Wedding Blog

Maureen & Adam - August 16, 2008

Location: Rural Michigan
Budget: $15,000 ($10,000 gifted from bride’s parents)
# of Guests: 125

Wedding Day Costs

Ceremony Reception Site Fees/Type of Venue: $4,500/ Bride’s Childhood home (farm)- I’ve always known I would get married on their property. We had a tented reception, and the ceremony took place right on the dance floor. Very informal, but it fit our personalities. The 4,500 dollars includes: tent, chair, table, linens, flatware, dinnerware, dance floor, bar, lighting, and glassware rental fees.

Caterer/Food/Drink (per person if available): Approximately $5,000- My parents raise Black Angus cattle. For our main course we provided our caterer with several premium cuts of Angus beef ['grown' on the farm]. Guests chose what cut they wanted and it was cooked on a large grill to their specification. We also hired a local caterer who provided side dishes, vegetarian options, and fruit pies. We spent around $2,000 stocking a full bar, and appetizers were provided by a local chef.

Servers/Bartender: $500

Bridal Gown & Alterations: +$50- I found the my Nicole Miller dress on eBay for 250.00, and paid 50.00 in alterations. After the wedding, I listed it on eBay and it sold for $350 for a profit of 50 dollars (I got really lucky).

Bridal Accessories (Veil, Undergarments, Shoes, Jewelry): $200- my only accessories were shoes (that I already owned), and the Badgley Mischka blue green earrings I found at Nordstrom.

Groom’s Attire: $40- He wore a navy blue suit he already owned- we paid $40 for alterations. His accessories were purchased with a Macy’s gift card one of his mother’s friends gifted us for our wedding shower.

Stationery/Postage: $250

Photography: $1650

Ceremony Music: $0- My brother played his acoustic guitar as I walked down the aisle

Reception Music: $800

Flowers: $500- All the flowers were DIY - I ordered from fiftyflowers.com and flowersandfreshness.com

Favors: $30- My mother in law baked our favorite almond cookies and placed them small boxes. Our favors also served as seating cards.

Cake: $500-$300 for cupcakes and $200 for stand and cake topper

Officiant: $200- the Mayor of the city married us for a donation

Hair: $100 with tip

Wedding Party Gifts: $500

WEDDING DAY TOTAL: $14,220
TOTAL COST PER PERSON: 113.76

All Inclusive Costs:
Wedding Bands: $200.00

Rehearsal Dinner/Day After Brunch: $0- Gift from Groom’s family

Honeymoon: $1500- Traveled to Northern Michigan and stayed in family cottage on a lake.

ALL INCLUSIVE TOTAL: 1700.00

GRAND TOTAL: $15,720

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