Wedding Budget ($4000 MAX)

Hi Anna,

4K is doable - I'd start with changing your avatar so we can recognize you. After that, I'd take a look at the WW budget tool so you can understand where your $4k is going to be applied. :-)

Keep the guest list small.. best way! Food will cost a lot and the venue.... so i just say guest list ineeds to be SMALL. we're doing a smaller budget wedding/renewal too...we're doing an at home wedding at my sisters gorgeous house... keeping it small. 4k is a good deal of money if you plan it right! best of luck

Hi Anna, welcome to WW! Here's how to change your avatar and more :-)

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/new-to-the-weddingwire-forums-please-read-before-you-post/b433c40c1a62b96a.html

See www.costofwedding.com to get a general sense of wedding costs in your area. Then cut the guest list, drastically. I am not familiar with FL prices, but you will have a very hard time throwing any kind of a party for 200 people on 4K.

Have fun and happy planning!

Welcome to WW!

Sabrina K. is right. The best way to stay to get the most bang out of a small budget is to keep a small guest list. 200 isn't all that small Also, look for places in the budget to cut corners. You already did that with favors - your guests won't miss them. You can save money on invitations, decor, flowers, etc. by doing things yourself.

Do you have a venue yet? That might be the first thing to look for if you don't have one.

It's doable.... You might has to do somethings yourself.

Obviously the more guests there are, the more catering will cost. Definitely take advantage of any discounts you may qualify for. For example, I get military discounts because of my FH, my mother gets particular discounts from her work, and my dad gets some from AARP. And it may sound weird, but be upfront with vendors exactly how much you can spend with them. They'll appreciate the honesty and will try to work with you better if they know it.

For catering, you'll want to keep it simple. If you want to do a bar, maybe keep it a cash bar, or only beer.

What are you thinking in the way of venue? Because that's probably what'll get you in regard to price.

50, 100 and 200 guests present very different budgets. For 50? Great party, nice food and drink, a good amount of money for invites, etc.

200? Would you like fries with that?

Hi Ana ~ welcome to WW

congrats on your engagement! I think you need to stay more towards the 50 - 80 guest range if you wish to feed them more than cake and cookies. A day reception might be the best idea for you where you are having your reception in between meal times with a guest list of 200. Check out the budget tool here under "my wedding" Look at where they split up the money and move it around if it has money in a spot where you feel is unnecessary. Also, I agree, check out www.costofwedding.com to get an idea of what the average price in your area is.

Ex $4,125 budget

Hair & make-up - $80 - DIY make-up

Cake - $270 (grocery store cake? DIY cupcakes?)

Catering - $1450 food - $460 drinks (coke, punch, coffee, tea, keg? and some wine? maybe?)

DJ - $400 (find a great deal or craig's list?)

Dress & Alterations $200 (David's $99 sale, local consignment shop)

Accessories - $50 (borrow veil, slip, jewelry from family)

Groom $125 (or use a suit he already has and just get new tie?)

Flowers/Decorations $115 - pay florist to make you a really nice one and one for groom. Use hall's free centerpieces?

Invites and Stamps - $125

Rings - $50 - $25 per ring

Favors/Attendants gifts - $0

Photography $600

Officiant $200

And don't forget taxes and gratuity are usually not added in, so that is an extra cost.

And your license.

Don't skimp on photography, it is all you will have left when all is said and done.

~ good luck ~

Congrats

200 guest is way to many for the budget..even if you spent 10 a head for food..that would be 2000 dollars..and half your budget is gone..and 10 a head may get you a few apps and a cake and punch if your lucky.then you would only have 2000 left for everything else.you could have a very nice wedding for 50 people at that budget!

I'm doing a $4000, my venue was not in that, but was only $310 a day, so you could easily fit it. It is a lodge in a park.

And while many people are telling you that you'll spend a fortune on food, ours is $6.75 per person for a taco buffet. Not fancy, but good food. We have 130 people max so that's only 900. Add on simple drinks, $100 for food.

I bought my linens online, it was cheaper than renting, though I did only do chair sashes not covers.

Cake is $310 but it's not a wedding cake, but several 8" round cakes.

My photographer is $500, I used her for engagement photos so I know they'll look good.

I am also not doing flowers, but have silk ones for bridesmaid bouquets that I put together myself. That was $70 with a Michaels coupon (get these online every week!)

Use the budget tool on here, figure out things you must have, and see.

$4k is totally do-able, ours will be around $4 - 5k. You may want to rethink a 200 person guest list, though, if youre set on having it catered. The absolute lowest per person amount Ive seen for a full meal was $13.95, most were between the $18 - $20 range. Do some research in your own area, and see whats going to be feasible for you. Especially if you want a more "intimate" feel to your wedding, a smaller guest list could save you a lot.

Some venues have lower "off season" rates, as well as lower prices on non-Saturdays and during daytime hours. You could do several small cakes or a cupcake tower in lieu of a large wedding cake. You could opt for an iPod playlist instead of a DJ. I wouldnt suggest cutting corners on photography, but if you know any photographers, they may be willing to give you a deal

My budget is similar. I am diying a lot of things. We are getting married at home. We are lucky living on a small farm. I have also found friends are happy to help out. One is even catering for us which cut costs. Think outside the box and you can find more for your money.

Hi Anna. My aunt and unxle spent 2000 on their wedding which i dont understand was possible because they had so much stuff at the wedding. They had 3 people in the wedding party on both sides and they all recieved gifts so i would say 4k is very good.

Hi! I'm looking for a venue in the area of a beach in NYC where I can have my dream wedding for my girlfriend. Our budget is $10,000.00. If anyone have information please share it with us. Thanks in advance

A pop up wedding is great to think about. One stop shop, just show up, you and guest. Plan and simple, but beautiful at the same time!!!