Oh my goodness! Do you remember this darling Monday morning wedding we featured in May? Well, today we have another beautiful Monday morning wedding with a gorgeous brunch reception. When Hyme and Jong received initial quotes for their wedding in New York City, the estimated budget was $55,000. However, because of their choice to wed on a weekday and do some DIY, they ended up spending just under $10,000!!! Enjoy the stunning NYC wedding. xoxo, Jessica

Hyme + Jong

June 30, 2014

New York City, NY | One if By Land

What was your budget?

I think in the beginning we were shooting for $8000. We did not have a concrete budget, but knew it would be hard to find a place in the city. One venue quoted me $55,000 for the day! In the end, we were just under 10k.
Venue: $4000 (Monday brunch)
Photographer: $3000 (Monday wedding)
Gown: $1000
Veil: $30
Suit: $444
Bridesmaids dresses: $50 (Most bridesmaids wore dresses they owned.)
Flower girl dress: $11
Invitations: $230
Wedding Rings: $560
Cake: $120 (My flowers that didn’t make the bouquet placed thrown on top)
Flowers: $240 (Wasted quite a bit! I could have spent less.)
Favors: $164

How many guests did you have?

Our final count was 58 people.

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

There were some DIY projects that were meaningful to me. I handmade letterpress invitations for the wedding. A friend came over one day, and we spent the day shopping and created my veil and my seating board that day. The bouquets and boutonnieres that we used for the wedding were made the night before with my bridesmaids. It was not at all a stressful activity. Each girl made her bouquet and were exclaiming, “My bouquet is awesome!” It definitely made them more than just beautiful decorations the following day. The cake that was ordered with the cupcakes was only $20. I placed the flowers that fell off the bouquets on top! Many of the accessories we wore were some of our favorite things we already owned.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Finding a venue that can work on our budget is definitely the biggest money saver. The manager that I worked with was a God-send! She is the reason that I was so stress-free, and the wedding was nothing but a joy. Our wedding was on a Monday, so that we were able to have the whole restaurant to ourselves. Everyone who attended the wedding was very excited for us and did not mind the date at all.

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

Try to be as stress-free as possible (which also includes not blowing your entire savings account). It was nice to be able to show the city to those visiting from afar and to spend time with loved ones I don’t often see. Even until the day before, I was enjoying the city with friends. If I put too much on myself, I don’t think I would have been able to do that with them.

What was your biggest splurge?

My dress! Now that I see what my final budget turned out to be, I think that I spent too much on it. But it was really so lovely!

What was your favorite detail?

I have a hard time answering this question- there were so many details that I love! Perhaps my favorite is the venue itself: the brick walls, the chandeliers, the history, the garden outside.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

My brother and a friend had prepared a song for us. He had taken the lyrics to “Moon River” and added a personalized verse. When they sang it, my brother choked up- which made me cry, which got all my bridesmaids crying, and the guests too!

VENDORS

Ceremony and Reception Venue: One if By Land Two if By Sea • Photographer: Weddings by Hanel • Bouquets: DIY • Engagement Ring: Anna Sheffield • Wedding Ring (Bride): Prunier Vecchio Creations • Wedding Ring (Groom): James Allen • Dress: Marisa Bridals • Veil: DIY • Suit: Theory • Tie: J. Crew • Shoes: ASH Italia • Program: DIY through Zazzle.com • Logo: Deborah Leigh • Favors: Beth of all Trades on Etsy