I am getting all sorts of advice for the wedding planning and budget figuring from other recently married people... I was worried about the cost of everything but thanks to them I am seeing the light!

Email 1:
I thought of some more stuff when you left. You need to figure
out a tentative guest list so you should probably ask pauline for a list
of who was invited to Kendra's and revamp it. Then try to book your
reception site and remember to ask a lot of questions to each site first:
if they provide tables and chairs... if you can tour it...can you eat only
in certain places.. some places have table cloths and things provided...
what it costs for them to cater or is there a cost if you have someone
else cater.... what rules does the facility have.. do you have to clean up
afterwards.... can you dance there... do they have rules about music
volume (if it is a hotel sometimes)... if it is outside what about the
lighting especially at night... we had a few problems at kendra's wedding
with not enough outlets so... check and make sure there are quite a few of
them... and also make sure there is lots of parking! That is just stuff
for booking a reception site. Also they may require like a down payment to
hold it for that date so you may want to be prepared for that. I don't
know a lot about having them cater it because we just had friends do
that... but you could ask them if there is discounts for children and what
the prices are for appetizers versus dinners etc.


Email 2:
Ok I would guess by what you are saying that you could pull it off for
3-4000 dollars! Maybe less if you are really good. As far as I know Zion
costs about 400 to rent and if you really want to cut costs have your
reception there that will save you a bundle.
So here is what I would lay out as a price range
Church 400 (with reception hall)
250? (w/out
reception hall)
Pastoral Fee 100? (ask Dale)
Your Gown and all accessories 400 (try to stay under that
for
everything including
shoes veil, , jewelry,
and rehearsal dress or you
could borrow one I have quite
a few fancier dresses if you wanna
look or try etc)
Seth's Tux 100 (including
shoes)
Your Hair, Nails etc 50 (do it yourself to save)
or have a
friend/bridesmaid do it
Ceremony Decorations 100 (altar flowers, etc)
Photographer ???
Reception Music 150 or less (good
place to cut $)
Ceremony Musician(s) 100 or less (they do need $
and
usually a gift)
Reception Stuff (expect to spend most of your money here)
Food $500
Decorations $300
Caters or whoever $300
To Rent the place $400
Cake $75 or less (also
good to save)
By making your own
Videotaping Person ???
Invitations, Envelopes, Stamps $300 - do it yourself and buy the
paper etc.
Gifts
Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen $150 (for all of their gifts)
Other People who helped out need favors $100
You should write checks to the people who helped out also
depends on what they charge (included in stuff above
mostly) except musicians and singers need checks, or
scripture readers etc.
Your Parents $100 (they need gifts too)
Flowers - 300
these are really expensive. I would suggest either buying them in
bulk from samsclub.com (we have an account) and making them yourselves or
Pauline and Joan are good But may not have a lot of time. Check with Zion
and see if you could make them before hand and store them in there fridges
so they will keep better
But remember you should have some sort of boutinieres for all the
groomsmen, boquets for the girls, and corsages or boutineiers for the
pastor, musicians, singers, and other people who are helping out at the
ceremony and reception. You may want to order these but use cheaper flowers
like daisies or something inexpensive (carnations) it will save you time and
will be worth your money in the end


Rings (they are expensive and may be difficult to find maybe does Pauline
have Wayne's Ring still? Cause that could work for Seth (I think that would
be really nice?!) For you when Seth buys an engagement ring (or has he
already?) try to get the wedding band and the engagement ring as a set You
can save money that way and get rings that fit nicely together and remember
it's not the size of the diamond it's just about what it symbolizes (hard to
remember I know but... It is definitely what matters the most)

Ok so this is an approximate budget and obviously the honeymoon is not
included in this... Make it short and sweet, you wont do anything but stay
in bed on your honeymoon anyways so don't make it a big deal. We stayed one
night in a hotel and then went home and later we went for a weekend camping
in door county. But your whole first year will basically be like a honeymoon
so... don't make a big deal about this part.

This adds up to about $3725. A good way to cut costs is to borrow stuff
other people have. I have a lot so does Pauline from Kendra's wedding. Kari
also has stuff and so does Tina Riutta. I am sure any of them would be
willing to help out. Another thing though is if you are doing the food
yourself plan ahead you want to try to have most stuff all done by the week
before your wedding. That way you can relax so try to plan food that can be
made at least 3-4 days a head and only a few things that need to be put
together then. Start buying things now. Try to find someone who can order
food in bulk or by it at Gordons Foods.

Also, if you spread your purchases out it is easier so buy your attendant
gifts now. Start buying the things like paper, envelopes, stamps, and start
writing out thank you notes to people who you know are going to be helping
you out. Wrap your attendant gifts right away... this will help you so much
later on because the last few days are busy enough!