Weddingbee Blog

I’m trying to fill time between now and the time we get our pro pics back, so I figured I’d give you all our budget breakdown.

Ah, the budget.

When we first started off planning our wedding, we wanted to stick to a $10,000 budget. But we quickly discovered that that number wasn’t going to happen. We bumped it up to $15,000 but we quickly went over that as well. Weddings in Philly are expensive, period, and tented weddings are even more expensive because you have to rent everything. We could’ve saved a lot of money if we’d used a different venue, but we had the wedding we wanted. And I don’t really mind the fact that we went over budget, because I think that we spent the money fairly wisely. Sure, we could’ve had a much more affordable wedding, but we didn’t go into debt and we had no regrets.

And that’s my advice when it comes to budgeting. If it’s possible, try for no debt and no regrets. We don’t regret anything we spent money on, and we don’t regret forgoing anything we didn’t spend money on. We spent a lot of dough, but we’re okay with it.

Anyway, here’s our budget. I didn’t include our minimoon or honeymoon but I tried to include everything else.

Venue: Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $3000 plus a $500 security deposit (which we’ve gotten back so I won’t include it in the final number). This included access to all of the structures that we used, as well as use of the grounds, water, electricity, etc. It also included a site coordinator.

Caterer: Shackamaxon Catering, Bristol, PA

Cost: $5,186. But that includes a lot beyond the food, so here is a further breakdown:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages: $3,159
• Table and chair rentals: $394
• Linens, Glasses, China, Silverware: $60
• Staff, Set-up and Delivery: $1,573

Dessert: Small Indulgences, Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Cost: $144. Bridesmaid J did our cupcakes for a steal. She’s the best.

Rentals: Ocean Tents, Mount Laurel, NJ

Cost: $1720. Here’s the further breakdown:

• Tent and set-up: $1120
• Chinese Lanterns and set-up: $600

DJ: My friend Josh, Philadelphia PA

Cost: $400. Josh DJs for a living but gave us an amazing deal. We’d never be able to find a wedding DJ for that cheap. Go friendors!

Flowers: Special Moments by Sydney, Palmyra, NJ

Cost: $675. We didn’t have any ceremony flowers or bouquets, so this was only for reception flowers, set-up and delivery.

Flower Alternatives: Brooch bouquet (DIY) and bridesmaid fans from AsianIdeas

Cost: $180. The breakdown:

• Brooches and supplies for brooch bouquet: $150
• Fans: $10 each for a total of $30

Alcohol: DIY

Cost: $600. Mr. S’ father bought most of our booze out in the midwest where it is way cheaper, and our wine was a gift from Mr. S’ brother, who is a wine and liquor rep. So our booze was a steal, y’all.

Transportation: Philly Transportation Company, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $375. We got a school bus to take the bridal party and close family from the hotel to the venue and back.

Photographer: Morrissey Photo, Lambertville, NJ

Cost: $1700. This included two photographers for eight hours on our wedding day and an engagement session. We haven’t ordered any prints or albums yet so nothing is included there. The trick to getting them at such a good price is that we booked them when they were just starting out and their prices were looooow. Now they cost much much more (as they should - they kick ass)!

Bridal Attire: BHLDN, Zappos, Ms. Stripes, Fashion Stitch

Cost: $790. The breakdown:

• Dress: $450
• Alterations: $100
• Bolero: $150
• Shoes: $70
• Earrings: $70
• Necklace: free, I’ve owned it and worn it for years
• Headpiece: free, my something borrowed from Ms. Stripes

Groom Attire: Syms, DSW, the Tie Bar

Cost: $340. The breakdown:

• Suit: $250
• Shoes: $70
• Tie: $20
• Shirt: free, he’s owned it for quite a while and has worn it before

Hair: Emily from Custom Exteriors Salon, Waterville, OH

Cost: Free. Emily is Mr. S’ sister-in-law and she did my hair, the three bridesmaids’ hair, and my mom’s hair for gratis. Yay!

Makeup: Courtney Law, Philadelphia PA

Cost: $340. The breakdown:

• My trial: $30
• My makeup: $150
• Bridesmaids’ and mom’s makeup: 4 each @ $40 for a total of $160

Invitations and STD’s: A Printable Press for design, Cards and Pockets for supplies, the rest DIY

Cost: $273. The breakdown:

• Paper, Envelopes, Liners $124
• Toner $60
• Moo Cards $20
• Hole Puncher $7
• Twine $7
• Label Paper $5
• STDs from Vistaprint: Free
• Postage $50

Day-Of-Coordinator: Moment to Moment Events, Palmyra, NJ

Cost: $725

Rings: Etsy

Cost: $150. the breakdown:

• Mine: $100,
• His: $50

Officiant: Our good friend Todd

Cost: free!

Marriage License: the City of Philadelphia

Cost: $90

Rehearsal Lunch: Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia PA, and Cafe 543 @ the Navy Yard, Philadelphia PA

Cost: $250. Bartram’s let us eat in their pavilion for free and our sandwiches, salads, sides and dessert cost $250 for 16 people. Not too shabby.

Bridesmaids’ Gifts: Miscellaneous

Cost: 3 people @ $80 each = $240

Groomsmen Gifts: Miscellaneous

Cost: 3 people @ $70 each = $210

Miscellaneous Decor: Fabric, Vases, Picture Frames, Chalk, Photobooth Props, etc.

Cost: Approximately $250

So, the total is (drum roll, please)…

Photo via Goozex.com

$17,638

And that’s that.

I hope that this was helpful to at least some of you, especially those of you planning a tented wedding, or those of you who are having major guilt about going over budget.

Because while every single couple’s budget situation is unique, complicated, and intensely personal, for us, it was totally worth it!