Planning a wedding on a budget from overseas

#1 hensley1971

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I'm trying to plan a wedding on a budget from overseas, with the help of family. Currently I'm in Japan with my fiance, but we are planning a wedding in Florida in August. My uncle has a bar so I dont have to pay for a reception hall and can have liquor at cost. The local church is only 500 dollars for the ceremony. It will be a small wedding - about 30-40 guests and we would like a somewhat casual reception. Planning from overseas is very difficult. We were hoping to keep the budget in the 5000 to 7000 dollar range. Is the reasonable, or am I kidding myself? What should I expect to pay for catering (buffet) for up to 40 guests? I'm planning on ham and pork I guess. How about photographer for the ceremony and reception, decorations, entertainment... I could use some general help.

thanks,
michael

#2 Guest_expertplanner_*

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Dear Hensley:

Generally, you are going to spend fifty percent of your budget just for the reception (food, drink, alcohol). So right off the bat, you are looking at $2500 - $3500 just in food, and whatever your alcohol cost will be. The photographer fee will vary based on what you want but can run an estimated 7% of your budget, music 2% or more, decorations 5% or more. As you can see, just in these few estimates, your budget dwindles quickly. I think your figure is REALLY conservative and will mean you making some serious and selective choices.

Cheers!

#3 The Video Pros

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Anything is possible as long as you are realistic about your goals and limitations. There are some people who have plenty of money available for their wedding, so they can have their cake and eat it too[] But then there are others who are on very limited budgets, such as yours.

I hope you're planning on having a professional photographer take your photos. Most range from $1,200 to $2,500, but worth every penny. Years from now you might want to ask yourself what you would like to see AFTER your wedding....receipts or memories?

Keep in mind that most of your guests won't remember what they ate or how your cake looked. Please consider putting your money where YOU most want it to go. Entertainment sadly gets the lowest amount, yet it is the entertainer (DJ, Band, or whatever) that will help make your evening the most memorable. So, try and allocate more of your budget to this area.

Regarding the buffet and your friends and not knowing your background, I would suggest that you try and make note what religious or dietary beliefs might limit your meat selection (i.e. muslims - no pork, hindus - no beef, jewish - kosher only).

In summary, based on a $7,000 budget:

Designate a good portion of your budget toward your memories, such as your photographer and/or videographer...twenty percent = $1,400 which is average cost in industry.

For entertainment consider no less than seven percent $490 or up to at least ten percent, which is only $700.

You didn't mention if your dress is counted in the budget, if so, then your dress should be next. But for this example, we'll assume it isn't.

Wedding cakes average from $3 per slice to $30. Forty guests at $12 per slice = $480 (seven percent).

Catering $40 per person x 40 = $1,600 (twenty-five percent). Note, some catering can be had for $25 per person. If you're getting alcohol at cost, the extra $15 per person could be allocated toward the alcohol and brings up the amount to $40 per head.

Church $500 (about seven percent)

20, 10, 7, 25, 7 = 74% allocated so far,

leaving 26% percent of your budget... $1,750 for flowers, decorations etc. Since you are planning on using your uncle's bar, which might already be a nice venue depending on its interior, decorations could simply consist of silk floral arrangements, balloons, and party favors.

Hope this helps!!