Error encountered in: C:\HostingSpaces\weblevel\forums.barrelhorseworld.com\wwwroot\forum\templates\original\fragments\template-begin.asp
Microsoft VBScript compilation error - Expected statement
a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-27 9:09 AM
Subject: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
What did you spend on:
1. Venue
2. Photos/Video
3. Dress
4. DJ/Music
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding?

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)

Thanks Y'all

Edited by RoaniePonie11 2017-10-27 10:14 AM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RedHead84
Reg. Dec 2014
Posted 2017-10-27 9:20 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Elite Veteran


Posts: 889
500100100100252525
Well, I can't be much help. We went to Vegas and it was the BEST THING EVER.

No hassle, no drama, no planning, no big $$ drain.

I am not saying it's for everyone but it was great. We did have a reception back home a couple months later. BBQ, beer, dancing; very low key.

I have had so many friends regret how they let themselves get wrapped up in the details and didn't even enjoy their day. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-27 9:35 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
thank you for the input! We are waayyyyy out from the date (10/19) so I have plenty of time. I want to have it all organized and PAID FOR a good 6-8 months out. I have an idea of what I want, but I have heard a bunch of do this, don't do that, this is/is not important... so I'm trying to make note of popular opinion.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
TwistedK
Reg. May 2006
Posted 2017-10-27 9:47 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Bulls Eye


Posts: 6443
5000100010010010010025
Location: Oklahoma
My first wedding... spent WAY too much.

Dress $1800
Venue $20,000
Total cost about $40,000

Ended in divorce less than 3 years later and that was an additional $12,000

2nd time around... dress $150. Got married in Vegas with immediate family present. Had a moving/going away party/reception at the inlaws home.

I would do the small intimate ceremony with family only again. The first time around was a large church wedding. To me, a wedding lasts a day, a marriage a lifetime. I'd rather spend/save the money.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-27 9:52 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
opinions on the cost of photo/video? I found a company that does beyond incredible work oh photos and videos but its not cheap. I love the idea of being able to sit down with a bottle of wine and watch my wedding video while hes gone (we are military and he is gone ALL THE TIME). A close friend of mine (MOH) spent $1200 on her pictures and she said she wishes she hand't of cut corners on it because she doesn't have video and she doesn't like her pictures I.E. You get what you pay for...

thanks yall
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
TwistedK
Reg. May 2006
Posted 2017-10-27 9:54 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Bulls Eye


Posts: 6443
5000100010010010010025
Location: Oklahoma
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 9:52 AM

opinions on the cost of photo/video? I found a company that does beyond incredible work oh photos and videos but its not cheap. I love the idea of being able to sit down with a bottle of wine and watch my wedding video while hes gone (we are military and he is gone ALL THE TIME). A close friend of mine (MOH) spent $1200 on her pictures and she said she wishes she hand't of cut corners on it because she doesn't have video and she doesn't like her pictures I.E. You get what you pay for...

thanks yall

If I remember right, our pictures/videos were about $1200. Even though it ended in divorce, I still have the video and albums for my daughter in case she ever wants to see them. I think yes, that is worth the cost.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
BamaCanChaser
Reg. Nov 2012
Posted 2017-10-27 10:01 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Expert


Posts: 2097
2000252525
Location: Deep South
We had a Friday night wedding. I know that's a little untraditional, but I would do it 1000x over. We had an amazing guest turnout. Way above average from what I read to expect. Lol! We were married in October, and as silly as it sounds, in the South, planning your wedding around football games is a BIG deal. I have been to at least a dozen fall weddings where half of the guests were glued to their phone screens watching the game. One wedding I went to the GROOM along with his groomsmen, disappeared right after the ceremony and did not join the reception until his team was done playing approx 45 minutes later! I thought, if it's that important just have a TV at the reception??

So we avoided that with a Friday wedding. Also, every single one of our vendors offered us a 15-20% discount to do it on Friday. That really added up!

Weddings are sooo exhausting for everyone involved and my family was extremely grateful to have the rest of the weekend to recover. They did cleanup until about mid-afternoon on Saturday and had all day Sunday to just rest before returning to work.


None of that really answered your questions though. Lol!

I think budgets are very personalized to the individual. Determine who will be paying for what and how much they are willing to spend. My parents paid for everything. But I know in some cases a grandparent will offer to pay for the dress, or an aunt will offer to pay for the ______ whatever.

Rough numbers:
Half of my budget went to the venue, this included catering.
15-20% photos/video
10% dress
2% DJ

My only regret is having too many bridesmaids. I felt pressured/obligated to ask certain people. I had 5, so not a huge number or anything, but it was a lot of drama at the time. And this is the one event in your life that it is absolutely ok to be selfish. I would only ask your nearest dearest most personal people and don't worry about offending anyone!

In my experience with my own wedding and attending lots of others, people really remember the food! Whether good or bad they talk about what kind of meal you provided. And unless it is strictly against your religious beliefs, booze is a must!! The only weddings I've been to that were complete duds, where no one had fun and everyone left as soon as the cake was cut, were the dry weddings!

The venue was about 20 minutes from my house.

5 on each side, we both agreed that was 3 too many.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
barrelracingchick16
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2017-10-27 10:01 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



It Goes On


Posts: 2262
20001001002525
Location: Muskogee, OK
1. Venue: $5000, it was a ranch and we had access to the ranch the whole weekend (the boys shooted skeet, fished etc) and also had a cabin onsite that we stayed in. Was GREAT

2. Photos: $1000, I did not do a video but had some priced out and this area it seemed to run $800-2000 depending on who you used).

3. Dress: $1000 + $200 in alterations

4. DJ/Music: Was included in our ranch rental package.

I LOVED our venue, was so worth it. Check them out Flying M Ranch in Inola, OK.

Regrets: none
How far from my house: 50 minutes
Bridal party: 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen


We went ahead and hired a wedding planner that worked out of this venue quite a bit, she was about $3000 but was worth every penny. She handled ALL decorations, setting up, clean up and the actual organization of the event. We literally just had to show up. I HIGHLY recommend this- took a lot of stress off of us and our families especially day of so everyone could have fun.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Sockittoemred
Reg. Nov 2006
Posted 2017-10-27 10:23 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Elite Veteran


Posts: 912
500100100100100
Location: Alabama
1) Venue was free. We used a friends local farm.
2) I found a local girl who was just starting and paid her $500. We got about 300 edited pictures and she stayed for over 6 hours.
3)$1200
4) DJ is the way to go. I think it was about $800
5) Around $7500 all said and done.

If I had it to do over I would do it take pictures before, get a better dj, start earlier, and hire someone to video.

We had one person each to stand up with us, the ceremony was about 30 minutes from us.
Book your hair and makeup way early. Make sure you love your dress and order it early.
HAVE FUN! I don't understand why people get so stressed about these things. You should enjoy it!
Congratulations!
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
JcNhEmI
Reg. Apr 2009
Posted 2017-10-27 10:24 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Living within my means


Posts: 5128
500010025
Location: Randolph, Utah
I had 2 close friends get married this summer and they didn’t do a bridle party. The one said it was easier than trying to pick what friends you wanted and that way no one got their feelings hurt, plus it took the cost of more dresses away.
Just something to think about.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-27 10:39 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
JcNhEmI - 2017-10-27 10:24 AM

I had 2 close friends get married this summer and they didn’t do a bridle party. The one said it was easier than trying to pick what friends you wanted and that way no one got their feelings hurt, plus it took the cost of more dresses away.
Just something to think about.

He has a ton of friends and I have like 3.... on a good day LOL. I am not a people person. I don't want to limit his buddies but I am not having people I am not close with as a brides maid. I am thinking MOH and 1 bridesmaid.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-27 10:40 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
thanks you guys! Any and all bits of advice welcome!
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
linds
Reg. Feb 2005
Posted 2017-10-27 10:49 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2531
200050025
Location: WI
My husband had 5 and I had 4.  He really wanted 5 and I didn't want to ask someone just to fill a space.  I had the last bridesmaid walk down with a groom on each side.  You may not want to be 6 and 2, but it's totally kosh to be uneven! 
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
mruggles
Reg. Oct 2008
Posted 2017-10-27 11:02 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Good Grief!


Posts: 6343
5000100010010010025
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-28 8:09 AM

What did you spend on:
1. Venue
2. Photos/Video
3. Dress
4. DJ/Music
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding?

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)

Thanks Y'all

Venue - couple thousandDress - 2500 or soCake -1500 it sure was pretty..lolFlowers - couple thouBand was 5gPhotos were around the 3g mark4 bridesmaids and the wedding shinding was half an hour from home.....Total spent approx 60 g......regrets...yup shouldn't have gotten married...but if I had it to do over and not be the skeptic i am now..vegas......M
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
mruggles
Reg. Oct 2008
Posted 2017-10-27 11:02 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Good Grief!


Posts: 6343
5000100010010010025
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-28 8:09 AM

What did you spend on:
1. Venue
2. Photos/Video
3. Dress
4. DJ/Music
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding?

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)

Thanks Y'all

Venue - couple thousandDress - 2500 or soCake -1500 it sure was pretty..lolFlowers - couple thouBand was 5gPhotos were around the 3g mark4 bridesmaids and the wedding shinding was half an hour from home.....Total spent approx 60 g......regrets...yup shouldn't have gotten married...but if I had it to do over and not be the skeptic i am now..vegas......M
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
07milch
Reg. Mar 2012
Posted 2017-10-27 12:05 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Elite Veteran


Posts: 682
500100252525
Location: Northwest
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 7:09 AM What did you spend on: 1. Venue 2. Photos/Video 3. Dress 4. DJ/Music 5. What did your wedding cost as a whole? Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding? Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding? How far from your house was your wedding? How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen) Thanks Y'all

What did you spend on:
1. Venue: Free, used a family friend's farm
2. Photos/Video: Also free, my husband's sister took photos and a friend took a video for me.....don't regret this one bit! And honestly, I could care less about a video
3. Dress: $250 (it was a more expensive dress, $1300 or 1400 I can't remember exactly, that was a sample for a design that had been discontinued) plus alterations ~$100
4. DJ/Music: None
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?: MAYBE $2000

I had a beautiful wedding and there is nothing I would change about it. It was outdoors and low key. I didn't want anything "fancy". 
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
horsegirl
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2017-10-27 12:09 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



The One


Posts: 7998
50002000500100100100100252525
Location: South Georgia
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 10:09 AM What did you spend on: 1. Venue 2. Photos/Video 3. Dress 4. DJ/Music 5. What did your wedding cost as a whole? Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding? Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding? How far from your house was your wedding? How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen) Thanks Y'all
What did you spend on: 1. Venue 2. Photos/Video 3. Dress 4. DJ/Music 5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?
We bought a package deal from Sheraton Suites in Key West. The package included decor, food, the venue (of course), photography, cake, floral, and officiant......and it also included a wedding planner and an event coordinator. The package was $7,700.00 with the food and bar (top shelf premium bar for 4 hours) choices we made (prime rib and lobster tails, along with a shrimp cocktail app, and passed appetizers during cocktail hour) for 36 guests.

I found the Maggie Soterro dress I wanted for $1,300. When they went to order my size, they found out it was discontinued, and I could not fit into their size 8 floor sample. I called literally around 75 stores that carried that designer and found ONE store with a sample dress left in stock....and it was in my size. They had it on their 50% off clearance rack. I paid $600 and then I spent $100 on a couple repairs (missing crystal buttons from being tried on before). I bought it over the phone.

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?
None. The event venue handled everything beautifully. All the contractors they used were EXCELLENT also.

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?
I wouldn't change anything.

How far from your house was your wedding?
7 hours. We flew in 2 days before.

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)
Zero. It simplified the whole process, nobody felt obligated to help us with things, everyone could just have fun, and nobody had to pay for a special outfit to be in a wedding party. No obligatory gifts for them either. Much simpler.

All told, considering ALL expenses, our wedding was about $10,000.00.

Edited by horsegirl 2017-10-27 12:10 PM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
cecollins0811
Reg. Aug 2013
Posted 2017-10-27 12:23 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Expert


Posts: 1631
100050010025
Location: Somewhere around here
I think my and my husband had a fairly cheap wedding; maybe $3,000-$4,000 in total of everything. I think my dress was the most expensive thing and it was around $1,500. We have the ceremony at our church and got a lot of our decorations from Hobby Lobby. I let my friends pick out their own bridesmaids dresses which there is only two of them and it was pretty easy I just told them what color and that was it. We had a family friend do our wedding photos and I wish that was something that we paid more money for. Our photos are pretty simple and not worth bragging about. But I am glad that there are some pictures that I like. For music We had a 5 CD stereo case and that just mix songs for the whole reception. We already had the stereo and the CD so it didn't cost us anything. We just got married in town and had all of our friends and family invited. About 200 and total and we had a barbecue/steak all-you-can-eat line so people just grabbed what they wanted to eat and it was pretty simple. My aunt in law did the cake so we didn't have to pay much for that and we had a lot of family members help out. One of the major perks of being married to a big family! For our honeymoon we went to my husband's grandparents cabin in the mountains which was a couple hours away and it worked out great for us because we had our wedding Saturday and we had to get back to work on Monday so it was just a short getaway.
I really wasn't picky about our wedding and I was just happy to be getting married to the man that I loved, but I also stressed out at times because of my family sticking their nose up at things that I was very close to getting married in Vegas. Thinking back now I wish that we did get married in Vegas during the NFR so that could have been our honeymoon / vacation!
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
emricmacy
Reg. Sep 2016
Posted 2017-10-27 12:34 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Elite Veteran


Posts: 897
500100100100252525
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 9:09 AM

What did you spend on:
1. Venue-$8,000 that's including food and appetizers
2. Photos/Video-Photos were a gift from my husband's brother (who takes pictures for a living). I also paid $250.00 to have a wedding video done, and I would do that all over again! I love being able to watch our wedding all over again.
3. Dress-Total with alterations $1,000 at David's Bridal
4. DJ/Music-$1,500.00
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole? I would say around $15,000.

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding? I regret having bridesmaids/wedding party! I also regret having a family member take our pictures. I would do anything to go back and time and hire a non family member! I hate 99.9% of our wedding pictures, and I'm mad at myself for that. I would have spent a decent amount of money to have beautiful pictures! Good food was also important to us, as we had servers pass around appetizers, and and did NOT have a cash bar. We had an open bar, and IMO it was 100% worth it. It didn't put our guests in an uncomfortable spot. Also, if I could go back, I would not have a wedding party.

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding? 10 min (church, and then reception at a local Inn which was 15 min away from the church). We didn't want our guests to have to travel a long ways.

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen) 3 and 3


Edited by emricmacy 2017-10-27 12:45 PM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
tracies
Reg. Jan 2010
Posted 2017-10-27 12:48 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 1280
1000100100252525
Location: Texas
 My daughter got married in 2015. The one thing that I remember was the cost of the venue & photographer. We got a package deal on the venue for the reception (it was a church wedding) + all photography (bridals, wedding, reception) for $4500. It was a garden setting with a farm house.  Real pretty.  We served about 300 guests, so I don't remember (nor do I care to) what everything else cost.  The music was a band on a flatbed trailer. They were a hoot! We rented a dancefloor (put on grass), those huge party tents,  a gazillion tables, & strung up a BUNCH of lights.. Floated 5 kegs, served tons of wine, chicken fried steak + all the fixins.  It was a total blast!  It was all a success because they had so many friends that pitched in to pull it all off!  I only regret having my make up done by the pro...LOL I don't even wear make up usually, so I was very uncomfortable with all that make up on

I think the important thing is to make it what you and your fiance want, not what anyone else wants.  Don't feel pressured to have a big wedding if you don't want one.  It is all a very personal & should reflect your style.

Edited to add that a local college (I think, or maybe a high school? can't rememeber) class did the flowers a whole lot cheaper than a retail florist. Everything including the bouqets to the table arrangements). It was a vocational type floristry class.  Save money where you can!

Edited by tracies 2017-10-27 2:54 PM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Chicken Fried
Reg. Oct 2008
Posted 2017-10-27 1:01 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Veteran


Posts: 255
1001002525
Location: Where Tall Corn Grows
This is something I've said to all of my kids when planning a wedding. It's not the wedding that makes the marriage. So when you are stressing over wedding or shower plans, keep that in mind........... I pray God blesses your marriage with years of love and laughter!
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RodeoCowgirl4u
Reg. Aug 2012
Posted 2017-10-27 2:02 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Elite Veteran


Posts: 929
50010010010010025
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 7:09 AM

What did you spend on:
1. Venue
2. Photos/Video
3. Dress
4. DJ/Music
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding?

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)

Thanks Y'all

Venue- Free (had the ceremony in our pasture under the oak tree and reception at the rodeo hall where we are committee members)
Photo/Video- Free (a photographer friend took pictures/video as a gift to us.)
Dress/accessories/hair- $500 (I was a professional model back in the day and did my own make-up)
DJ/Music- $300
Food- $400

In total the wedding cost about $3k. We did not have a wedding planner, I had a MOH and one bridesmaid, he had his best man and one groomsman, did a lot of the decorations from stuff I found on pinterest or laying around the barn, and while I had our bouquets and boutonieres (sp?) made, the girls and I did the table arrangements ourselves. It was beautiful and simple, we had a taco bar (we advise this or BBQ for those wanting cheap but good food) fed about 150 people- and the whole town said it was the best wedding they had ever been to.

No drama, no stupidness (we went to Costco or walmart and each time we went bought a case of beer or a box of wine for the event leading up to that date.)

I do wish that we were able to get the DJ we wanted and had been able to afford a different photographer- not that the one who took the pictures was bad, but they just weren't as polished as some others that I had seen, nor do the pictures tell a story to the person looking at them.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
madredepeanut
Reg. Aug 2017
Posted 2017-10-27 5:55 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?





500100100252525
RoaniePonie11 - 2017-10-27 7:09 AM

What did you spend on:
1. Venue
2. Photos/Video
3. Dress
4. DJ/Music
5. What did your wedding cost as a whole?

Do you have any regrets about what you did/didn't do for your wedding?

Looking back, what were/should have been your priority list in planning the wedding/ paying for the wedding?

How far from your house was your wedding?

How many was in your bridal party? (brides maids/ groomsmen)

Thanks Y'all

1. Our venue was free, we got married on my parents’ summer lease cattle pasture, and then had dinner back on the deck at my parents’ ranch house.
2. We opted not to have a videographer, and our photographer was great. He was local to my parents’ area (my hometown), and since we didn’t do engagement pictures and all that, our package was modified to include more time on the wedding day. He stayed all afternoon, we have access to all our pictures on a flash drive, and chose to have them make us a wedding album. I think the whole cost there was around $1600-1800. That was our biggest expense, and it was worth it in my mind- I love our pictures.
3. Dress was my grandmother’s from 1948 that a few of my aunts had worn as well. I had it altered slightly (sleeves taken off and neckline loosened) for less than $100.
4. I purchased Spotify for my phone and created a playlist over the course of a few months leading up to our wedding, with some of our favorite love songs, family favorite songs and songs that had meaning to us. Then I canceled the premium and have just had the free version since.
5. We only had 16 people including my husband and I, our parents, siblings, officiant and his wife (who were also family friends/related), and my cousin and his wife (whom I am very close with and their son is my godson), and kept it extremely small and intimate. We had a mixture of real flowers for my bouquet and silk ones for our arbor in the pasture, and milk jugs with real flowers. We decided not to have a wedding party besides my parents’ geriatric border collie as the flower girl, and my godson and husband’s nephew as the ring bearers.
We did have the wedding catered, but it was roughly $750 for 25 meals (hello leftovers!), and it was great food. Our two-tier cake was made by a local mom and pop grocery store, and they did an amazing job! It was a lot cheaper than the boutique bakeries that specialized in wedding cakes.

We had a lot of people pitch in: my step dad made our arbor, my father and step mom made wine vessels (they do pottery) that were also our favors, and the flowers were done by a close family friend that’s a florist, so we basically got the flowers at cost.
ETA: we had a LOT of wine gifted to us, and offered beer and the wine at dinner, along with huckleberry lemonade that the caterers provided. We also had the rehearsal dinner at my parents’ place as well, and my husband’s parents made pulled pork for that.

Our day consisted of the ceremony itself, and then a simple catered dinner with music in the background, and plenty of time to visit and play lawn games. I am so absolutely glad we didn’t have a huge wedding. That was the farthest thing from what my husband and I wanted, and we were so thrilled with how the day turned out. We kept a budget in mind, and held true to how we wanted our big day to be. We had a lot of family trying to change the day and invite themselves, and we stood strong! (We did have two separate receptions for his extended family and my extended family to celebrate with us during other scheduled family gatherings- since our families are based in separate states. We didn’t want a huge ordeal, and didn’t want people to have to pay for more plane tickets and all that jazz.)
I know people always say “take time for just the two of you on that day” and it is so, so true. The whole day was a whirlwind, and I am very glad we did a first look, as it eased a lot of our jitters (even though I still cried during the ceremony). With it being such a small group, everyone was able to spend the weekend together and most stayed at my parents’ ranch house, so we cut cost there with hotels as well.

CONGRATULATIONS and I hope your big day is exactly what you want and have planned for!

ETA: our whole wedding cost less than the bar at my brother’s wedding. They also had over 400 guests. It can be as extravagant or simple or complicated or awesome as you want, there is literally an entire industry based on weddings. OH! And everything is more expensive when you say the magical word “wedding”- keep that in mind.

Edited by madredepeanut 2017-10-27 6:09 PM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
jake16
Reg. Apr 2006
Posted 2017-10-27 7:31 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Go Get Em!


Posts: 13503
5000500020001000500
Location: OH. IO
If you purchase your dress WAY EARLY,make sure you do not look at any other dresses after your purchase.I know several girls that have bought a second dress because the didn't like the first one because they continued to look at other dresses:(
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Kry5ta1
Reg. Jul 2008
Posted 2017-10-27 7:58 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Three in a Bikini


Posts: 2035
200025
I do not remember specifics, but we spent around $15k total.

If I could change anything I would only purchase enough to satisfy the needs of those that took time to RSVP. I had way too much of EVERYTHING. And in some of my photos you can definitely tell. IE: too many seats, wasted food, etc.

Otherwise I have no regrets. We splurged on things I wanted to splurge on and saved in areas that I did not care much about. We did it our way and that was reflected in the overall image.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
BFN
Reg. Sep 2015
Posted 2017-10-27 8:41 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Veteran


Posts: 286
100100252525
I really regret changing my name.

Why is it that the woman is expected to change her name??????

If I had it to do all over again, I would keep my last name...and my identity. Lol

I think some things need to change... in this day and age...especially if men and women are really gonna be "equals".
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoanyGoodPoni
Reg. May 2007
Posted 2017-10-28 7:38 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Expert


Posts: 1268
10001001002525
Location: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
I just recently got engaged. We've both been married and have decided against a public wedding and all the hassle... I think we've decide to do a weddingmoon instead and just have the vacation we were planning for the future anyhow. We are leaning towards going to a Sandals resort in St. Lucia based on friends experiences there and having a great all inclusive beach vacay with the simple included private beach wedding. We do plan to have a celebration party with local band, BBQ, drinks and fun. Will will do it all ourselves cutting the cost.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
1DSoon
Reg. May 2009
Posted 2017-10-28 7:55 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?





20001001002525
Location: Not Where I Want to Be
BFN - 2017-10-27 9:41 PM I really regret changing my name. Why is it that the woman is expected to change her name?????? If I had it to do all over again, I would keep my last name...and my identity. Lol I think some things need to change... in this day and age...especially if men and women are really gonna be "equals".

 very progressive of you
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
RoaniePonie11
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2017-10-28 8:40 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Expert


Posts: 2685
2000500100252525
Thanks everyone!

I’m currently sitting in the parking lot of David’s Bridal waiting on my MOH and appointment time. I found the dress I have wanted for YEARS. It’s at a shop about 10 min from here BUT it’s $6K LOL. So here I am at David’s LOL
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Ashley Lynn
Reg. Jun 2005
Posted 2017-10-28 8:43 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Elite Veteran


Posts: 889
500100100100252525
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness
I got married a few weeks ago, so we have been in wedding mode around here for a while. I did not hire a videographer- my uncle filmed our ceremony on my moms camera and burned it to a disk for me. HUGE money saver. I had a wedding planner because of the venue, she was a lifesaver!!! That made all of the planning and the day of a breeze. She handled vendors, the timeline, guests coming in, decorating- EVERYTHING!! I didn’t do favors, we had a full meal and an open bar- merry Christmas! My issue was- we had 255 people RSVP. These were the ones that sent their RSVP card back in the mail, not just mentioned they were coming... we had about 100 people show up. It’s frustrating because that cost us about $5,000 for people that said they were coming and didn’t. Our bridal party was fairly big, we each had 6 attendants... not so sure I would do that many if I had to do it over again. That is a lot of different personalities, and a lot of people to keep organized through the clothes buying and events leading up to the wedding. David’s bridal usually has really good sales on bridesmaid dresses. The dresses we had were originally $180 and we got them on clearance for $25!! We had a few alterations, because there were limited sizes when they went on sale- but we made it work!! Our guys didn’t wear a tux... they were starched jeans, a shirt, tie and vest. It was cheaper for them to buy their shirt and stuff than it was to rent the tux. At least now they have it to keep if they ever need to get dressed up! Etsy has TONS of wedding things!
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
rodeomom3
Reg. Dec 2007
Posted 2017-10-28 9:17 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Shelter Dog Lover


Posts: 10277
50005000100100252525
 Just throwing this out there, I am 57 and have been to many weddings, from beautiful church weddings to simple ceromies under a tree.  My two favorite weddings: the couple had an engagement party on New Year’s Eve, catered food, etc.  All family and friends who would be at the wedding were there.  Around 9 o’clock somebody started playing the wedding song on the piano, everyone  gathered around,  the bride appeared at the top of the stairs in a beautiful wedding dress, a photographer appeared to take pictures,  her dad met her,walked her down the stairs, their pastor was there to marry y  them, a beautiful cake was wheeled out after the ceremony.    They had all their moments without the stress and hassle of planning a formal wedding.   I also loved my sisters wedding, everyone was broke,they married under a tree in the mountains in Colorado, friends brought food to share,we stood in a circle around them as they said their vows, it was very intimate and special.    Congrats on your day and enjoy it no matter what the wedding details are. 

Edited by rodeomom3 2017-10-28 9:18 AM
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Bear
Reg. Dec 2007
Posted 2017-10-28 5:08 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



BHW Resident Surgeon


Posts: 25352
500050005000500050001001001002525
Location: Bastrop, Texas
BFN - 2017-10-27 8:41 PM

I really regret changing my name.

Why is it that the woman is expected to change her name??????

If I had it to do all over again, I would keep my last name...and my identity. Lol

I think some things need to change... in this day and age...especially if men and women are really gonna be "equals".

How about this, as an alternative.....hyphenate your names. Your kids and grandkids, and great grandkids can follow your example. Eventually, your great grandchildren will have last names like they do in some Middle Eastern countries:
Hassan el Ibin Al Abdul-Azziz Bin adbdel Rahaman Bin Hussein.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
MeepMeep
Reg. Mar 2015
Posted 2017-10-28 5:10 PM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?


Veteran


Posts: 113
100
BFN - 2017-10-27 8:41 PM

I really regret changing my name.

Why is it that the woman is expected to change her name??????

If I had it to do all over again, I would keep my last name...and my identity. Lol

I think some things need to change... in this day and age...especially if men and women are really gonna be "equals".

I was honored to take my husband's name
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
avmalibu
Reg. Nov 2012
Posted 2017-10-29 11:14 AM
Subject: RE: a few quick wedding questions: what did you spend on ____, regrets? Priorities?



Extreme Veteran


Posts: 518
500
everything was within 20 mins of my house because almost my entire family are farmers meaning they had livestock to feed between the ceremony and reception. 
Venue cost about $3000-4000 including decorations minus the centerpieces which i did myself. 
Videographer was a gift to us, I have no idea what he cost but I know it wasn't cheap.
Photographer- $1800. I did a ton of research and was really excited about her but my pictures are terrible, she didn't listen to what we wanted and she's my biggest regret from our wedding!! 
Dress- $1400, totally worth it!!
we didn't have a DJ or music
we each had 3 in our bridal party and I ordered the bridesmaid dresses from UWdress.com which came highly recommended but I wouldn't order from there again. 


 
↑ Top ↓ Bottom