What was your budget?
In total, we came in a little over $20,000. We carefully accounted for every expense, and about half of the total cost was due to our catering selection.
- Invites w/ Save the Dates, RSVPs, postage: $635
- Wedding Rings: $1267
- Grooms Suit & Tailoring: $413
- Brides Dress & Tailoring: $540
- Grooms shoes: $108
- Brides shoes: $69
- Marriage License: $28
- Brownstone Catering: $11,174
- Taylor Rentals: $2,223
- Photographer: $2,800
- Alcohol: $1,899
- Misc (wedding party gifts, lighting, bouquets/bout/rose petals, votive candles, favors, guestbook, bathroom supplies, ring box, welcome bags. Music, mirror, envelope box, paint. Frames, Cocktail pitchers, limo): $3,877
How many guests did you have?
We had 110 guests.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
I had my mom and my sister walk me down the aisle. We had silk scarves shipped from Cambodia. I wanted to include my culture, somehow. The groom had a flower boutonniere made from my dress. We had our names and wedding date engraved in the outside of our wedding band.
For our first dance, we had the groom’s sister sing our first song and friend of the family play the guitar.
Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?
We did! We made the box that our petal cones went in. And we did all of the decorating for the ceremony and reception.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
The biggest was saving money on a venue by having the wedding in my in-laws backyard. We also saved money on a DJ and simply made a playlist.
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What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
Take your time and make sure that you both get what you want, or at least compromise. It will get stressful at times but enjoy every single moment of planning because it will be over in the blink of an eye. Splurge on whatever is important to you and make sure you capture every single moment.
What was your biggest splurge?
Originally we weren’t going to go with a photographer but we’re glad that we did.
What was your favorite detail?
It was wonderful having our wedding in the family backyard.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
Aside from marrying the best man ever! I loved that we got to spend the most amazing moment in our lives with family and friends we love the most, sharing laughter and tears of joy. It was also memorable to have Amy singing our first dance.
VENDORS
Photography & Videography: Lin Pernille Photography • Venue: Private residence • Flowers: Brennan’s Florist • Catering: The Brownstone • Rentals: Taylor Rentals • Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist: Neat Sothy Sullivan from PR at Partners • Rose petals and flower cones, flowers in pool: Flyboy Naturals • Wedding band box: Gregolino Wedding • Wedding program display: PaperRamma • Navy and citronella votive candles and hurricane holders on tables: Quick Candles • Engagement and wedding bands: Wesley Jewelers • Bridesmaids Dresses: The Peppy Studio – Convertible Dress • Wedding Gown Designer: Annabelle Dress by Jenny Yoo for BHLDN • Shoes: Betsey Johnson • Groom’s Suit/Tux: J. Crew Suit • Men’s Shoes: Sperry • Flower girl dress: Annie dress from BHLDN
Get Inspired: See more Backyard Weddings on a Budget