Meerkats’ Mexico Budget

Meerkats’ Mexico Budget

September 7th, 2011 @ 10:46 am by Mrs. Meerkat
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At first I wasn’t sure I was even going to write this post. I would hate for anyone who stumbled across our budget to think that all destination weddings have similar costs. I am not going to lie, we splurged on a few things we really wanted. So please take our budget with a grain of salt.

Now for the breakdown. Originally our budget was $10k but as we went along, like most couples, we found a few things here and there that we decided to splurge a bit more on than originally planned (*cough* my dress *cough*). Eventually we settled on a $15k budget which to this day I am really happy with. Compared to the $28k it would have cost us back here in Michigan, Mr. Meerkat and I both felt we got a lot of bang for our buck.

Del Sol Photography

Mrs. Meerkat’s Attire - $1624

My dress was one of the items we splurged on. I had planned to buy something simple and low cost but when I tried this dress on I fell in love. I tried on over 100 dresses before I found this one but when I put it on I actually started jumping up and down with excitement. I told Mr. Meerkat I wasn’t going to buy it because of cost, he told me to go right back to the store and order it, which resulted in a happy bride and our first budget increase.

Wedding dress: $1250
Alterations: $84
Custom Painted Shoes: $91
Hair flowers: $15
Necklace: $40
Bracelet: $25
Hair: $0 (gift from a friend)
Makeup: $0 (gift from a friend)
Manicure: & Pedicure $79
Wedding Band: $40

Del Sol Photography

Mr. Meerkat’s Attire - $489

Bridal Party Gifts - $380

Groomsman - Mexican Liquor (x2): $70
Bridesmaids - Leather Makeup Case and Bracelet (x2): $90
Moms - Necklace and Handkerchief (x2): $220

Misc - $332

Invitations (x100): $125
Bouquet & Pocket Photo Frames: $45
3 Parasols: $55
Suitcase Purses: $65
Out Of Town Bags: $0 (Thanks to Mama-In-Law Meerkat)
Guestbook: $42

Photography, Videography & Trash the Dress Session - $7125

Here is another area we splurged. We booked both Sol and our videographer for an additional two hours and added a trash the dress session. This was one of the bigger reasons we had to increase our budget but I can honestly say it was the best money we spent. The photos and memories we got from Del Sol are worth their weight in gold.

Rehearsal Dinner: $0 (Included in Resort Stay)

Cost really wasn’t a factor on this one as Mama-In-Law Meerkat wanted to host this for us. But it just didn’t make sense to head off property when the restaurants at the resort offered to host it for us for free. We made the right decision. The food was amazing and totally free!

Del Sol Photography

Ceremony (Al Cielo Hotel) - $2731

Booking Al Cielo for our ceremony comes in #2 on the what I would do again list (right behind booking Del Sol). Everything was just perfect, they treated us like royalty, and the setting was beyond amazing. There were a few things I added in like the vases with bamboo and the root balls which added to the budget increase.

Transportation To/From Resort: $120
Al Cielo Venue Fee & Cocktail Hour: $1,500
- Included palm leaves and petals for aisle, benches, chuppah, welcome drinks, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and bathroom decor
Additional Decor: $444
Bridal Bouquet: $90
Outside Wedding Coordinator: $500
Engraved Sandalwood Fans: $31.25
Programs: $35
Shell Ring Bowl: $10.75

Del Sol Photography

Reception (La Laguna @ Grand Palladium Resort) - $2766

The food was delicious and the drinks free flowing. They even setup a station for everyone to have flaming Mayan coffee. And our DJ, Bijan, kept the party going all night.

Venue Fee: $0
Four Course Dinner ($60 x 25): $1500
Alcohol: $0 (included)
Flowers: $325
Cake With Flowers Added: $104
Cake Toppers: $55
DJ: $600
Favors: $90
Menus, Signs & Cork Stands: $22
Meerkat Statue: $70

TOTAL: $15,447

So there you have it, the Meerkats’ Mexico budget. We came in $447 over budget, but for us that is pretty darn close!

How are you doing with your budget? Are you close to your goal? Over or under?

Tags: budget, riviera-maya |

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28 Responses to “Meerkats’ Mexico Budget”

1 2 Last

Member

paw (message) 379 posts, Helper bee

Thanks for the budget breakdown! Unrelated to budgets, I love that first pic of you!

9/7/11 @ 10:55 am (reply)

Member

PurpleUnicorn (message) 6,168 posts, Bee Keeper

that’s great! i did pretty much the exact same as you!!! i had a $10K budget, splurged on my dress big time and a couple of other things here and there….then together with my AHR, we came out even at $15K! and i tell people the same as you - DWs CAN be much cheaper, its all in what you decide to spend your money on.

9/7/11 @ 11:10 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Parasol (message) 2,132 posts, Buzzing bee

Thanks for sharing this, Meerkat! I’m so glad I’m not the only bride who decided to splurge on a few things–photography and my dress included!

9/7/11 @ 11:11 am (reply)

Guest

Zusie

Thank you for sharing this, I know that talking about money can be stressful, but it is so helpful.

What I am wondering is? A custom suit for $175?!

I will have to reread your posts to figure out how you did that.

9/7/11 @ 11:30 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

@Zusie: Suit AND vest. We got it from studiosuits.com. I wrote a full review here: http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/09/21/menswear-suits-and-accessories/

9/7/11 @ 11:32 am (reply)

Member

PurpleUnicorn (message) 6,168 posts, Bee Keeper

@Mrs. Meerkat: lol, we got Mr. Unicorn’s suit from studio suits as well! they are fantastic!

9/7/11 @ 11:35 am (reply)

Bee

Ms. Gazelle (message) 994 posts, Busy bee

I always like seeing a budget breakdown. Your wedding was amazing. I so enjoyed following along. And seriously, your photographers for both the wedding and the TTD were out of this world. Definitely worth the splurge!!

9/7/11 @ 11:47 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Elephant (message) 6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

Your wedding was beautiful!! Thanks for the breakdown.

9/7/11 @ 12:00 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Hyena (message) 1,881 posts, Buzzing bee

Have to say, your dress was worth every penny! Still one of my favorite dresses after all this time.

9/7/11 @ 12:19 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

kcroxyoursox

Thanks for the breakdown. Just curious why you didn’t include or mention your travel fees?

9/7/11 @ 12:33 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Mrs. Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

@kcroxyoursox: We didn’t actually add this into our wedding budget since we had that set aside as part of our “honeymoon”. I think for the off season flights we paid $800 and for 10 nights in the VIP section we paid $2400.

9/7/11 @ 12:36 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,174 posts, Honey bee

Great breakdown MK! Really making me wish we had gone this route right about now…:)

9/7/11 @ 12:50 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

Kate

Thanks for sharing this - your wedding was so beautiful and I think you got a great deal on everything!
And I have to say, your splurge number 2, on the ceremony location, was so, so worth it. I have never ever seen a mexico destination beach wedding look so beautiful - and private!!! Normally there are other people all around in the photos, staring at the couple getting married - you two and your guests look like you’re in your own little world. Magic!
Congrats.

9/7/11 @ 12:52 pm (reply)

14.

Member

xtatic1 (message) 778 posts, Busy bee

Wow, you guys got quite a bang for your buck! I always assumed a destination wedding would be fairly close to a wedding here at home. AND you get to go somewhere beautiful! Great job Mrs. M!

9/7/11 @ 1:50 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. Sushi (message) 1,479 posts, Bumble bee

I might be a bit biased, but I have a love for destination wedding budgets. Sooo glad you decided to share yours! And awesome job staying close to budget!

9/7/11 @ 2:03 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Mrs. Ostrich (message) 1,948 posts, Buzzing bee

Your wedding was off the charts, M. And for $15k? I’m beyond impressed.

9/7/11 @ 2:10 pm (reply)

17.

Member

Coffee cup (message) 1,839 posts, Buzzing bee

I loved the pictures, what a beautiful dress!!
As for the budget, I’m Mexican so I know $15k might not sound like a lot, but translated into pesos it’s about $160,000!! an amount people’s not usually able to pay for a wedding here. So of course you were paying for an AMAZING experience, so I’m glad you’re happy with your experience. Besides the Riviera it’s a magical place.
So hopefully your experience will show other brides how affordable it’s to not just have a destination wedding, but going on your honeymoon or just visiting Mexico..

9/7/11 @ 2:27 pm (reply)

18.

Member

Soon to be Mrs. C (message) 35 posts, Newbee

Your wedding was beautiful! I’m slightly jealous - I wanted to have a destination wedding but we decided to have a traditional wedding. How many guests did you have?

9/7/11 @ 3:01 pm (reply)

19.

Bee

Mrs. Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

@Coffee cup: When we first started getting prices I was really amazing at far our money went. And I have to agree that the Riviera Maya is magical. I can’t wait to get back there.