Amy + Gabriel's Low Wedding Budget

Amy and Gabe used alot of common tricks to keep a low wedding budget: they kept the guest list intimate, didn’t have a bridal party, chose to have a daytime wedding, and employed the help of friends to pull together their big day. Thanks Amy & Gabe for sharing your day with us!

Amy & Gabriel

August 21

Chapel Hill, NC, The Carolina Inn

What was your budget? If you are able, give us a rough breakdown of how you spent your budget.

We didn’t have a budget to begin with but our expenses ended up being approximately $10,000 for the wedding and reception.

Venue/Catering: $4720

Minister: $350

Cake: $427

Flowers: $997

Music: $515

Invitations: $45

Photographer: $673

Bride Attire & Accessories, Gown by Nicole Miller: $831

Groom Attire: $250

Hair/Makeup for Bride and Mother of the Bride: $339

Wedding Coordinator: $400

Wedding Favors: $175

How many guests did you have?

70 guests

What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?

Gabe and I got engaged on Memorial Day 2010 and wanted to get married in the summer. We had about 3 months to pull together a wedding for us and our large families. My sister and I made all the of the escort cards, the menus and wrapped the party favors in handmade paper from Nepal.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Overall, we wanted to keep things very simple. A big money saver was to host a daytime wedding. We found other ways to save money as well: we did not have wedding party, my brother (an amateur photographer) took photos, we used a “day of” wedding coordinator, and my cousin dee-jayed the wedding for us for free!

What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?

Find a great venue with style and character. Our reception was in the original ballroom at a historic inn and the space was incredibly beautiful and elegant. We just had centerpieces of roses and hydrangeas. Keep things simple and remember that it is your wedding!

What was your biggest splurge?

My $335 Stuart Weiztman shoes for the rehearsal dinner!

What was your favorite detail?

The black and white tiled floor and the chandeliers in the ballroom at the Inn.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

When my two nephews (ages 5 and 8) got up to make speeches.

VENDORS:

• Wedding Consultant: Bliss By Sam Weddings

• Rehearsal Dinner: Spanky’s Restaurant and Bar

• Minister: Robin Renteria

• Cake: Swank Cake Design

• Flowers: University Florist

• Music: Arioso Strings

• Photographer: Keepsake Photography and Graphic Design

• Hair/Makeup: Mina’s Studio