I'll start off by saying ours was NOT budget at all. We took the approach that we were each sitting in Iraq for a year, our friends and family were spread all over, and we were springing for a big party. So, basically, if I thought I wanted it...I left it in. And for me, time really was money. So, I couldn't be nearly as crafty as I wanted with my job. Plus, I'm normally frugal and this was a splurge where we literally had the wedding of our dreams because we could at this point.
I almost didn't post this, so I have to caveat by saying I advocate a no-debt lifestyle. And by no means do I think a wedding is worth your life-savings.
Oh, and ours was over a year ago (just FYI).
Whew! Now that that's off my chest...
Looking over this, there are things I wish I hadn't had, though:
Floral around the carousel centerpieces at the tea party-beautiful, but unnecessary.
Mickey Guest book (there's a funny story here. I actually contracted with the Roots to do a photo guest book from our e-pics, which cost $350...I know, I know...should have used blurb. I forgot and threw the Mickey thing in at our PS, because I didn't *think* I had one...and had no inclination to search for one. Well, they forgot as well. So, in a way I paid for two very expensive guest books. DEFINITELY should have gone with blurb)
Bows on the back of the chairs-I was trying to hide the "restaurant" look in Narcoossee's and focus on the beautiful building itself. You'll notice I don't regret MOST of the decorating costs, because they made the events truly stand out. These bows did nothing, though...note to future Narcoossee's brides!
Extras in my Photo Package-I still haven't ordered the products that came with what we purchased. I wish I had just gotten the pictures (and saved a ton of money in the process).
Biggest budget saver-BOC!!! Seriously! I had 65 people at my wedding reception and was charged $833 for ALL drinks (including water, soda, etc.). We even offered the premium wines. We had the same # at the Welcome Dinner and spent $614.25!! The package bar for the WD alone (which was only 1 1/2 hours) would have been $2100!
Tea Party
Floral-$340 (they put floral around the carousel horses I provided. 4 tables x $85 each)
Ribbons-$25 (as bows on the stuffed penguins I provided 5x $5)
Linens-$130 (5x tables with colored tablecloths and colored overlays)
Napkins-$120 (Color coordinated napkins tied with bows 40x$3)
Decorations with tax: $654.98
Meals-$1759.01 (30x Mad Hatter Tea Party Menu $45.50 each)
Mary Poppins-$800.00
Total for Tea Party for 30-$3213.99
Welcome Dinner
Centerpieces-$428 (glass cylinders filled with pasta; tabletop hanging lanterns; silk ivy; battery operated votives x 8 tables)
Linens-$128 (red checkered overlays 8x$16)
Napkins-$180 (tied with a bow $3x60)
Framed Seating Diagram-$225
Decorations including tax--$1023.47
Viewing Fees-$868.88 (63x$12.95)
Venue Pkg. for Italy Isola-$532.50
Drinks-$614.25
Food (adults)-$3886.57 (58 x Lady and the Tramp Rehearsal Dinner Buffet $52 each)
Food (children)-$167.52 (5 x $26)
Outdoor Set-up Fee-$79.88
Motorcoach-$897.75 (2 x coaches)
Total for Welcome Dinner for 63: $8091.87
Wedding Ceremony
Brides Bouquet-$374
Hair Floral-$30
Bouquet Refresh-$75
Bridesmaids Bouquets- $750 (5 x Tussy Mussy $150 each)
Boutonnieres-$166 (12 Boutonnieres)
Corsages-$156 (6 corsages x $26)
Unity Arrangement- $350
Unity Candle Set- $65
Staged Exit- $167.50 (67 x $2.50)
Wedding Pavilion-$2662.50
Major Domo- $675
Cinderellas Coach-$2700
Floral moving fee-$50
Wedding Ceremony Total: $7,546
Reception
Pre-Reception Decoration- $340 (7x silver julep cups with floral and ostrich feathers)
Glass vases to hold candy favors-$40 (5 each)
Mickey Guest book-$80 (in retrospect...this was not a good choice. I should have done a picture book!)
Table Centerpieces - $1845 (8x $205 for urns with topiaries with floral)
Linens-$610
Bows on Chairs-$310.50
Napkins-$276 (tied with a bow 69 x $4 each)
Cake floral-$75
DFTW Cake knife set-$60
Mickey personalized chocolate lolipops-$414 (69x $6)
Mickey champagne toasting flutes-$23 (2 x $11.50)
White Chocolate Castle-$128.87
Champagne Punch Bowl-$219.07 (2 x $85 + tax)
Vendors Meals-$71.91 (4 x $13.95)
Wedding Cake- $690.08 (63 x $8.50)
Lunch- $5381 (58 x $72--three course plated meal)
Childrens meals - $148.19 (5 x $23 Gus & Jaq Dinner)
Cheese Display - $771.26 (63 x $9.50)
Bartender Fee - $106.50
Jazz Trio - $1820
Dapper Dans - $1550
Mickey and Minnie - $1200
Drinks - $833
Total for Reception for 68: $16,993.38
Dessert Party
Personalized Vellum wine glass shades with battery tealight-$252 (for
Wishes Audio Package - $822.25
Desserts - $2628.85 (51 A Kiss Goodnight x $40)
Outdoor Setup Fee- $75
Dessert Party Total - $3778.10
Videography-$5200
Total to Disney - $49,347
Things not included-
Photgraphy-The Roots- $4300
Silhouette Artist- $500
Rev. Jack - $300
Carousel Horses for Tea Party - $268 (for 5 of them)