DF and I made the choice as soon as we decided on Disney to pay for everything ourselves. I'm sure there will be things that my parents, grandparents, and his mom might help with, but for the most part it will be just us 'footing the bill.'
We made this choice for a few mains reasons: 1) everyone has to travel, 2) we want to be responsible adults, and 3) we didn't want to have to fight with a parent/grandparent because we want something they don't like/want/think is necessary.
Obviously, because we're not even penciled in yet, I haven't gotten a BEO from Disney yet. But, being the uber planner that I am (and thanks to Carrie's book), I have done a current estimated budget for all our wedding events. Some prices are exact because I have already made some purchases, some are estimates from current Disney pricing/fees/taxes, and others are just plain guesses. It's good for me to see the numbers all laid out, and it just might have the remote chance to help another bride out there.
Planning Session (my parents are coming with)
APs for mom and dad....$1,062.88
Car rental...................$210.00
Flights........................$1,400.00
Food..........................$240.00
Hotel.........................$270.00
Cost: $3,182.88
Disney Fairy Tale Wedding (approx. 28 ppl. including us)
Bar Tender.....................$106.50
BOC Bar.........................$1,206.18
Cake.............................$773.19
Chair Covers/Sashes........$226.31
Characters Appearance.....$1,739.68
iPod Set-up....................$322.16
MK Photo Shoot..............$1,100.00
Pavilion Site Rental..........$3,195.00
Photography Package.......$3,650.00
Reception Meal...............$2,255.14 (guessing $70 pp.)
Table Covers..................$159.75
Vendor Meals..................$77.32 (two photographers)
Cost: $14,811.23
Attire, Accessories, and Extras
Bridal Lingerie..........$29.06
Bridal Slip...............$75.00
Wedding Dress.........$1,230.00 (includes alterations and fitting fees)
Shoes.....................$110.00
Cake Topper............$69.96 (bought on eBay)
Car Rental...............$375.00
Flights....................$700.00
Fl Marriage License....$93.50
Flowers...................$500.00 (making with mom and grandma)
Food.......................$250.00
Hotel......................$1,440.00 (GF for two nights, off-property the rest)
Jewelry...................$15.00
Makeup and Hair........$150.00 (possibly Beauty Speciale)
Officient Fees...........$300.00 (possibly Rev. Jack Day)
Photo Albums............$20.64 (bought at Gordman's)
Rings.......................$550.00
Sand Ceremony.........$15.00 (bought in an antique shop)
Stationary................$75.00 (printing ourselves)
Toasting Flutes.........$4.50 (bought in an antique shop)
Toss Petals..............$45.00 (possibly FlyBoyNaturals.com)
Tux Rental...............$150.00 (Carolyn Allen or Men's Warehouse)
Veil.........................$18.00 (bought in an antique shop)
Cost: $6,215.66
At-Home Reception (approx. 150 ppl.)
Cake....................$350.00 (being made by a friend)
Candy Bar/Favors....$250.00
Centerpieces..........$23.21 (making our own)
DJ........................$737.23
Food.....................$4,440.46 (for food only, cash bar)
Invitations.............$250.00 (printing our own)
Cost: $6,050.90
Total Wedding Budget: $30,260.67
We've already made a list of things that can go (i.e. chair covers) or be lowered (i.e. at-home guest list). Not much else is likely to go because this is already bare-bones for me, and Mickey and Minnie are an absolute must. I cut things out of the original estimated DFTW budget when it was over $30k alone (Cindy's coach, lots of floral and decor, and a string trio will do that).
I've toyed with the idea of hiring outside photographers (the Arndt's, m&d were sold after randomly meeting them), but I'm afraid I'll cut enough that I'll need the extra cost to cover the minimums. And, I'd like the MK shoot to still count under the minimum expenditure. My MOHs DH will most likely be filming for us and shadowing the photographers as much as possible along with my mom.
I knew the over-all number would be big, and this is just an estimate so changes will be made, but it's still a big number for a wedding. All things considered, and some cuts made, I honestly expected it to still be bigger!
Snow days make me productive!