I discovered the other day that when I signed up to ukbride I budgeted 4k for the big day. That plan obviously didn't last long because as far as I remember it has been 5 k. Anyway, as we get more and more stuff done, everything seems to be much more expensive than I originally found and the budget keeps creeping up and up.
We are now struggling to do everything we would like for 6k and that's with a village hall for £140 (got it for an extra day to decorate), my dress was only £300, DIY stationary, ring cushion and centrepieces and other stuff but it's just so hard to find good deals for things like transport, furniture hire, wedding cake and it's making me angry lol! Argh! Major stress!
Have you girls managed to keep to your budgets quite well or struggling a bit like me? x
CommentAuthorWeeMintyMonkie
I am hoping too but the dress i want is already £100 over what i wanted to spend on it. Our hall is gonna be more expensive than we would prefer but its the cheapest so far. Still loads of stuff for us to sort out and have no idea how much its all gonna cost yet!!
xxx
CommentAuthorJill
We originally thought 5k would cover it but for what we want that was never going to do. It's more than doubled, not to mention honeymoon and dress (both of which are being covered by our parents) but we decided just to go with it. H2b has pretty much just accepted it but I'm a bit daunted by the large amount of money when it's only one day.
How about marks for cake? Or a supermarket that do cakes? Not found particularly good deals for transport and not needed furniture so cant help there sorry xx
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorKirky
If it wasn't for other people paying for specific things, like my dad for the photographer, my mum for the flower, my sister for my hen spa day and H2Bs parent giving us £1000 towards the honeymoon then we we would be about 2K over what we have put aside for the wedding; so in reality we are about £2000 over budget. And that is with me pulling in favours to get things for free, such as my uncle being a hairdress and doing my hair for free on the day.
CommentAuthorAnnette
I made a list of everything I wanted and that added up to about 12K, then started cutting away at it and now down to 7K, so I guess you could say I've done quite well, but I haven't REALLY set a budget yet as I dont really know what we'll have to spend for another few months
I think ours has pretty much doubled, we had a totally unexpected and very kind donation to the wedding fund from my FIL2b and H2b is earning a lot more now than when we first set our budget. We decided that we would regret not spending a bit more on our wedding and unfortunately I have expensive taste :s
There are so many people out there who will tell you
what you can't do.
What you have to do is turn around and say, "watch me"!!
CommentAuthorspooney24
edited
We initially set our budget for £12k or thereabouts after adding up an approx cost for everything but circumstances changed and also im always on the look out for a bargain and love making things we ended up doing it all for £7.5 which included our wee honeymoon too. xx
26th December 2007 - the day I met my special man
8th August 2008 - the day he was mad enough to propose to me
24th July 2010 - the day I felt beautiful inside and out and
became Mrs Dickie for life. xx
CommentAuthorSpecialSundae
We started off thinking £15-20k and it's now closer to £30k but we haven't exactly gone over budget as we agreed we'd spend what we could afford and our families have been REALLY generous.
As long as you can afford what you're spending, I don't think it matters if you go over budget.
CommentAuthorKaz
edited
I've started off with a budget of just £1,000!
We took a big chunk out with having to change to a church (£365) instead of having the registry office (£115) but at the moment I'm still on track!
The only thing that could take us over will be the food I reckon!
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorbarbie86
I originally wanted to do things low-key spending maybe £5-6k excluding the rings and honeymoon. Now, our budget is much higher (around £15k excluding rings and honeymoon). We haven't gone over though; I started looking at venues and my parents were dead against what I was thinking of (small ceremony then reception at a pub), and offered to pay for most of it. My OH and I sat down and discussed what we wanted, as my parents said we could either have a more expensive wedding, or, if we really wanted a cheaper one, they'd pay for it plus give us something towards a deposit on a place. We ended up going for the expensive wedding.
I think it's easy to get carried away and we have spent more in some areas than we planned; for instance, our wedding breakfast at £40 a head for a 2 course buffet has gone up to £50 a head as we decided to have 3 courses, with the starter and dessert served to the table, and a buffet main. Food is important so I don't want to scrimp on it. But, I'm determined to stay within budget where possible, and we certainly won't be taking out a loan or getting into debt to cover anything; if we can't afford to pay cash, then no matter how nice something might be, we won't have it.
I would LOVE a Pronovias dress for eg and am hoping to get one second hand, or in a sample sale; if not, then if I can't save enough to buy one full-price, I'll have to have something else instead, as that's life unfortunately.
CommentAuthorjoey86
We started off with a budget of £5k. However, after looking at venues we realised that yes we could get a venue within our overall budget, but it would mean that we would barely have enough for anything else after. However, after a few quick sums we realised that in the time we have and if we carry on saving as we are, that we would have around 6.5k. This has given us a bit more leeway with venues and the prices in London. That said, our preferred venue prices have been very reasonable considering the area and the time of year. For us, the venue/catering and photography are the most important things. To keep the costs down on other things we are doing our own stationery (with the help from my friend who's a graphic designer), our centrepieces will be DIY, my friend has a convertible that we're hoping to borrow as a wedding car or alternatively, h2b has made a contact with someone who could give us 2 cars for an unbelievable price, and my dress is costing £100 max. x
CommentAuthorJane
as far as am awear we budgeted for £20k and so far we're under that :) by £3'5k as we've saved loads by gettting stuff on bay of e which has been a godsent :)
yay soon 2 be Lady Jane Bradbury
CommentAuthorrebeccalou21
iv never had a budget but so far everything has been cheaper than i thought and iv got really good deals. even my catering package has come in under. got my florist app. on tues so fingers crossed for that too x
CommentAuthorBradshaw2Be
our budget was originally £16k but its now about £17.5k, its just crazy how much things cost and also i have found out that i'm very picky when it comes to things I want. Our main downfall was our guest numbers as we didn't realise how many people we actually knew and wanted to invite. We have found the most important things now so its just the smaller things we need to worry about now.
CommentAuthorChrissy~MrsFaulds2b
We had a figure of £12k to start with!! We roughly guessed what we thought each item would be and added it up. However, once everything was booked and i'd seen all the extras the 'budget' slowly started to rise. We have our last payments to make in the next few weeks and once all done and paid for it would have cost us £19k. I've gone all out on some things but others I've done myself like the stationary and the sweetie buffet. We booked and put deposits down in Sept 2010 so £19k in 12 months isn't too bad. We didn't want to get loans as we are against debt so we've just used all spare money from h2b wages and done without a family holiday abroad this year. The only thing we haven't done is booked our honeymoon as we have Christmas just around the corner and with four kids to buy for isn't cheap. So, we're going to the Maldives next year ( although we keep changing our mind on the destination, lol ) and staying at our Caravan in Hafan Y Mor the week after the wedding just for a break. The food and drink is what cost us the most. As soon as the word wedding was mentioned it's like they had pound signs rolling around their eyes!!
CommentAuthorKerrylmac
We never really set a budget as such. Before we were engaged i used to think that i could never spend more than £10k on a wedding and my sister had a lovely one for £7k but then we got engaged and fell in love with our venue so decided to put the 'budget' at £12k this is now £15k and i still have stuff to buy. To be honest though we never actually set a budget we just thought we would decide as we go along if we could afford it or not. x
CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
well its looks like we could be under budget ..... so far we have paid out £2010.77 with about another 3k to pay
We're still on budget, in fact a little bit under. We budgeted £10K for the Vegas wedding, lunch, limo tour, flights and accomodationf or us, the harley davidson hire, all hotels/motels whilst on honeymoon as well as the London reception, wedding rings, suits, dresses etc. etc. The most expensive thing was the London venue, but I still think we've done well with that at £2.5K which includes welcome drinks and catering. It's really helped that my sister has done all the alterations on my dress and is making our cake. Also that my mum made our invitations, I made the StD's and my mum and Godmother have made my bouquet, the FG's wand and all the table decorations, so saved a lot there! And a friend of mine is doing the photography in London for gratis! Hx
Vegas baby!
Moderator
CommentAuthorJill
I think the problem is that our original expectations arent really based on anything - we have a round figure we want to spend then see the wee special bits we want added. It really could go on and on, I'm terrible. Only tonight I was saying to h2b that I'd found the perfect cake. He asked whether it would taste £200 better and when you think about it, it wouldnt. As he said - the cake isnt really something people remember unless it's totally different so I'll go with the original cake x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorKaz
Jill
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorKayteeG
edited
To be honest, we never really set a budget, as we didn't know for definite how much money we'd have (having a baby and not knowing whether I'd go back to work etc) so the plan was just to spend as little as possible! It's worked well so far - made lots myself, got my dress from Voldemort etc so quite pleased. I am however looking forward to after the wedding as we should have a bit more spare cash again!
CommentAuthorKaz
How much do you reckon it's cost Kaytee?
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthormelliecake
Thanks for all the responses! It makes me feel better to hear that I'm not the only one going over. I have found that I am repeating myself a lot saying that so and so is sooo important so it needs to be good, can't think of much that I want to sacrifice which is really hard when I need to keep to under 6k. The food was definitely a killer, originally wanted to a do a DIY buffet and budgeted £300 but decided I can't deal with the stress so getting caterers and it's coming to £900! Will be doing DIY for evening buffet though which shouldn't be too hard...I hope! X
CommentAuthorx~Hails~x
Have I kept to my budget?......................LMAO I WISH!!!!!
When I started this planning I thought yeah 5k was plenty but I've found it creeping up and it's now nearing to 8!
UKBride moderator both on here and on facebook
For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart
It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.
CommentAuthorLaticschick Holland
Erm we have done pretty good, out budget was 3k, minus a honeymoon, we have hit around 5k but we are having a honeymoon included in that so pretty happy with it all
CommentAuthorKayteeG
Erm, I'm not really sure to be honest lol! Somewhere between £3000-£4000 I think - probably the lower end. And that's for absolutely everything - we did have a tiny bit of help - 2 people gave us an early wedding present of cash because they knew how skint we are!
CommentAuthorJill
Ah I know what you mean. We're having sit down but I wanted a choice on ours but it's almost another £6 a head which is flippin expensive. H2b doesnt want canapes as he thinks they arent needed and I cant really argue with it, but I would like them as I thought they were a really special touch at a wedding we went to. How good the day is will really come down to the people who are there though, no doubt about it. Nobody apart from you will notice if the small things arent there, I need to keep telling myself this x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorKaz
That's pretty good Kaytee! And Jill you are right, we weren't going to have favours because extra money and someone said "oh people will notice!" so I'm trying to work that into the budget now, funny thing is, out of the last 4 weddings I've been to I can only remember 1 favour I received!
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorKayteeG
I think there's so many little things which you think you need but in all fairness, most people wont notice them. I think most brides only realise they 'need' certain things when they start planning their own wedding!
CommentAuthorJill
Kaz nobody really bothers with the favours either do they - you'd be as well giving each person £2 on the way out lol we were at a wedding last year and I'd never have thought about favours, but the woman sat at the table held up these wee bubbles (decoration, not favours) and said to the bride that her favours were sh*t - imagine saying anything like that! x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorVicky
We have kept to budget. In fact we are 600 under and hoping a few thing might come in a bit under on the lead up as a few things are still estimated
CommentAuthorKaz
OMG - How beeping rude!
I'd have said if you'd paid for your meal, I could have got you something nice and kicked her out!
We're thinking of flower bulbs, I can buy a massive pack with enough for everyone and make the little bags myself for under £10 for 60 people, kids have goody bags anyway to keep them amused! What do you think?
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorspooney24
edited
I wouldnt worry about favours Kaz as its just an added extra,you are already giving your guests the gift of seeing you get married and a free meal and glass of whatever to toast and a free party afterwards. Put the money towards something else and if you really want to have something instead of favours on the table if you think it looks bare without them and needs a bit of colour add a coloured insert to your napkins or a few more table crystals or such like. xx
26th December 2007 - the day I met my special man
8th August 2008 - the day he was mad enough to propose to me
24th July 2010 - the day I felt beautiful inside and out and
became Mrs Dickie for life. xx
CommentAuthorKaz
Juney, I'm not having centrepieces on the tables just a white table cloth and a thin runner as my friend is lending me cloths and I can make the runner cheap enough with organza! Food is just a cold fork buffet, keeping costs right down! xx
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorJill
Kaz I think that's a lovely idea, and spoony you're so right! The amount spent per head should be more than enough without giving an extra gift lol didnt it used to be decorations off the cake that were given as favours? x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorMrsH2B
After reading this post I think i had better start costing things up. Our budget is going to include the clothes we need to buy for the whole of our stay, we need suitcases, toiletries etc. The main cost of wedding/holiday came to £3450. So trying to not go over the 5-6k mark 4 everything else. Better get on to my lists, i cant remember how u do the calculations on a spreadsheet. Another bit of school that was useless lol in one ear out the other. x
Leave for Jamaica in 2days!!!
18/06/12 I'll become a wifey...I'll marry my best friend!!!
7 days to go!!!!
CommentAuthorspooney24
Wasnt meaning centrepieces at all Kaz I was meaning instead of favours as you so dont need to do them unless you really want to. What is your wedding colours as if you wished I have some packets of red heart table confetti that wasnt used and is free to you or anyone, just would need a PM with address to send. If they are any use to you Kaz you are welcome to them. xx
26th December 2007 - the day I met my special man
8th August 2008 - the day he was mad enough to propose to me
24th July 2010 - the day I felt beautiful inside and out and
became Mrs Dickie for life. xx
CommentAuthorJill
Mrs H have you used the tool on here? x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorFruity_pops
we set a budget of about 2500k and we have managed to do it for about 1500k only thing left to get is food and we are only having to pay for any food we need as a friend is doing it for us.
really happy with the saving but not really noticed it as .. as we save we have spend it else where insted :( rubbish at saving
xXx Cant wait till am Mrs Lever xXx
26th August 2011 at 3pm
cant believe it .. less then 30 days to go !!!
CommentAuthorJill
I'm rubbish at saving too hun, h2b's great - probably why we work so well lol x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorMrsH2B
No Jill, I haven't will investigate now though thanks x
Leave for Jamaica in 2days!!!
18/06/12 I'll become a wifey...I'll marry my best friend!!!
7 days to go!!!!
CommentAuthorJill
That's what I'm using, had a spreadsheet with lots of sums in, took me ages to do then I lost it when I had to restore my factory settings, couldnt be bothered doing it again so basic it is lol x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorsuzky123
we had a budget of 12K.... we are no where near that as how all in, including honeymoon without spends, we are looking at 24-26K but luckily we have paid off around 6 and by xmas we should have the rest of it. We fell into the trap of going over on one thing and then it escalated from there to match.
cant wait to be Mrs Evans less than 3 weeks woooo
start weight 10st 1.5 lbs
weight now 8st 4.5 lbs
total loss to date: 24.5 lbs now need to maintain!
CommentAuthorMrsH2B
Jill how much detail have you done urs in? Have you done spends per item I have just kinda lumped it 2gether and not sure if i should break it down more. x
Leave for Jamaica in 2days!!!
18/06/12 I'll become a wifey...I'll marry my best friend!!!
7 days to go!!!!
CommentAuthorJill
On here I broke it down as far as bm dresses, flowers, venue etc so more what i'm paying to each supplier rather than per item xx
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorMrsH2B
Ok hun thanks, I have just put general wedding attire but might break them down more. Thanks 4 ur help! x
Leave for Jamaica in 2days!!!
18/06/12 I'll become a wifey...I'll marry my best friend!!!
7 days to go!!!!
CommentAuthorJill
No probs xx
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorEnny
I set myself a budget of 5K obviously that doesnt work out with the Venue being 5,5 K plus food... photographer etc :)
as for the stationary I bought DIY of the bay highly recommend it as it is quite reasonable and good quality (if you want the link more than happy to post it to your wall)
as for the cake i'm doing my own (cupcakes have the cupcakestand already) and also mum decided to make me another bigger one too :) but the do quite good reasonable cakes apparently at M&S or also u can buy tiers separate and put it all together and put ribbon and details on by yourself saves you defo money :)
CommentAuthormelliecake
Good plan with the cake Enny, our cake lady has added £70 to the price of our cake after we wanted to change the design bringing it to £250, there is no way we want pay that much for a cake!
Jill - I would actually tell anyone who says my favours are s**t to get out and shut the door behind them! As IF you would do that after getting a free meal etc etc. x
CommentAuthorOfficially Mrs M
ours has crept up but we sort of budgeted what we could afford to save a month and that gave us the out come. now we've got a budget for all the bits and pieces and its crept up a bit, we are still at the affordable stage with the monthly payments as i've been buying stuff for my invites out of my wage instead of out of the budget and we've not taken into account what we've already bought. we started with a budget of £5.5k and then i had to include my dress as my dad lost his job etc. etc so its more like £6750 now
8th September 2012 I married my best friend
1st September 2014 our little family grew by one
Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde
Jill
