What was your total budget? Please provide a budget breakdown.
Our total budget was $7,000.
- Photography: Gift! We paid a videographer $200.
- Dress: $350
- Cake: Gift!
- Venue: $25
- Flowers: $80
- Decor: $50
- Groom’s attire: $300
- Music: $300
- We had our reception at a restaurant, our bill was $3000.
- We also were gifted limo transportation, which I’m estimating to be roughly $1500.
How many guests did you have?
We had 17 guests.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
Everything felt deeply personal because of how intimate the wedding was. My favorite creative aspect is that we asked my youngest sister to write and share an original poem. It was breathtaking and I cried while she read it aloud!
Did you do any DIY projects?
My sister arranged all of the flowers!
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
Cut the guest list. We definitely wanted to invite everyone but with two large families and a lot of friends, the guest list we wanted was too big to afford! Our families ended up throwing receptions for us after the fact so eventually, we were able to celebrate with everyone.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
If you don’t have the money, don’t spend it. We did not want to borrow a lot of money or go into debt just to have a big party. It just wasn’t important for us to have a big wedding.
What was your biggest splurge?
Our attire! It was super important for us to look and feel our best.
What was your favorite detail?
The venue location. Getting married in Central Park is truly an experience. With the gorgeous backdrop of the city, yet still somewhat secluded in nature, it was spectacular.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
Walking up the hill to the gazebo. The weather was absolutely perfect and I could hear our violinist playing our favorite song, as I made eye contact with Taylor. It was magical.
Vendors
Photography: Elaine Cromie | Ceremony Venue: Central Park Cop Cot| Reception Venue: Freemans Restaurant | Stationery: Vistaprint.com | Videographer: Tiny Rainbows Photography | Wedding Gown Designer: bhldn | Bridal Salon or Shop: bhldn | Groom’s attire: Macys
