Top 3-5 splurges

1. Photog
2. Food
3. DJ

Photography/Videography
Food/Booze
Guest Experience

1. Photography
2. Videography
3. Food/Drink

I tried to find the best prices for each of my vendors of course some were more expensive than others, but I don’t consider any of them splurges. But I did splurge on a few things I didn’t necessarily need.
My biggest financial splurge was on gold chiavari chairs for the reception and uplights. My other splurges weren’t really expensive: 2nd outfit for reception, gold chargers, and backdrop for sweetheart table.

I forgot to add my biggest focus was on decor.

1. Food. I am a foodie and I want lots of great food. I want a variety so that all of my guests get something they really like, and I want it served in a memorable way - small plates, unique presentations. I plan to eat a little bit of everything, since I actually ended up not eating one single bite of my food at our wedding. Food is currently about 25% of our budget.

2. Videography and photography. Putting a lot of work into a beautiful event, so I want it well documented. Between them, about 15% of the budget.

3. Decor. I skimped majorly on this at my wedding, and while I don't regret that, now that I'm better off, I'm going for it. About 10-15% of the budget.

4. Music. Hiring a live band. 10% of the budget.

5. Attire/Beauty. 5% of the budget. I work hard for my shape and want an absolutely knockout dress and want a professional makeup artist there to not only do my makeup/hair at the start, but to stay and freshen it all up before the reception.

Honorable mention: second honeymoon. I have an "overall" budget that includes this, and a "vow renewal only" budget that doesn't. (The percentages above are "renewal only" budget based. They all go down if I include our second honeymoon.) This is the biggest expense overall, because I want a once-in-a-lifetime type trip.

View Quoted Comment

What defines guest experience for you?

Food/Drink
Photography
Decor

Our priorities were:


Food/DrinkMusicLocation

We splurged on food, drink, live band, flowers, and photography

1. Venue. We wanted our venue to be an experience for guests and were set on outside. The venue we found was more than we wanted to spend but it’s perfect.


2. Food/alcohol. We knew that would be a big part of the budget regardless. We made sure the menu is things we both enjoy. The alcohol we are doing all from a local brewery and a local distillery. The brewery has great significance in our relationship so we wanted to incorporate them somehow.
3. A wedding planner. It wasn’t originally in the budget, I was going to do it all myself. However, we quickly realized that between work, school, a sports league, general life, and then wedding planning I would be stretched too thin.

View Quoted Comment We are splurging on experiences for our guests, such as interactive hors d’oeuvres stations during cocktail hour, live painting artist, photo booth, and a tequila bar with a catadores

I am aiming for a budget of $5k which seems crazy when looking at what other people choose to do!


Food (40%) - Still an estimated cost but I am pretty confident in this one.
Venue cost (24%) - February on a weekday means price is a little lower but rental includes table and chair set up, Day of Coordinator, 2 parking attendants, 2 staff to help clean and take out trash, and access from 10am - 11pm the day of the event.

Dress (and alterations) (12%) - My dress was only $420 and fits most everywhere. I have $175 budgeted for the very minor alterations I need.

1. Photography and they were worth every single penny
2. Venue (which we hope we’ll get to use this fall for a reception)
3. Catering (ditto for #2)

Photography/videographer
Alcohol
Venue

1. Photography
2. Food
3. Venue

For our DW: venue, food & wine
For our local reception: entertainment (live band & Frank Sinatra impersonator)

1. Food/drink/venue

2. Photography

3. DJ

It's common for our area for venues to also be your caterers, so that's where more than half our budget went.

DW in Hawaii with about 75 guests. Not going to lie, I feel like in a sense I kind of “splurged” on lots of categories but the catering, wait staff are affordable and the venue is BYOB (bartending/serving company will mix the cocktails and serve alcohol).
Bridal party consists of only siblings (3 sisters/bridesmaids & 2 brothers/groomsmen) so that saved a TON of money (we will probably have them pay for the outfits too). This saved me money on spending so much on bridal party gifts, bouquets for bridesmaids (so expensive especially if you have more), hair/makeup ($150 each).
Looking at the budget and spending, I would say my top 3 are:#1- rentals (lounge sets, sailcloth tent, farm tables, wooden cross back chairs, classy cocktail tables and chairs, bistro and lantern lighting for tents)#2- entertainment & specialty vendors (Hawaiian fire knife dancers, photo booth, slushy stand, harp/violin for ceremony, well-known DJ)#3- photography & videography (booked a package that also included photo booth)

1. Food + drinks + desserts including the cocktail hour

2. Photography

3. DJ

4. Our Wedding bands

5. Honeymoon!