When I originally thought about our somewhat meager budget, I didn't think it would be THAT big of a deal to fit everything in... but then, with the help of some internet sources, I did some calculations and got a little nervous... (I REALLY shouldn't have done all this at 11:30 last night... I was up half the night thinking about it).
I found this Wedding Budget Worksheet that shows an idea of what percentage of your budget should go toward each of the (apparently numerous) expenses. As well as a free download-able spreadsheet to input your expected costs and your actual expenses (Yes, I realize that I am somewhat overly organized... but it's only going to help in the end, right?). After doing this I see that I have exactly $45 to buy "gifts" for 10 people (I have put bride-groom gifts to the wayside at this point). So... if you're in my wedding party, I need to know what kind of cookies you like! lol (Holly has already put in an order for peanut butter lol).
I've never been a big "do it yourself" type of person... but it looks like I may need to figure some stuff out pretty quick! lol I read an article online about a women who tried to barter for her wedding on craigslist... she posted an add talking about her circumstances and how she really wanted a nice wedding day for herself and that she was willing to trade her services in home design/repair for wedding expenses... the next day she had a DJ, a videographer, and a guitar player for the ceremony! Maybe I should give that a try! lol
Don't listen to those crazy wedding websites! A budget tool can be nice, but sometimes completely unrealistic. 1/3 of our budget was spent on our photographer. 1/3 on food drinks. 1/3 on everything else. No "transportation" budget. No hair/makeup budget. No cake budget (ours was made by family).
And while I'm thinking about budget, you should totally use mason jars for your sunflowers. I realized about halfway through our wedding planning that if Nick and I had just been saving our old pasta sauce jars we would've had enough for all of our tables!
Mason Jars... that's a good idea... I'll have to remember that. I was kind of thinking along the same lines and was looking at those glass canisters for, like, pasta and other dried foods/ingredients. Great minds think alike! =)
You can do a wedding fairly inexpensively, I know I did. The most important thing is to focus on the reason why you're doing it and allow for your friends and family to make good memories. Good luck!
LOL. You're pretty good with Craigslist so I wouldn't doubt you'd find some good deals. lol.
ReplyDeleteI'll help you with any DIY projects if you need... Course it would have to be stuff that is easily shipped... lol. Just let me know!
Oh and I vote for chocolate chip cookies!!! teehee.
Don't listen to those crazy wedding websites! A budget tool can be nice, but sometimes completely unrealistic. 1/3 of our budget was spent on our photographer. 1/3 on food drinks. 1/3 on everything else. No "transportation" budget. No hair/makeup budget. No cake budget (ours was made by family).
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm thinking about budget, you should totally use mason jars for your sunflowers. I realized about halfway through our wedding planning that if Nick and I had just been saving our old pasta sauce jars we would've had enough for all of our tables!
Mason Jars... that's a good idea... I'll have to remember that. I was kind of thinking along the same lines and was looking at those glass canisters for, like, pasta and other dried foods/ingredients. Great minds think alike! =)
ReplyDeleteYou can do a wedding fairly inexpensively, I know I did. The most important thing is to focus on the reason why you're doing it and allow for your friends and family to make good memories. Good luck!
ReplyDelete