The Wedding Diaries
Part 10
Dear Wedding Diary,
The final numbers are in, and we’re now able to see exactly how much $ was spent and in which categories. I’ll list them out by category, and add up a total for each section.
One thing that I like to note (if only to myself) is that some categories listed here aren’t included in a common wedding budget (e.g. engagement ring, prenup). But, my grand total will include them anyway for completion’s sake.
In addition, it’s valuable to note that this was a local wedding (not destination), and was located in the Twin Cities, Minnesota (since all of that affects costs).
| Category | Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement | Photos | $450.00 | |
| Ring | $2,506.50 | ||
| TOTAL | $2,956.50 | ||
| Marriage | Prenuptial agreement | $2,750.00 | |
| Marriage license fees | $50.00 | Includes $40 to the state of MN and $10 for premarital education statement | |
| Officiant | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package” | |
| Wedding rings | $1,600.61 | ||
| TOTAL | $4,400.61 | ||
| Wedding Day | Wedding package | $6,762.50 | This package includes everything as indicated in this table, plus the venue for the ceremony and venue coordinators who assisted with planning and execution of the whole day |
| Food and beverages | $1,721.93 | Includes the catered food from Buca di Beppo | |
| Cake and dessert | $79.18 | Includes an ice cream cake and gluten-free/vegan cookies for the reception; the cake for the formal wedding ceremony was included as part of the “wedding package” | |
| Photographer | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package” | |
| Videographer | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package” | |
| Music & DJ | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package” | |
| Florist | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package”, and included just a bouquet and boutonniere | |
| Transportation | $0.00 | We used our own cars and bridal party’s rental cars | |
| Equipment | $102.92 | Chafing dishes, sternos, and dishware for catering | |
| Venue | $300.00 | Reception venue space | |
| Decor | $87.06 | Posters for wedding and the piñatas for the reception | |
| Guestbook | $75.93 | Puzzle piece guestbook, pens, and frame | |
| Gifts & Favors | $206.03 | Custom M&Ms for guest favors, gifts for bridal party | |
| Photo Booth | $0.00 | Skipped | |
| Vendor tip money | $0.00 | Included in part of “wedding package” | |
| TOTAL | $9,335.55 | ||
| Invites & Paper | Save the dates | $0.00 | Digital only |
| Invitations | $69.64 | Printed invites, pre-addressed envelopes, and postage | |
| Programs | $0.00 | Skipped | |
| Place cards | $0.00 | Skipped | |
| Thank you cards | $40.56 | Basic thank yous from Target and postage | |
| TOTAL | $110.20 | ||
| Attire & Beauty | Bride’s attire | $583.99 | |
| Groom’s attire | $0.00 | Husband wore suit he already owned, and borrowed a new necktie and pocket hankie from a friend | |
| Alterations | $488.04 | ||
| Shoes | $110.22 | ||
| Accessories | $255.06 | Includes belt, earrings, necklace, hairpiece, and veil | |
| Hair & Makeup | $552.50 | Includes professional hair and makeup for the event and trial runs | |
| Mani & Pedi | $123.00 | Includes gel manicure/pedicure for the big day | |
| Couple’s Massage | $180.00 | Massage for husband and myself after the wedding | |
| TOTAL | $2,292.81 | ||
| Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties | Food and beverages | $509.69 | Served six meals to parties ranging between 3-7 people from a mixture of restaurants and grocery store DIY meals |
| Activities | $2,159.27 | Theater show, magician, glitter tattoo party, escape room, go karting, shooting range, VR | |
| TOTAL | $2,668.96 | ||
| Miscellaneous | Accommodations | $0.00 | Skipped |
| Wedding planner | $0.00 | Skipped | |
| Website domain | $20.92 | ||
| Wife/Husband buttons | $13.57 | Purchased from Etsy for reception and honeymoon | |
| Bridal emergency kit | $20.14 | I already had a lot of what was on my emergency kit list (full list below), but I had to get some last minute things from Target | |
| Bridal celebration kit | $34.78 | Included a fanny pack, crown, veil, sash, and sunglasses that all said some form of “Bride” | |
| TOTAL | $89.41 | ||
| “WEDDING” TOTAL (marriage license fees, wedding rings, Wedding Day, Invites & Paper, Attire & Beauty, Miscellaneous) | $13,478.58 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | $21,854.04 | ||
What was in the bridal emergency kit and checklists I used? Honestly… a lot:
- Emergency Kit
- Safety pins
- Fabric tape
- Bobby pins
- Nail file
- Nail clippers
- Clear nail polish
- Bride’s nail polish
- Earring backs
- Face powder
- Eye drops
- Tylenol/ibuprofen
- Antacid (pepto-bismol/omeprazole)
- Bandages
- Tampons
- Breath mints
- Hand lotion
- Crazy Glue
- Sewing kit
- Tissues
- Phone charger
- Lint brush
- Hand steamer
- Bride’s Checklist
- Button-down shirt
- Dress
- Veil
- Shape wear
- Shoes (heels)
- Shoes (back-up shoes)
- Hair accessories
- Hairspray
- Mirror
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Floss
- Straws
- Extra lipstick
- Chafing relief cream
- Gift for husband
- Groom’s Checklist
- Gift for wife
- Full suit/tux
- Shoes
- Shoe polish kit
- Shaving tools
- Hair styling products and tools
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Cash for tips in envelopes
- ID
- Wedding Checklist
- Wedding rings
- Marriage license
- Copies of vows
- Posters
- Printouts and signage
- Guest book + pens
- Favors
- Umbrellas
Well, I suppose that’s all! Thank you for joining me on this adventure as I planned my wedding and got married.
When they’re available, we’ll update our wedding website with more photos from the big day: https://emmasax.com/sc/saxwoodardwedding.
