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$12,500 is the total, honeymoon included. This is my plan:

PLATINUM PACKAGE 80 guests $6,247.74 (tax and service included)
Ballroom (5.5 hr event time + 2.5hr setup) (I have no idea why they give so much time)
Access to Cocktail Area / Game Room
Access to Patio & Gazebo Area / Ceremony Site
Access to Bridal Suite
1 Security Officer (I am keeping him/her for personal reasons)
Banquet Chairs and Round Banquet Tables
Chair Cover with Sash (color of choice)
Table Cover with Overlay (color of choice)
Skirted Head, Cake, Gift, and Registration Table
Centerpiece – Glass Candle Holder on Mirror (she is upgrading it for free!)
Ceiling Drapery Décor
China, Glassware, and Flatware
Linen Napkins (standard selection)
Professional Bussing Staff
Full Service Setup and Cleanup
Dinner Buffet with Menu Option A
Entrée (choice of 1)
Starch Side Dish (choice of 1)
Vegetable Side Dish (choice of 1)
Salad (choice of 1)
Rolls and Croissants / Tortillas
Water with Ice Tea or Fruit Punch

They are also setting up the outside area for guests who smoke, and giving me a deal of $150 for a fruit tree or platter and a small chocolate fountain. The venue also comes with a pool table and tvs for entertainment while we're taking pictures since it is all indoors.

Now, am I missing anything from below? We're not using a limo, please don't suggest one lol

$680 dress, veil, tiara, petticoat, and undergarments
$350 flowers (just six attendants total for us and then our moms, his dad, and my grandparents)
$100 invitations, place cards, tags (I'm getting printing for free)
$50 candy bag favors (tulle bags with M&Ms in our colors, no print)
$450 wine (3-4 bottles per table, it's not a sit down dinner)
$300 cakes (friend is doing them for $1/slice, cutting is $1/person)
$40 ‘wishing’ tree (manzanita branches and tags for wishes)
$200 bride/groom pampering (nails, hair, makeup and his haircut and whatnot)
$30 shoes (I'm a good shoe shopper)
$950 photography (this includes 5-6 hrs, and a CD, and I think bridals and engagements as well)
$275 minister (eh, I'm trying to get a friend to do this)
$315 wedding party gifts (once again, small WP)
$30 bridal jewelry (found a great set at DBs)
$60 groom’s accessories (shoes, and whatnot)
$30 postage
$70 knife/cake serving set, flutes, guestbook (buying online)
$50 flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow
$2,500 honeymoon (not sure about this yet)

We may actually have more room to save now that we're waiting a couple more weeks than planned. So does this look okay for a budget? Am I missing anything?
= $12,727.74

$249.74 over budget!
Janice are you high? $950 for a photographer is not bad? I did WORST case scenario here. Least amount saved, with the most I would pay towards each thing. I'm not saying we want to spend that much at all. It's just a figure! I'm $250 over, but we have two more weeks to save now, and we might have raises or bonuses before that time. We might only spend $200 on flowers or $500 on a photographer. It's just an estimate. I wanted to know if I left anything off? The honeymoon is big because we are going to an island. I keep hearing that I am spending too much on the reception and not enough on the honeymoon and now here is the opposite?! We are also staying in an upscale hotel in a large city the night of the wedding. Sooooo...
Oh! My friend is going to DJ, they are also setting the mood lights and colors to auto so we can enjoy something without having to pay $75.
Well some of the pricing I gave you I already had in the total. Sorry if I confused you. I've gone over it three times and I am not wrong there. I love the tips. I will definitely try to do as much myself. I am going to serve one glass per person for dinner (wine) great suggestion! I just need to find a white and red as an option maybe. Depends on the dinner I assume. Red is an aquired taste, but I enjoy it myself. As I said, this is just to get an idea. I'd love to spend less on each item. I just broke it down using my own judgement instead of percentages. They didn't work for me considering the bulk of things is already included in the package. I am going to have a small rehearsal hopefully. Probably have my family make dinner since they are dying to make dinner for the wedding, they can do this instead and I would save a lot of money have it at someone's home. Thanks again!
Oh and to the answerer about the postage, I'm assuming I live in a more expensive area than you. The only other place cheaper (and decent - ie not a living room in a house or a church) was $3,300 NOTHING included. Just to rent! I am not sure about attaching postage yet, but at any rate, my #'s include dates for each person and some are large families.

I'm not getting personalized M&Ms, no way. The tulle bags are maybe 20 cents each. I'm not filling them to the brim either. I want to offer something edible without hassle, but without overdoing it. I hear a lot of favors get left. I never noticed favors myself. A dinner with friends is enough for me and most the people I associate with feel the same.

There are several areas you could cut back on expenses.
1) The wedding party gifts. You should be able to cut that in half if you get creative.
2) Wine. Like the other poster said, just serve enough for toasts. Can the rest be byob?
3) Cake knife set. Surely you can find some cheaper. Check out Target, Hobby Lobby or another party store.
4) Flower girl/ring bearer. Surely you can find some cheaper. Check out Target, Hobby Lobby or another party store.
5)Honeymoon. (We took a 7 day cruise and spent $1500, maybe $2000 after paying the on-board alcohol bill.)
6) Wishing tree. Is this really necessary? Just leave cuts of paper on the dinner table.

Are you having any music? DJ? Band? iPod?

This is just my humble opinion. Do what you want. I'm just suggesting areas where I can see you can save money.

2009-11-11 11:14:14 by j

powerblue.us The elements can be brutal for the finishes on spa covers, slides, outdoor patio furniture and other poolside materials made out of ...

Good looking, 55 yr. old VP of construction firm.

He has everything he needs or wants!

He drinks beer (only) and smokes cigars but only a certain kind (gift baskets with various types are not an option - I've tried).
He restored a car, but it's perfected and nothing I could know is needed. ('57 Bel Aire)
He works with tools but owns every type - probably more than one, he's already told me that.
He wears cologne, but can't smell!
He's a freemason, but I've exhausted all gifts that relate
He golfs, but has brand new clubs, bag, shoes, magazine subscr. He already stocks up on golf balls and tees.
He has a brand new computer, and doesn't care for any other tech-related items.
He buys new clothes all the time and hates my taste (he's a bit, um, unstylish)
He's fun - but have jokingly bought him nerf guns, portable videogames and remote control cars in the past.
No hunting or fishing or bowling.
He loves food - but a "meat and potatoes" type of guy - one that already has Omaha steaks deliver all the time.
No sweet tooth.
Will not watch a movie twice, nor tv shows.
He gets gift cards from clients all the time.
No ties.
Renovating the house - well, hired help is
He gardens, but barely. Tomatoes and squash only, I think.
Likes jewelry, but his taste is not affordable.
Doesn't care for sports - goes to some NFL games, but not a true "fan"
New wallet. His type of watches wouldn't suit my budget.
He already has a stack of books he claims to be "getting a start on"
Mom deals with decor. Nothing like that would be of interest.
No work gear and he has a company car. GPS, cell phone and accessories are redundant.
Travels so much for work, he doesn't care to go for pleasure. Travel items - luggage, travel pillows, etc. would never be used.
He's practical.
We have a huge inground pool. Mom buys the fun stuff, and other people come to clean.
We have a game room - likes billards and darts - new balls, cues, chalk-holder even. Table was recently recovered and whole dartboard set-up is new.
Has an outdoor firepit - had two, gave me one- He already have me his old patio furniture that was from this summer, he didn't like it.
He has all the music he cares for, I've tried to buy him some and he either already had it or didn't care b /c he has satellite radio.
Would not be caught dead at a concert.
Does his own lawn, oddly enough. He has all the needs, like mower, leaf blower, weed eater, pesticides...

ANY other ideas? In reality he's fun but honestly has all the necessities. Therefore, I need a unique gift that isn't generic - but must be practical too. He's not a fan of "gifting for the sake of gifting." Also, not religious.
I think all of you have given me some great ideas! Not sure which I'll pick, but I'll def check out some of the websites you all recommended. He loves nice wallets, and his are always getting worn out. As for the classic car stuff, I just have no idea where to begin - he's not the type for "novelty" items like keychains and such, but maybe I could get out of him if he'd like a new gear stick or seat covers - his car is bad-a and I get it eventually!
The utopia beer from Sam Adams is a great idea (I worked at a liquor store all through college and we had the really neat looking metal bottle) for the connoisseur, but my dad likes bud and bud only...

Anyways, thanks for all the ideas - you have helped immensely!

Still, any other novel ideas are still welcome !!!

So he has a fully restored 57 Chevy. You don't put in that kind or time or money into an old car unless you like old cars. There are a lot of places online that sell parts for old cars. They also sell other really neat stuff that relate to old cars. Shirts, hats, keychains, jewelery, lighters, chairs, clocks.....literally anything you can think of. Try them, you might find something there.

2009-11-12 00:10:16 by ScienceChic

Price: $11.49 $8.29

Has regulator
Holds up to six 3-Inch tabs
Heavy duty floating chlorinator