get the certificate after. Postage came out to about $20. And, that was all of our expenses! Definitely doable, and since your wedding is more intimate, you can get away with a little less!

May I ask what venue? I’m getting married in Orlando

View Quoted Comment Paradise Cove! We haven't made the deposit yet but should be doing so within the next day or two.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for the info! I love the idea of DIY stuff but worried about damaging things in transport if I do it here/fly it with me. Favors and invitations are obviously doable, though. I'll have to check our Michaels!

View Quoted Comment I'm definitely already leaning towards more inclusive. It's a 2 hr flight from me so it's not like I wouldn't be able to go down one or two weekends beforehand, but there is only so much I can tackle from 10 states away!

I’ve been there before. It’s beautiful

View Quoted Comment Ugh that's good to hear! We've been quoted $9,200 and, since I sent it, we've upped our probable guest count from 25 to 30 people, meaning it will only go up more. Definitely stressed and having second doubts about booking the venue now.

Does that includes decoration ?