is this realistic?

[KelciAlexandra]

Fh and I have decided to put the wedding off for a while, but I still want to have an idea of who much we will be spending so that we can start saving. It would be wonderful if ya'll could give me some input if these prices are realistic and maybe where I can cut back on. Some information that might be helpful is that we're having 100 guests, our bridal party will range from 1 to 3 attendents each, Fh is BUYING his suit so that he will have it for other occasions, and we're using sunflowers and pumpkins for our flowers & decor (hoping that will help with the price of the decorations). Also here is the website for our number 1 choice of where to have the wedding http://Edgewoodtahoe.com.

BUDGET=$20,650
Bride
Dress: $650
Shoes: $100
Undergarments: $200
Beauty: $350
Accessories: $200
TOTAL: $1500
Groom
Suit: $400
Shoes: $150
Beauty: $100
Accessories: $100
TOTAL: $750
Ceremony
Location: $500
License: $50
Officiate: $50
Accessories: $50
TOTAL: $650
Reception
Location: $1500
Food: $6500
Cake: $600
Décor: $300
TOTAL: $8900
Flowers
Bridal Bouquet: $100
Bridesmaids Bouquets: $25 x 4
Wedding Party Boutonnieres: $10 x 5
Flower Girl: $25
Family Flowers: $10 x 5
Kissing Balls: $50 x 6
Reception Flowers: $50 x 12
Random Flowers: $200
TOTAL: $1225
Photo & Video
Photography: $4000
Video: $2500
TOTAL: $6500
Transportation
Transportation from reception to hotel: $125
TOTAL: $125
Favors
Bridal Party: $300
Guests: $150
Family: $200
TOTAL: $650
Paper Products
Announcements: $100
Invites: $125
Programs: $125
TOTAL: $350

I know there is no way to know what the actual prices will be when we get to that point, but it would be nice to know if I'm living in a fantasy land and given a dose of reality.

[carolinalady67]

That location is beautiful!

I think it looks good for a starting budget. I wouldn't think you would have to add any to it, and I think you will be able to find a lot of ways to cut the cost if you need to.

[MsJessica07]

Two things: If you're looking to cut costs, I would reduce the budget for the bride's apparel, and the photography/videography.

I would say that for guest favors I would budget probably $1 per person at least. I also think depending on the number of invitations, it could cost more, especially depending on the number of invitations you need.

Also, looking at that location, your budget would work assuming you use the south room. I would just make sure that you're not using it on Saturday, and that you figure out what food you want for that budget.

Hope that's helpful!

[Liz&Cailen]

Your location is beautiful, I am officially jealous!

[km]

I would probably talk with your location site about previous weddings, I would not give them your budget, but weddings that they have had in the past and what they cost should give you an idea on where and what you should cut. IMO I think your budget is good.

[Winter_Bride]

The budget looks fair to me :shrug2: I don't remember the breakdown of our wedding budget personally, but I think it was similar.

I think the best way to figure out a budget is just to research each aspect. Costs of weddings can vary so much from area to area that the best way to know if you're planning on saving enough is to see how much each of these things will cost in your area.

You can also kill two birds with one stone and scope out vendors!

[*meghan*]

The only number that stands out a lot to me is the food. That seems like a lot to me for 100 guests. BUT, I don't know how prices compare in your area to my area. We had an excellent caterer and excellent food for a lot cheaper than that. I think the cake and videography can also be done for a lower price. It all just depends on what you want and what you are comfortable spending. I think it looks great overall!

[*Sarah*]

I think the best way to figure out a budget is just to research each aspect. Costs of weddings can vary so much from area to area that the best way to know if you're planning on saving enough is to see how much each of these things will cost in your area.

:yeah:

[Aramelle]

I think that the budget looks pretty realistic. Tahoe can be very expensive for events, so I would venture to guess that you are estimating it well. I'm sure that there are ways you can keep it lower than that, but it's better to estimate too high than too low.

A couple of things to consider:
-The website for that venue states that prices are going up after April 2009.
-I see you've budgeted for transportation from the venue to the hotel, but I don't see anything for the hotel itself.
-As far as lodging goes, I don't know how long you plan on staying, but a lot of the places at South Lake have minimum night stays, especially if you'll be there over a weekend.
-Marriage licenses in Douglas County (where Stateline is located) are $55. You were very close in your budget; however the fee in Nevada does not include any certified copies of your license. Each copy is $10, and you will need at least one.
-What about music for the ceremony and reception? Are you planning to have dancing? I may have missed it, but I didn't notice anything on the venue's site that a DJ is included.
-I strongly recommend that you consider looking at some vendors (specifically photographer, videographer, and DJ, if you're having one) in the Carson City/Reno areas. Most are willing to travel, since it's at most an hour up to Stateline, and you will likely find many options that are more budget friendly than some based right at the lake.

I hope I managed to help a little. I think it's wonderful that you're planning on marrying at Tahoe. It is one of our absolutely favorite places, and is the most amazing setting for a wedding. :D

[MemphisMom]

Are you going to include travel costs to the location from Mississippi? You will have to fly into either Reno or San Francisco and drive either way.

Are your attendants able to pay for their transportation to Lake Tahoe? I read that your FH's parents have said that they cannot afford to travel, you need to be sure that your bridal party is aware of the costs.

For 2008, your budget seems OK, but keep in mind inflation will make a difference in 3 years. Will any of the vendors even take a deposit this soon? I would not give any deposits more than 1 year in advance...you could lose your $$.

just a few things to think about...

[Aramelle]

Are you going to include travel costs to the location from Mississippi? You will have to fly into either Reno or San Francisco and drive either way.

I was just thinking about this last night...trying to remember whether there was anything budgeted for travel to Tahoe.

In regards to flights, I would recommend you consider flying into Sacramento. Even living in Reno, DH and I have found it's often better to drive over to Sac and fly from there because there tends to be far better options for flights, and the prices are *usually* less (we tend to save $100-$200, even with paying for gas for the drive and parking at the airport). Sacramento is a lot closer drive than San Francisco, so the gas would definitely be easier on the budget. :)

[KelciAlexandra]

Are you going to include travel costs to the location from Mississippi? You will have to fly into either Reno or San Francisco and drive either way.

Are your attendants able to pay for their transportation to Lake Tahoe? I read that your FH's parents have said that they cannot afford to travel, you need to be sure that your bridal party is aware of the costs.

For 2008, your budget seems OK, but keep in mind inflation will make a difference in 3 years. Will any of the vendors even take a deposit this soon? I would not give any deposits more than 1 year in advance...you could lose your $$.

just a few things to think about...

we're actually going to try to move to gardnerville (outside of carson city) after we finish school, so right now we're not worried about having to pay for our plane tickets (b/c there might not be any). also where i grew up and where almost all of my family live is about a 4 hour drive to tahoe so basically all the major airports in northern california are open to us IF we have to fly in (sf, oakland, sac, reno, ect)

have talked to the attendents (the for sure ones) and the the MOH and BM have agreed to pay there way to fly out to the wedding

and actually today i was thinking about inflation and talked to fh about it. i re-did the budget and with todays prices got it down to $15,000 (so that is our goal now) but me and fh have decided to cap it off at $20,000 and acknowledge that it can easily get that high if we dont micromanage

and for aramelle's question about the dj, we're going to see if we can just use an ipod and have a good friend be the MC

[Aramelle]

I think it is very wise to bump the budget up a bit in anticipation of prices going up over the next few years. It's also good to give yourselves a definite cap to how much you'll spend on the wedding.

and for aramelle's question about the dj, we're going to see if we can just use an ipod and have a good friend be the MC

We did this (well, we used a laptop rather than ipod, but you get the point), and it worked out perfectly. :)