How much did you spend on your entire wedding?

Question

Am i totally unrealistic to think that being the budget queen I am, and utilizing the beautiful beach setting cape cod house that we are lucky enough to have in our family, and natural hydrangeas from the yard for my wedding flowers, and having a moissonite rather than diamond ring (for several reasons there, not JUST the money) that I can have a wedding including about 50 guests for under 5,000?

Answer 1

For 50 people yes you can do it for under 5000.  I spent 11000 for 60 people in Boston.  I was lucky enough to get amazing deals since my mom is a manager for a hotel there.  For my money I was able to get Table skirts, and overlays, china, chargers, satin napkins, double bows on the back of chairs, and espresso bar, a kick *** cocktail hour with a 3 piece orchestra, trolleys to give our guests a tour of Boston, photographer.  However if i didnt have the discounts the whole wedding for 60 peoples would have been over 35000 probably closer to 45,000.  

If you want a low key wedding you can do it.  The food is not going to be that much.  You can have someone go to Maine and buy a bunch of lobsters on the dock, or even Rhode Island.  The drive is not that far.  Then do corn on the cob and grilled chicken breast, and a really nice salad.  That is actually what I really wanted!  But my mom wanted a Beacon Hill wedding.  Email me and I will send you some pictures of Awesome beach weddings.  I also have some really cute beach favor ideas.

Answer 2

I spent 2500....That's with my gown,dj,hall,food,cake,flowers...everyth... got married outside in a Gazebo (free)...The hall we got a good price on cuz his Uncle is some big shot.

So You can do it....If you want the DJ's number I can give it to you...He was 700 for 5 hours

I am from Mass too...So I know how expensive things from here are.

Look on Craigslist for Centerpieces and all that...

Good Luck

  

Answer 3

Is the house ON the beach? Most towns allow charcoal cooking grills on the actual beach which could be fun.

Here are some idea links that might be helpful...They are geared to having a wedding actually on the sand but it's all relative here on the Cape :)  

Answer 4

Sure you can, especially since you don't have to rent a church or reception hall, just pay the minister..... Well as long as the wedding dress you want it's crazy-expensive, you can do it anyway. 8)

My wedding was around $10,000. I invited about 375 guests.  

Answer 5

I'm trying to have a wedding for 75 people for less than $5000. But I am also getting a lot of help, like my grandmother making my dress, hiring a family friend catering service, and using an iPod instead of a DJ. I've heard of nice looking weddings for less than $1000, so with a lot of family and friend's help, it can be done!

Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Have a buffet style that way you dont have to pay a catering service.It will not look cheap.I'm doing that.I'm order big party packs and having someone pick up the order while we are taking pics.If I were to go with a dj,than my price would be 5500 all together with china,food,decorations at the reception I'm having it at.But I decided to do everything on my own.Like buying plastic table covers and putting a clear table cover on top.Not having a dj,playing my own music,food will cost 400.Sis in law taking the pics and MIL making the wedding cake and I'm buying small favors,decorations,alcohol,sodas,etc.and it comes out to 2800 and I'm having 50 guests also.So ya,it is possible.Good luck.

Answer 7

Definitely possible!  I'm having a wedding for 70 guests for about $6000.  And that's including professionally catered food and getting a nice ceremony and reception hall.  If your planning on professional-looking photography, find a photography student at a local university that'll do it on the cheap.  We found a pro photographer who had just moved to the city, so was doing it half off!

Don't go for an expensive wedding dress.  Mine is about $300.  Moissanite is fine.  Our wedding rings are custom made of wood, cost a total of $80 for both.  

The food will be the biggest expense, but if you're not getting it catered, that'll save tons of money (where we wanted to do the ceremony required us to do our reception there, and we were required to cater from them...but I really liked the ceremony site, so I didn't mind the splurge).

Don't waste too much money on all the tiny details such as chair covers or fancy napkins or expensive favors or elaborate centerpieces.  

So with what you have so far, it's very possible that your wedding can come much cheaper than $5000.  Congrats!

Answer 8

Mine cost around 2,000.00 for a town hall wedding officiated by the town judge and a small home reception (cold buffet) for 20-the immediate family. I made my own salads, ordered patters of meats, cheeses, condiments, veggies, fruit, rolls, mini pastries and appetizers, one of my daughters made our 3 tiered cake as her gift to us. I'm also including the cost of my outfit, marriage license, officiate's fee, wedding bands, and a weekend stay at a lovely hotel.

Nothing cheap looking about it,just intimate and cozy.....good luck.

Answer 9

my entire wedding is 3,000 and that is with 200 guests....that includes everything!  

Answer 10

Well my entire wedding is going to cost $10,000 for 100 guests, so I dont see why you couldnt do half of that for half the guests. you already have the venue and thats usually a big cost, now you just have to figure out how much catering will be, which is usually from $15 per person to $50 per person, but im sure you can find someone in your budget!

Answer 11

you can have 50 guests for under 5,000.

My wedding was

3500.00 dress

150.00 hair

65.00 shoes

85.00 veil

30,000 hall (food etc)

1000.00 limo

6500.00 open bar bill

6800.00 flowers

6000.00 rings

1200.00 rehersal dinner

I'm sure theres a bunch of stuff I forgot.

but i had 350 people

Answer 12

Are you feeding the guests?  Having a dance?

If so, then probably not.  Feeding guests is expensive.

Answer 13

I'm having a cape Cod wedding for 42 guests. Total tab: 30k

We are having a clam bake, full hosted bar on a beach resort. We tried to do the house thing, but it we figured, having on a venue was easier an less stresful. My fiance's uncle did the wedding on the beach/house thing and it was great. the wedding was only 20 ppl though.

Answer 14

Cost me £4000 (GPB) and that included everything !!

It is possible, you just need to shop around for the best deals on catering etc.

Good Luck !

Answer 15

It sounds reasonable that you would be able to do it. Budget really well.  

Answer 16

If this is your budget just for the food, entertainment, rentals and decorations- yes should be possible in MA.

Answer 17

i am so jealous of you/ i am from RI , i live in MD now and would love an outdoor New England wedding.

You can totally do it you can pay a catering company to have a clam bake, so it will look classy and still be way under budget. Have a dj you can collect shells and sand (free) with the hydrangeas for your centerpieces. you may have to but glass bow or keep checking salvation army. There is a company in maine that make red lobster shape lolly pops you can give those out as favors. Go to stop and shop and they will do your cake and my GF got her flowers done for then 500 but you do not have to worry about that. You have no transportation issues. You are so lucky you can make it work for real.