E B
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2005
- Messages
- 9,491
ideal wedding budget?
- Thread starter E B
- Start date
- Status
AmberWaves
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 3,672
EBree, I''d love to go dress shopping, too! I have no close giflriends, and not even any gay male friends!
My future sister in law wants to go, but eh... And I don''t want to go with my mom because two reasons: 1. She''ll tell me everything looks good, and 2. The woman wears velvet pants. I mean, come on.
Ask me again when we get engaged in two months! Yay! Anyway, for our wedding, it''s going to be non-alchoholic (HUGE alchys in my family- NOT on my day!), and it''s going to be a lunchtime affair on a Sunday. That cuts the cost tons, because I never really wanted to have a Saturday night thing. I am adamant about a veil, though. Maybe I can use someone in the family''s. Hm. I should ask around... I''m thinking of a Alfrad Angelo dress, or a David''s Bridal dress. I think I will make centerpieces our of glass fish bowls (I''m sure I can find some cheap) filled with sand, candles and shells. My aunt (who just retired and is bored out of her mind) offered to help me put things together while she''s bored out of her mind, like favors and envelopes and things. If we don''t have it on a boat, my uncle offered to help us with catering (every year he makes 2 turkeys for Thanksgiving! Fried and roasted!). But the thing is, if it''s just a backyard thing, I''d have to figure out something for music, I am really wanting that first dance and father/daughter dance. I dunno!
LAJennifer
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 2,031
nicolejrx
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
- Messages
- 115
PeonyGirl,
Actually the RB Inn was the first and only place we checked out, we loved it from the moment we had our first visit. It is expensive but worth it because they include so much in their package. The Prado looks beautiful too from the pics that I have seen. How many guests are you going to be having? I don''t know much about the Thursday club.
Nicole
Actually the RB Inn was the first and only place we checked out, we loved it from the moment we had our first visit. It is expensive but worth it because they include so much in their package. The Prado looks beautiful too from the pics that I have seen. How many guests are you going to be having? I don''t know much about the Thursday club.
Nicole
peonygirl
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2005
- Messages
- 1,033
nicolejrx
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
- Messages
- 115
For all of you LA Girls,
Check out Gearys in Bev Hills for your registry. We are registering there the beg. of feb. They are so nice and you can chose when you want your gifts delivered or if you want to pick them up. It is nice so when you are on your honeymoon the packages don''t stack up! Plus they have an awesome selection of china and crystal.
Nicole
Check out Gearys in Bev Hills for your registry. We are registering there the beg. of feb. They are so nice and you can chose when you want your gifts delivered or if you want to pick them up. It is nice so when you are on your honeymoon the packages don''t stack up! Plus they have an awesome selection of china and crystal.
Nicole
nicolejrx
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
- Messages
- 115
AmberWaves
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 3,672
E B
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2005
- Messages
- 9,491
AmberWaves
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 3,672
Sounds fun! PS is the only thing keeping me sane this morning! I''m typing up some IRS forms that are in like triplicate squared, and if I make a mistake typing (on a typewriter!?) I have to redo it, but my boss only got the right number of forms, leaving no room for mistakes. My heart is racing!! Crap!
dani13
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,183
flutterby
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- May 1, 2005
- Messages
- 1,280
flopkins
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2004
- Messages
- 2,026
Hm... well I''m in SF and seriously, I''ve been pretty stressed thinking about how much we''re spending on our wedding... I think we are at about $30k right now for 150 ppl not including our second reception or honeymoon or rehearsal dinner, so in reality we are probably more like $40k.
It makes me rather ill to think of it. And to think we aren''t even paying for flowers (gift) and we got a substantial discount on our photographer... and we''re not even doing a videographer... sigh...
I swear lately I''ve been thinking this is SO not worth it and WHY IN THE WORLD DIDN''T WE DO A DESITNATION WEDDING?!! But I hope when the day comes I will be happy I did do it w/all my family and friends...
Ironically enough, FI was discussing w/his uncle about how expensive our wedding is becoming, (they''ve been married maybe 25 yrs) and he said (the uncle) that the only thing he regrets about his wedding is NOT SPENDING MORE!!!!
I am going to crawl under a rock now...
I swear lately I''ve been thinking this is SO not worth it and WHY IN THE WORLD DIDN''T WE DO A DESITNATION WEDDING?!! But I hope when the day comes I will be happy I did do it w/all my family and friends...
Ironically enough, FI was discussing w/his uncle about how expensive our wedding is becoming, (they''ve been married maybe 25 yrs) and he said (the uncle) that the only thing he regrets about his wedding is NOT SPENDING MORE!!!!
I am going to crawl under a rock now...
snlee
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2004
- Messages
- 5,891
My ideal wedding would be a destination wedding with 50 people and a 5K budget. However, that isn''t happening so it looks like it''s going to cost us 15K (not including the honeymoon) with around 160 guests. My FI has a really big family and when you have a chinese banquet it''s impossible to keep the costs down. 90% of the budget is the banquet and photography! 15K! That''s crazy. I thought people were crazy to spend so much money on a wedding (it''s ONE day!) but now I''m going to be. Thinking about that gives me a heart attack!
Tybee
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,602
NJC,
We''ve been thinking the same way you have. I didn''t include my dress, our weddinig set, or honeymoon into our budget. Maybe that will make me feel more sane. I also haven''t included our airline tickets to get to our location.
Honestly, whoever said that the whole thing makes them feel nauseous, I''m with you. The thought of spending so much money on one day is really frightening.
We live in Atlanta, and were originally planning on having our wedding here with a (laughable) budget of about 7-10,000. The stupid reality is that we know too many people who we would feel obligated to invite if we had our wedding here. (My FI and I met playing ultimate frisbee here in Atlanta. The league here is HUGE and people are really close, it''s a slippery slope when you start asking people. We''ve been playing in this league for YEARS and have played with a lot of really fun/great people--You sort of has that "summer camp" closeness when you play on a team with someone,) There was no way we could have even a "casual wedding" for that amount of money.
So, we decided to have a destination wedding. The good news is that the location is so beautiful that it makes we want to cry, and that we can really cut our list down a lot. The bad news is that it really didn''t save us a whole lot of money. Luckily my dear father is going to pay for the wedding, and help my brothers fly down there. My dad''s costs are looking like 25,000. Fi and I are playing for the ceremony/reception site fee--and obviously, my dress, his clothes, our tickets, our hotel rooms etc.
Oh money...what a pain in the a$$ you are!
LaurenThePartier
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Messages
- 10,100
We're just now starting to plan, and our actual wedding is less than 7 weeks away!
We're having our wedding at the Bellagio in March for about 30 people, and my parents are hosting a reception at a family friend's house afterwards. I have no idea what their costs are yet, but for the wedding itself and transportation to Las Vegas, we've already spent $3k, My dress was another $500, and I have yet to get it altered or buy shoes or jewelry. I can't even begin to imagine rings, mostly because we don't have the e-ring yet, so I can't start looking for a matching wedding ring until it arrives. Photography is included, but we're having another family fried take additional pictures after the wedding at the friend's house - she backs up to a gorgeous greenway and views of the mountains.
Then in July, my parents are hosting a party in Reno for my family, and that will be about 75-100 people (Mom is the oldest of 10 kids and I'm extremely close to her side).
I would say for both receptions, the costs could come out to the low side of $10k. The good news is, our honeymoon to the Four Seasons in Nevis is FREE!
We're having our wedding at the Bellagio in March for about 30 people, and my parents are hosting a reception at a family friend's house afterwards. I have no idea what their costs are yet, but for the wedding itself and transportation to Las Vegas, we've already spent $3k, My dress was another $500, and I have yet to get it altered or buy shoes or jewelry. I can't even begin to imagine rings, mostly because we don't have the e-ring yet, so I can't start looking for a matching wedding ring until it arrives. Photography is included, but we're having another family fried take additional pictures after the wedding at the friend's house - she backs up to a gorgeous greenway and views of the mountains.
Then in July, my parents are hosting a party in Reno for my family, and that will be about 75-100 people (Mom is the oldest of 10 kids and I'm extremely close to her side).
I would say for both receptions, the costs could come out to the low side of $10k. The good news is, our honeymoon to the Four Seasons in Nevis is FREE!
sunkist
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,964
LaurenThePartier
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Messages
- 10,100
Date: 1/21/2006 1:40:37 PM
Author: sunkist
Wait... Nevis?!!? Correct me if I''m wrong, but isn''t that in the Caribbean!?!? How''d you get a trip like that for FREE???
Yup - http://fourseasons.com/nevis/index.html
My fiance''s company has an all expenses paid incentive trip if they make their numbers, and they did! Yay!
sunkist
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,964
LaurenThePartier
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Messages
- 10,100
Seriously, I feel very blessed.Date: 1/24/2006 12:01:48 AM
Author: sunkist
Wow. All I can say Lauren is you''re the luckiest!
Hey did someone say something about an LA get together? I''m in! Even though I have no sparklies to show or dresses to shop for yet
Also, I''ll probably be moving to LA next year, but I''ll have to let you ladies know when I''ll be out that way - probably sometime this summer. I really think we need a GTG forum.
TravelingGal
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2004
- Messages
- 17,193
Interesting and helpful thread...thanks to everyone for sharing their budgets.
I am also from L.A., and although I haven't really started planning, I can certainly see that L.A. is no easy town to get married in. But sometimes, I wonder if it isn't really the area's prices (like NYC for example), but the social expectation of what a wedding in these big metropolitan areas should be like?
We have tentatively set our date, and it's really got me thinking about the logistics of all of this. We are even in a more difficult position planning wise because my boyfriend (yes, boyfriend, not fiance, as we are not formally engaged and I am not caring of that part/ring etc.) is from Australia and we have to get his family over here. Tickets alone cost them about $2,000 AUD a piece....a LOT to ask of someone, and we want to pitch in for that and their accomodations.
So a frugal wedding is key for us. I guess it helps that I think that it should be a nice day of celebration, but that I don't have to be a princess for a day with a limo, attendants, etc. (Mind you, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a princess for the day!). So I won't have any bridesmaids, and I think my girlfriends will actually be happy with that as they can come, relax and enjoy the day! The biggest thing is culling the guest list...and it seems that in L.A., there are always tons of people I could invite. But when I really think hard of who is nearest and dearest to my heart, there truly aren't that many people. I would be willing to bet that 50% of most people's list are out of social obligation (coworkers, parent's friends, etc) and not the ones who would travel away to attend your wedding. I'm using that as a guide and inviting the ones that I know would travel for me, even though they will not have to.
So if we keep the entire list to 49 people, we can get married on an L.A. county beach with no permit, therefore entirely free. Might get some beach towels as party favors so people can sit down instead of stand.
Since his family will be here anyway on vacation, we will do it Friday midday to save money, and my guests have already told me that I am important to them and they don't mind taking a half day off from work (fortunately most of them work from home!). I'm thinking of a reception at a restaurant, beer and wine only, and not doing in the much of decor or dancing (it's midday anyway). The restaurant can do a late privatelunch just for our group (it's a very small restaurant and cozy). Later on that evening, if budget permits, anyone still lingering will be invited to continue partying somewhere in town.
I also am in the video editing business, so if someone can shoot the footage, I can make it look decent with the editing!
Hopefully, with all of this we can come in way under 10K here in L.A., but only time will tell.
I am also from L.A., and although I haven't really started planning, I can certainly see that L.A. is no easy town to get married in. But sometimes, I wonder if it isn't really the area's prices (like NYC for example), but the social expectation of what a wedding in these big metropolitan areas should be like?
We have tentatively set our date, and it's really got me thinking about the logistics of all of this. We are even in a more difficult position planning wise because my boyfriend (yes, boyfriend, not fiance, as we are not formally engaged and I am not caring of that part/ring etc.) is from Australia and we have to get his family over here. Tickets alone cost them about $2,000 AUD a piece....a LOT to ask of someone, and we want to pitch in for that and their accomodations.
So a frugal wedding is key for us. I guess it helps that I think that it should be a nice day of celebration, but that I don't have to be a princess for a day with a limo, attendants, etc. (Mind you, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a princess for the day!). So I won't have any bridesmaids, and I think my girlfriends will actually be happy with that as they can come, relax and enjoy the day! The biggest thing is culling the guest list...and it seems that in L.A., there are always tons of people I could invite. But when I really think hard of who is nearest and dearest to my heart, there truly aren't that many people. I would be willing to bet that 50% of most people's list are out of social obligation (coworkers, parent's friends, etc) and not the ones who would travel away to attend your wedding. I'm using that as a guide and inviting the ones that I know would travel for me, even though they will not have to.
So if we keep the entire list to 49 people, we can get married on an L.A. county beach with no permit, therefore entirely free. Might get some beach towels as party favors so people can sit down instead of stand.
Since his family will be here anyway on vacation, we will do it Friday midday to save money, and my guests have already told me that I am important to them and they don't mind taking a half day off from work (fortunately most of them work from home!). I'm thinking of a reception at a restaurant, beer and wine only, and not doing in the much of decor or dancing (it's midday anyway). The restaurant can do a late privatelunch just for our group (it's a very small restaurant and cozy). Later on that evening, if budget permits, anyone still lingering will be invited to continue partying somewhere in town.I also am in the video editing business, so if someone can shoot the footage, I can make it look decent with the editing!
Hopefully, with all of this we can come in way under 10K here in L.A., but only time will tell.
Skylah
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2006
- Messages
- 165
I''m from San Francisco but I recently moved to Redondo Beach.
We''ll be getting married in Los Angeles and we''re having a formal Armenian wedding with at least 300 guests. I''m pretty scared about the budget as I will be starting law school in the fall at the age of 32. I am hoping we can do this for 40K but that might be wishful thinking.
I''d love to meet with the LA girls, too. My close friends are scattered all over and I need some dress shopping pals! Count me in!
We''ll be getting married in Los Angeles and we''re having a formal Armenian wedding with at least 300 guests. I''m pretty scared about the budget as I will be starting law school in the fall at the age of 32. I am hoping we can do this for 40K but that might be wishful thinking.
I''d love to meet with the LA girls, too. My close friends are scattered all over and I need some dress shopping pals! Count me in!
snow_happy
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Messages
- 546
Hello
My FI and I are also in Los Angeles and MAN it is expensive. We are doing our best though to keep costs down but good vendors just seem to cost more
. Our guest list is about 250 people and originally our budget was 15K but is probably more like 20K. It doesn''t include everything though since his aunt is doing our flowers, my mom is paying for my qipao...but we are paying the rest.
I don''t know, sometimes I get down about the money thing since we have to forego some really awesome sounding snowboarding trips and dinners/movies out on the town in order to save for the wedding..but I know it will be such a fun wedding! In a way, I will be glad when it''s over.
My ideal wedding budget would have been about 25-30K probably but since my FI and I are paying for it all we are cutting out things like guest favors in lieu of having things like...an open bar. In the end, what you have is what you have and it will still be wonderful Anyways, the point is to marry the man right?!
My FI and I are also in Los Angeles and MAN it is expensive. We are doing our best though to keep costs down but good vendors just seem to cost more
I don''t know, sometimes I get down about the money thing since we have to forego some really awesome sounding snowboarding trips and dinners/movies out on the town in order to save for the wedding..but I know it will be such a fun wedding! In a way, I will be glad when it''s over.
My ideal wedding budget would have been about 25-30K probably but since my FI and I are paying for it all we are cutting out things like guest favors in lieu of having things like...an open bar. In the end, what you have is what you have and it will still be wonderful
Anyways, the point is to marry the man right?!
LollyBear
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2005
- Messages
- 690
Another LA lady here. I kept it simple and as small as I could at 100 guests (wanted MUCH smaller) and I still spent around 20K (not including rings & HM). LA can be terribly pricey. As soon as a vendor hears the W-word, costs quadruple for the same services.
Ebree & AmberWaves - If you ever need someone to shop with, I''m your woman. I NEVER get tired of looking at wedding stuff. I''ll have been married for 6 months on the 17th and I haven''t completely gotten it out of my system. I''m even trying to talk my DH into do a vow renewal for our 1st anniversary just so I can buy another dress. I''m totally crazy. Good thing he loves me enough to put up with it.
Ebree & AmberWaves - If you ever need someone to shop with, I''m your woman. I NEVER get tired of looking at wedding stuff. I''ll have been married for 6 months on the 17th and I haven''t completely gotten it out of my system. I''m even trying to talk my DH into do a vow renewal for our 1st anniversary just so I can buy another dress. I''m totally crazy. Good thing he loves me enough to put up with it.
OMG! Where do you guys live that you can find food so cheap? From the bit of posts that I''ve been browsing, the places appear to be nice, and the food sounds fantastic. I kinda feel like I''m getting geographically ripped off, but in my area everyone says it''s a good deal. I had a hard time finding a place that I wanted that was under $100 a plate. I did find a wonderful place for around $60-70 a plate...it does include the cake, 5 hours of open bar, and a separate cocktail room though. Does this sound about right to you girls?
firebirdgold
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,216
Yes, I''m not officially on this board yet.
I am sooo glad this thread got revived. I was just contemplating the idea of having our wedding in Malibu, since it would be so convient. My parents have several friends with beautiful houses overlooking the beach, which would be free. And the combination of LAX, and having grown up there, was making sound tempting.
Until I heard everyone complaining about how overpriced LA is! Ack! And it''s also making me think twice about San Diego, another top option.
I''m lucky in that my parents will be paying for the wedding, so I won''t really have an upper limit budget. But I''d feel far too guilty if we spent much over 12k for a small wedding. We''re only going to have at most 30-40 guests, anyway.
I am sooo glad this thread got revived. I was just contemplating the idea of having our wedding in Malibu, since it would be so convient. My parents have several friends with beautiful houses overlooking the beach, which would be free. And the combination of LAX, and having grown up there, was making sound tempting.
Until I heard everyone complaining about how overpriced LA is! Ack! And it''s also making me think twice about San Diego, another top option.
I''m lucky in that my parents will be paying for the wedding, so I won''t really have an upper limit budget. But I''d feel far too guilty if we spent much over 12k for a small wedding. We''re only going to have at most 30-40 guests, anyway.
E B
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2005
- Messages
- 9,491
People can have weddings anywhere for an affordable sum. People in NY complaining about having to spend $60k because it's NY are no doubt having a $60k wedding (300 guests, fancy food, thousands in florals, etc.). If you shop around LA, you can find some pretty good deals and keep costs down by DIY. You in particular are in a good situation because you're only looking at a wedding with 30-40 guests. That makes it much easier to keep costs down!Date: 3/10/2006 12:33:42 PM
Author: Wren
Yes, I'm not officially on this board yet.
I am sooo glad this thread got revived. I was just contemplating the idea of having our wedding in Malibu, since it would be so convient. My parents have several friends with beautiful houses overlooking the beach, which would be free. And the combination of LAX, and having grown up there, was making sound tempting.
Until I heard everyone complaining about how overpriced LA is! Ack! And it's also making me think twice about San Diego, another top option.
I'm lucky in that my parents will be paying for the wedding, so I won't really have an upper limit budget. But I'd feel far too guilty if we spent much over 12k for a small wedding. We're only going to have at most 30-40 guests, anyway.
selflove
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Messages
- 972
Funny how this thread has moved in the direction of "How to Have a Budget Wedding in LA"!
I''m down, too, to dress shop with EBree and Amber!!
Lillei--are you in LA? I think $60-70 for meal, open bar and cake is a phenomenal price! Our''s is about $66pp with food, wine&beer, cake, and all the extras like bartender, valet parking (required!), dance floor, etc. But $66 is before the service charge and before the tax.
Snow_happy and TravelingGal--looking forward to meeting you at the next LA get together!
I''m down, too, to dress shop with EBree and Amber!!
Lillei--are you in LA? I think $60-70 for meal, open bar and cake is a phenomenal price! Our''s is about $66pp with food, wine&beer, cake, and all the extras like bartender, valet parking (required!), dance floor, etc. But $66 is before the service charge and before the tax.
Snow_happy and TravelingGal--looking forward to meeting you at the next LA get together!
flutterby
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- May 1, 2005
- Messages
- 1,280
I am more than happy to help go dress shopping with you all. I also really need a veil...I want a short french netted one, I hear Erica Koesler has an outlet here,not sure where.
I didnt even really look into prices of a wedding here, but I know for my wedding at the Four Seasons in Vegas I WISH it was $66 for food alone, let alone drink. The meal (not cocktail hour) is at $94pp! Which is why there are only gong to 50 guests and NO kids!
Caribou
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 1,226
I think I already chimed but I have more to add.
Our budget is $5k, we''ve booked the ceremony/reception site....the cost of the chapel, the food ($15pp), the beer/wine, the hall cost our reception will cost no more than $3k. We are having a lunch buffet, which is the reason for the cheap food cost. $2k, I will make work.....I''m doing everything pretty simple so it shouldn''t be a problem.
Oh and this doesn''t include the honeymoon.
Our budget is $5k, we''ve booked the ceremony/reception site....the cost of the chapel, the food ($15pp), the beer/wine, the hall cost our reception will cost no more than $3k. We are having a lunch buffet, which is the reason for the cheap food cost. $2k, I will make work.....I''m doing everything pretty simple so it shouldn''t be a problem.
Oh and this doesn''t include the honeymoon.
- Status
300x240.png)