Real Wedding Budget Breakdown from Jessica & Jamie

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As she plans her upcoming wedding, my little sister has asked me for resources that show real couples’ wedding budgets, and the truth is that they’re not easy to come by! Today, Jessica and Jamie have shared their charming carousel wedding with us, along with a complete breakdown of their real budget (scroll down for the details). But first, some lovely photos by Jillian Mitchell (who shot the wedding as a gift to her brother, the groom) and details from the bride!

Jillian Mitchell

Jillian Mitchell

We knew we didn’t want a standard country club wedding. Originally I had my heart set on renting a carnival ride and having the wedding in my parent’s backyard. After their objections and (legitimate) concerns and discovering that it’s prohibitively expensive and difficult to rent a carnival ride we decided a carousel would be even better. After visiting a few in the area we saw the one at Battleship Cove and knew it was perfect. It had a beautiful patio right on the water as well as a back drop of battleships and vintage trains, and the carousel was located on the second floor of the building—allowing for plenty of room for the bar, candy buffet, appetizers and the cocktail hour inside.

Jillian Mitchell

Jillian Mitchell

I called my mom everyday while planning, really just to vent. It was such a wild time and I was hanging on with my fingertips. I don’t even remember what I said or she said exactly, but I’m pretty sure it was something to the effect of Calm down, it’ll be okay. It was.

Jillian Mitchell

Jillian Mitchell

I love anything that is quirky, fun and a little out of the ordinary. Going for a 1920’s carnival just seemed to fit what we wanted and gave us the option to bounce between casual carnival and formal 1920’s glamour. I got to have my vintage looking dress and fascinator and we got to get all sorts of fun accents and accessories. There were colorful fans, bunting, paper windmills, bow ties, and feather boas.

Favorite moments from the day? Catching each other try very hard to not get teary eyed during the ceremony. Sneaking a drink and a cigarette together before we joined the reception from behind the building and having the cop (that we hired!) tell us we couldn’t be there. Dancing with Jamie and all my friends (we aren’t dancers!). Hugging everyone. Riding the carousel in my wedding dress. Making hilarious faces in the photo booth. Holding hands in our getaway car.

 

Here’s the full budget breakdown and vendor list for Jessica and Jamie’s carousel wedding for 130 guests:

VENUE/RENTALS
Venue, 8 hours (Carousel at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts): $1600
Park Fee: $35
Tent, Tables, Chairs, Lighting (Central Mass Party Rentals): $2535
Party Bus / Hotel Transportation: $1600
Getaway Car: $200
Security: $250
TOTAL: $6220

LINENS/TABLEWARE
Bamboo Dinner Plates: $120
Cornstarch Appetizer and Dessert Plates: $50
Recycled Napkins: $20
Paper Straws: $30
Birchwood Cutlery: $50
Cornstarch Drink Cups: $50
Compostible Coffee Cups: $50
TOTAL: $370

FOOD/DRINK
Catering, 2 Bartenders (Smokestack Catering): $3500
Bar Accessories, Drink Dispensers: $80
Appetizer Platters (Shaw’s): $300
Soda, Water, Mixers: $150
Alcohol: $600
Cake, Cupcakes (Alicia Albernaz): $500
TOTAL: $5130

STATIONERY
Invitation Materials: $100
Save-the-Date Printing: $20
Program Materials: $40
TOTAL: $160

DECOR
Bunting Materials: $200
Vases, Candy Containers: $200
Pinwheels (Paper Polaroid on Etsy): $150
Tablecloths: $120
Miscellaneous: $500
TOTAL: $1170

DETAILS
Bouquet, Boutonnieres: $350
Birdcage Card Holder: $20
Candy: $100
Streamer Poppers: $20
Fans: $150
TOTAL: $640

DIY PHOTO BOOTH
Camera: $350
Printer, Paper: $70
Software: $60
Booth Materials: $35
TOTAL: $515

BRIDE’S ATTIRE
Feathers: $50
Earrings (Classy Lady Jewelry): $25
Dress (Allure Bridals): $1100
Shoes: $150
Hair, Makeup: $320
TOTAL: $1645

GROOM’S ATTIRE
Suit (Hugo Boss): $650
Shirt, Accessories (TJ Maxx): $50
Bow Ties: $50
TOTAL: $750

OTHER VENDORS
Officiant: $500
DJ, Tent Uplighting (B-Sharp): $2300
Day-of-Coordinator: $1200
Photographer (sister of the groom, Jillian Mitchell): $0
TOTAL: $4000

GRAND TOTAL: $20,600

Jessica’s budget tips? “Figure out how much you can realistically spend and always know that number. Your wedding will be wonderful even if you can’t get the farm-to-table plated catering or the hand-beaded couture dress. Don’t compromise your finances or your real life for your fairytale day. Because really, while it’s wonderful and it’s yours, it’s just one day.”
For another real wedding budget breakdown, see Kate and Billy’s wedding feature.
See more photos from Jessica and Jamie’s vintage carousel wedding in the gallery.

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Board #556 | Pretty in Peach (Budget Friendly #28)

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Mood: charming elegance
Palette: seashell pink and white

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Top row from left: Kate Spade “Nico” dress from Nordstrom, foldover clutch by Claire Vivier, save-the-date from Paperless Post, cocktails with drink stirrers from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: tulip-topped square cakes and scallop hors d’oeuvres both from Martha Stewart Weddings, glass candelabra from CB2, tulip bouquet from A Country Farmhouse
Row 3: pocket squares from Martha Stewart Weddings, grosgrain ribbon ring from Doyle & Doyle, art space from Airspace via The City Sage

 

The Idea:  Food is one of the biggest places to save in a wedding budget, which is why these inspiration boards have largely focused on alternatives to traditional sit-down dinners. Today’s board presents the idea of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as an elegant way to make nice with your wallet.

The Paper:  Though I think formal invitations are appropriate and appreciated, digital save-the-dates are perfectly acceptable and a great way to save money. Paperless Post offers a number of charming designs, some of which are even free (their pricing system seems unnecessarily confusing to me, but bottom line is: they have attractive, customizable options at affordable rates).

The Fashion:  “Bridal alternative” is basically a term for a white dress that doesn’t cost as much as most wedding gowns, and lots of department stores carry them. All I know is, it’s a great option if you’re willing to think outside the box when it comes to traditional wedding wear, like with this adorable Kate Spade dress for $468. Bella Bridesmaid is another great place to look for less expensive bridal gowns. This gives you a little wiggle room for fun accessories like a chic foldover clutch from Claire Vivier for $156 (that you can definitely use again!).

The Decor:  Candles are a beautiful way to light a room, and they can be significantly cheaper than flowers. If your venue allows, decorate the room with glass candleholders from CB2 for a modern look – the one pictured here is only $20, and can double as a gift for your bridal party.

The Flowers:  When Ryan and I had our civil ceremony at City Hall the day before our church wedding, my cousin’s partner brought me a beautiful bunch of white tulips to carry that she had picked up at the grocery store that morning. If a professionally designed bouquet isn’t a priority for you, opting for whatever’s in season (and available at your local market) and tying it together yourself is one way to help out your budget (this is especially true if you have lots of bridesmaid who will also be carrying flowers). Let pocket squares take the place of boutonnieres, and double as groomsmen gifts – you can find some for under $20, or if you’re the crafty type, you can make them yourself with a favorite fabric.

The Food:  As with a dessert reception, as long as your guests know what to expect, and the reception is held in between meal times, it’s perfectly okay to serve passed hors d’oeuvres instead of a full meal. Small bites are also a way to include more expensive ingredients that might be cost prohibitive in an entree, such as scallops or truffles. If your caterer and/or venue allows you to BYOB, find out if you’ll be able to return unopened bottles to the store – why pay for what people don’t drink!

Other Details:  As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of easy DIY projects. The drink stirrers in this board are made by simply folding a piece of washi tape over a wooden skewer to create a cute little flag. Easy peasy! Make enough to adorn all drinks, or just a signature cocktail.

 

Today’s the last day of this budget-friendly series. I hope you’ve enjoyed them! I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section – did you enjoy these inspiration boards? Were they helpful to you? Do you have some budget-friendly tips that I missed?

 

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #184: Cocktails & Hors d’Oeuvres
Board #276: Keep It Simple
Board #355: Apricot and Rose Gold

 

Bella Bridesmaid is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

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Board #555 | Diner and Dancing (Budget Friendly #27)

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Mood: jitterbug and soda pop
Palette: cherry red, whipped cream

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Top row from left: retro-inspired invitation by Ello There, cherry cocktail from Tartelette, vintage paper honeycomb bells, soda fountain kiss photo by Megan W
Row 2: cherry cupcakes by La Ciliegina Sulla Torta, simple white bouquet with red striped ribbon photo by Angela and Evan via Delightfully Engaged, lemon meringue pie from Martha Stewart, In-N-Out burger photo by Jonathan Canlas
Row 3: red dahlia centerpieces from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage Coca-Cola bottles photo by 1313 Photography via Southern Weddings, bride and groom at jukebox photo by Megan W

 

The Idea:  With a fifties  theme, it makes sense to wear a short dress, serve burgers, and decorate with paper bells… just so happens those are all budget-friendly ideas!

The Paper:  Etsy is an amazing resource for all kinds of things, including charming and affordable wedding invitations. One of my favorite vendors is Ello There, and their vintage record sleeve invite would be perfect for this wedding theme (at $6.50, it costs a little more than the one pictured in this inspiration board, but for such a custom look I’d say it’s a steal!).

The Fashion:  Go retro and save! Scour vintage shops (Meg found her dress for $250 at the last minute!), sites like Posh Girl Vintage and Mill Crest Vintage, or Etsy shops like The Vintage Studio and Salvage Life. Or you could go vintage-inspired with a new dress from Dolly Couture or, if you’re splurging, Stephanie James Couture. And how about a sassy ponytail that you can DIY?

The Decor:  If you can find a fifties-style diner for your retro reception, then you’re all set! If not, dress up the space with inexpensive honeycomb bells, paper garlands, and tissue fans for a perfectly vintage look.

The Flowers:  Monochromatic arrangements deliver a visual punch, and can be created with any number of less expensive flowers. Find cylinder vases or drinking glasses on the cheap at Jamali Garden Supply or IKEA. For your bouquet, the same trick applies: bunch lots of inexpensive flowers of one color, and tie them when a bold striped ribbon.

The Food:  Burgers and fries are a great way to keep costs down, and they’re a perfect fit for this fifties-themed wedding reception. Find out if local burger joints will cater – they may even have a cute food truck to bring to your venue! Soda in glass bottles adds a touch of nostalgia, and diner-inspired desserts (like lemon meringue pie and chocolate layer cake) will be cheaper than a traditional wedding cake.

Other Details:  Small details like striped paper straws add a fun retro touch, and are only $6 for a box of 144 from Sur La Table. Something to consider is a vintage jukebox rental. In addition to a DJ or band, it’s a fun detail that your guests will love, and in place of other music, it’s a budget-friendly way to play some golden oldies.

It might not be the most formal wedding, but I do love this playful vintage look. What do you think? Want more budget-friendly ideas? Click right here!

 

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #356: Fiesta Means Party
Board #186: Casual Dinner
Board #274: Playful!

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Board #554 | Garden Grow (Budget Friendly #26)

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Mood: laid back garden party
Palette: poppy red, grass green, paper white

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Top row from left: vintage seed packet save-the-dates from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of Saja wedding dress by Jose Villa, potted geranium and butterfly escort cards both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: Post Office with flowers photo by Meg Baisden, cocktail photo by Simply Jessie via Elizabeth Anne Designs, sweet pea bouquet and red poppy dress both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: rubber stamped invitations by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper, geranium boutonniere by Chelsea Fuss for Once Wed, picnic lunch from Martha Stewart Weddings, strawberry buttercream cake via Whisk Kid

 

I’ve said it before, and it’s still true: in an alternate universe, my wedding would have been a picnic wedding. For this inspiration board, I imagined a picnic lunch for garden lovers – perfect for a spring or summer party.

The Idea:  Choose a lovely garden venue during warm-weather months, and invite guests to a relaxed picnic wedding.

The Paper:  Get creative with rubber stamps! There are some great tutorials over on Oh So Beautiful Paper of ways to use custom and pre-made stamps, and if you’re feeling really crafty, you can use them to create butterfly-silhouette place cards or save-the-dates. The other idea here that I love is to incorporate vintage seed packets into your stationery, or maybe as favors? They really set the tone for a retro-inspired garden party. A Google image search will turn up seed packet printables, or you can find the real thing on eBay or Etsy.

The Fashion:  This pretty chiffon dress by Saja is only $810, and would be especially lovely paired with a sun hat. Ruche also has a brand new bridal line full of beautiful budget-friendly dresses, and I think the Tiffany would be perfect for a picnic garden wedding.

The Decor:  Nothing makes an impact quite like a beautiful venue. Choose a local community garden, park, or perhaps the lovely backyard of a friend or family member, and let the surroundings do most of the work – if the venue is lovely on its own, you’ll save on decor. (Something else to keep in mind is that a daytime, outdoor wedding will result in photos with gorgeous natural light…)

The Flowers:  If you’re so inclined, potted flowers are an inexpensive way to decorate picnic tables – red geraniums are bright and cheery, but you can choose whatever is in season at your local nursery. Let them double as gifts and send them home with bridal attendants! You can also snip off a bloom and some leaves to create a simple boutonniere.

The Food:  Dress it up or down, a picnic reception is a unique idea that can save big. Whether you DIY or have it catered, a picnic lunch can be made ahead and doesn’t require an on-site kitchen. Set up a buffet of sandwiches, salads, and sodas, or pack individual lunch boxes or baskets with some of your favorite goodies. Here’s a great article that Jordan created for Project Wedding on how to DIY a picnic lunch. Ask friends and family to bring favorite desserts for an easy sweets buffet (this is also a great way to include people who want to help out).

Other Details:  Even if picnic tables are available, picnic blankets are nice to have around for guests who’d prefer to lounge on the grass. My mother used to paint roses on moving blankets for cheap (but attractive) picnic blankets, and Kathleen has a great tutorial on this exact idea right here, using a drop cloth from Home Depot to create a cute picnic blanket for under $7.

What do you think about a picnic wedding? Would you consider having this type of reception? For all of my previous budget-friendly inspiration boards, click HERE!

 

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Board #279: Picnic in the Park
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Board #433: A Purple Picnic

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Mood: understated sophistication
Palette: muted pink, olive leaf, gray and white marble

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Top row from left: chic fascinator headband from Ruche, gray invitation by Martha Stewart for Crane & Co., feathered Sue Wong dress from Bloomingdale’s, photo of miniature chocolate cake by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: olive leaf bouquet photo by Punam Bean via Style Me Pretty, photo of Lazzaroni amaretti by Katie Quinn Davies, custom chalkboard art by Custom Chalk
Row 3: my wedding photo by Elizabeth Messina, bistro tables via This is Glamorous, grissini breadsticks from Real Simple, olive branch arrangement by Saipua for Sunday Suppers

 

The Idea:  Focus on simple details that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

The Paper:  Depending on how many you order, this beautiful invitation from Crane & Co.’s Martha Stewart Wedding Collection could cost you as little as $2.34 each. There are a number of elegant designs in the collection that I just love, and they’re a great way to have classic Crane stationery without going over budget.

The Fashion:  This sassy feathered dress by Sue Wong is gorgeous, and only $528. Top it off with a fascinator-style headband from Ruche for just $55 – not bad for such a bold accessory!

The Flowers:  Instead of flowers, carry a bouquet of foliage such as olive branches or oak leaves – they’re unexpected, lovely, and less expensive than many floral options. Use them in bulk to decorate the ceremony and reception.

The Food:  Hosting your wedding at a favorite restaurant is a great way to get more bang for your buck. Not only will you possibly avoid a site fee (many restaurants only charge a food and drink minimum), but you can also cross rentals off your list, since tables, chairs, dinnerware and linens are likely included in the cost.

The Decor:  Choose a restaurant that you love the look of, and half of your decorating is done for you! Centerpieces can be understated (line the table with votives) and edible (fill vases or jars with grissini which you can buy for less than $5 a box, and place bowls of olives in between). Add a little something extra to your wedding reception with a small splurge: a custom chalk sign for $120 that you can hang as art in your home after the party.

Other Details:  Even if you can’t afford your dream location, see if you can take your wedding photos there. Ryan and I love Cavallo Point but knew it was way outside our wedding budget – that didn’t stop us from taking our pre-ceremony photos there! Museums, parks, and hotels are all great ideas for wedding portraits, whether you’re renting the venue or not. For favors, choose something yummy that already comes in attractive packaging, like these amaretto cookies from Lazzaroni – you can either place one at each person’s seat, or have them in a bowl by the door.

 

Would you consider a restaurant wedding reception? This is what Ryan and I did, and in a city like San Francisco, it was by far the best way to stretch our budget. We got the space, rentals, and food and drink, all for the same amount many venues charge just to open the doors! Needless to say, I’m a fan.

 

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #358: Playful Minimalism
Board #282: Intimate Dinner
Board #275: Champagne Friday

 

Elizabeth Messina is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

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