Wedding Update for July
VENUE
FREE. His parents' backyard.
TABLES & CHAIRS
His mother made the reservation, and put down a deposit. I have no idea what she agreed to pay, but I estimated $600. Hope I was right.
TENT
FREE. His parents own a tent, and a friend is also letting us borrow one.
PARKING
FREE. Street parking. The lot we wanted was unavailable.
OFFICIANT
The minister never got back to me. My boyfriend's cousin volunteered to become ordained and do the ceremony for free. We agreed, but are insisting on paying him $300. We were willing to pay that to a stranger, after all, and you don't screw family.
INVITATIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Custom made! Ended up costing $670 (including postage) when HE needed more for his friends. Originally budgeted at $300, but these were really important to me, so I decided it was worth it to spend more.
DRESS
FREE. Using a dress I already own!
FLOWERS
None.
CENTERPIECES
Floating candles in mason jars. Originally budgeted the centerpieces for $200, but the total came to $138.
FAVORS
None.
CATERING
We're using a family friend's restaurant. It will cost us $8/person. We have $1,080 budgeted.
CAKE
Sheet cake from Costco. Can't imagine it will be more than $200. Probably less!
WEDDING PARTY
None.
MAKEUP/HAIR
From the salon's price list, I estimate my hair appointment and the trial will run $200 with tip. Still not sure if I'm doing my own makeup. The professional makeup artist I know is unavailable.
RINGS
FREE.
PHOTOGRAPHER
We've played a lot of phone tag with a professional photographer, but haven't been able to meet with him to discuss packages & prices. Our maximum is $750.
BRIDAL SHOWER
Coming up! Organized and paid for by his mother. Presents are starting to arrive in the mail. We've gotten our dish set, wine glasses, vacuum, and a lamp.
In more humorous news, I have two crazy aunts, neither of whom are attending the wedding. One told my mother she's packing a box of things she hopes we can use; the other is sending a gift with my parents, but won't reveal its nature. My mother has ascertained that this gift is: 1) breakable, 2) partially metal, 3) may be engraved with our names 4) worth close to a thousand dollars, 5) fits in a 7" x 7" box. This aunt told her it can't be mailed because it can't be insured. My mother has been instructed to take it with her on the plane, but not to let any of the screeners see it!!! It must be in her purse, and she must carry her purse on her lap during the flight. No, she can't take it with when she comes for the shower, nor can we pick it up at Christmas, because "it's for the WEDDING".
ALCOHOL
We're doing wine from Costco and beer kegs from Binny's. I have $1,000 budgeted, but am hoping for $700-ish.
MISCELLANY
We expect $320 in ice, tablecloths, plastic cups, etc.
CONTINGENCY
10% or $500. Just in case I've forgotten something. Just in case there's a delivery fee I didn't notice. Just in case my mother-in-law agreed to a higher price on the chairs & tables than I budgeted.
TOTAL: $5,800. So far. What do you think? Too much? Too little? I read that the average wedding in America costs $27,000. If we measure by that standard (ridiculous), then we're doing quite well.
FREE. His parents' backyard.
TABLES & CHAIRS
His mother made the reservation, and put down a deposit. I have no idea what she agreed to pay, but I estimated $600. Hope I was right.
TENT
FREE. His parents own a tent, and a friend is also letting us borrow one.
PARKING
FREE. Street parking. The lot we wanted was unavailable.
OFFICIANT
The minister never got back to me. My boyfriend's cousin volunteered to become ordained and do the ceremony for free. We agreed, but are insisting on paying him $300. We were willing to pay that to a stranger, after all, and you don't screw family.
INVITATIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Custom made! Ended up costing $670 (including postage) when HE needed more for his friends. Originally budgeted at $300, but these were really important to me, so I decided it was worth it to spend more.
DRESS
FREE. Using a dress I already own!
FLOWERS
None.
CENTERPIECES
Floating candles in mason jars. Originally budgeted the centerpieces for $200, but the total came to $138.
FAVORS
None.
CATERING
We're using a family friend's restaurant. It will cost us $8/person. We have $1,080 budgeted.
CAKE
Sheet cake from Costco. Can't imagine it will be more than $200. Probably less!
WEDDING PARTY
None.
MAKEUP/HAIR
From the salon's price list, I estimate my hair appointment and the trial will run $200 with tip. Still not sure if I'm doing my own makeup. The professional makeup artist I know is unavailable.
RINGS
FREE.
PHOTOGRAPHER
We've played a lot of phone tag with a professional photographer, but haven't been able to meet with him to discuss packages & prices. Our maximum is $750.
BRIDAL SHOWER
Coming up! Organized and paid for by his mother. Presents are starting to arrive in the mail. We've gotten our dish set, wine glasses, vacuum, and a lamp.
In more humorous news, I have two crazy aunts, neither of whom are attending the wedding. One told my mother she's packing a box of things she hopes we can use; the other is sending a gift with my parents, but won't reveal its nature. My mother has ascertained that this gift is: 1) breakable, 2) partially metal, 3) may be engraved with our names 4) worth close to a thousand dollars, 5) fits in a 7" x 7" box. This aunt told her it can't be mailed because it can't be insured. My mother has been instructed to take it with her on the plane, but not to let any of the screeners see it!!! It must be in her purse, and she must carry her purse on her lap during the flight. No, she can't take it with when she comes for the shower, nor can we pick it up at Christmas, because "it's for the WEDDING".
ALCOHOL
We're doing wine from Costco and beer kegs from Binny's. I have $1,000 budgeted, but am hoping for $700-ish.
MISCELLANY
We expect $320 in ice, tablecloths, plastic cups, etc.
CONTINGENCY
10% or $500. Just in case I've forgotten something. Just in case there's a delivery fee I didn't notice. Just in case my mother-in-law agreed to a higher price on the chairs & tables than I budgeted.
TOTAL: $5,800. So far. What do you think? Too much? Too little? I read that the average wedding in America costs $27,000. If we measure by that standard (ridiculous), then we're doing quite well.
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