Custom Wedding Budget

[mindystar]

My sister is planning on getting married next May/June of 2006. Since she is busy with finishing school, working, and planning a wedding (like most of you) I am trying to help her as much as possible. I have already found so much invaluable information on this board, and enjoy sharing what I learn with my sister!
Right now she and her boyfriend are trying to figure out how much a Custom Wedding may cost them. So I was wondering:
Would anyone mind sharing their recent actual budget, like the one Disney has provided you? Either planning or final budget spreadsheets would be so helpful!

Please send me a PM.
TIA

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Hi Mindystar and welcome to the DIS and the Weddings and Honeymoons forum - if you use our search facility on here you should be able to search for budgets in this board where people have felt comfortable enough to share that information.

Please don't get me wrong it's not that some of us don't want to share it's just I see that you're new here and well some people may be a bit shy in just coming out with what their actual budget to a newbie

You can find out a lot about actual minimum's for Custom Weddings at the Official Disney Wedding website:

Offcial Disney Wedding Website

Hope that helps you in the first instance anyways

 

[mindystar]

Thank you so much for the advice and the welcome!!!

 

[JonetteA]

For a custom it really depends in my mind on 2 key factors, what day during the week you want to have it, and how many people are coming. Just to give you an idea. The mins for M-TH are 10k, F and Sun are 15k and Sat is 20k. We are going the Thursday route, and I think right now if everyone excepts, we are going to have around 70 ppl, which doubled my original estimate. Keep in mind Disney has an 80% acceptance rate for guests. Of the 10, 15 and 20k, activities that happen on your wedding day count toward these totals. Anything outside of this day does not count. I hope that this give you an understanding of what is involved.

 

[mindystar]

Thank you!
They are planning to have it on a Tuesday in the morning, with the reception in the early afternoon. We are going to take a poll on Labor Day to see how many families would consider/plan on coming to their wedding. Right now they are thinking of the Wedding Pavilion and maybe the reception at Boardwalk, and an Illumination Dessert party. So now they are trying to see how close they can stick to the 10,000 dollars, while still having an elegant and fun wedding. So I'm just trying to see how I can help them to stick to that amount Trying to figure out what costs go into the wedding.
Thanks again, it does help!

 

[JonetteA]

Mindy, I will be getting my contract estimate soon. I am doing the same thing that they are doing. Trying to keep to the 10k as close as possible. I would say to remember taxes and gratuities, the dress, invitations, etc All add to the bottom line. I am going to do outside photography and videography which is additional, but I wanted to have my vendors do it rather than Disney. The best thing I can suggest is to get in touch with Disney after you have a semi-idea of who will come, and work it that way. Disney can give you a specific proposal and you can tweak from there. You will change this estimate after you finish your planning session. I can tell you that you can hit the 10k really really easy. Let me know if there is something that I can do.

 

[mindystar]

Thank you so much again JonetteA. My mom and sister are supposed to call DTFW today. We may, ha-will , have more questions the more she gets into the planning! Will ask you if we have questions!

 

[sbggirl]

We have spent alot of time trying to keep our budget down and everyone is right...day and time of day have lots to do with what you have to spend. I am doing a brunch reception in effort to keep cost down. Plus, it is in January which is an off-time of the year so hotel costs are a bit lower. Everyone has different areas of the budget that are more important then others. I would be very bold and honest when you talk to people at Disney and tell them what you are thinking about for a budget. I will tell you that tax and tip freaked me out because I believe Florida tax is 12% so that added to a 20% gratuity on food and beverage adds up!

I am having about 80 people and am trying to stay around $15-20K, which is not the easiest. I don't have alot of frills--almost no flowers for example, except bouquets. You just have to get a very good idea of what will be important to you in the budget.

 

[mindystar]

She is going to have the wedding Mon-Thur and in the morning. The reception they plan to have before 2 p.m. But I'm curious what is a brunch reception? Then I'm going to attempt to make the bridesmaids bouquets so hopefully that cuts down on costs. She does want the cinderella coach centerpiece, but just for the head table. We'll probably do DIY centerpieces for the other tables though.
Thanks for your info1!

 

[JonetteA]

The brunch reception is like eggs, french toast, salmon with maple something or other, etc. You can have basically anything you want, but that all adds into the cost.

 

[mindystar]

Thanks again JonetteA. Yet another question--about the brunch, is it served at all receptions? Is it only at certain times?
A lot of questions I know, but you all are so good at answering them! I really appreciate this!

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I'm so mad... It would have actually turned out CHEAPER to have our wedding in DW. So far for a NJ wedding it's costs over $25,000!!! The only thing that would have been different is probably more than 1/2 the people wouldn't have been able to attend in FL. Maybe I'll do a renewal there in the future. (After I get married!)

 

[JonetteA]

I am not sure about the brunch menu (when it is served) but I am thinking it is probably only offered for morning weddings. Since I am going to be doing mine at 9am, it is perfect for a brunch reception. Mindy, we are getting married May 18th.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Jonette, where is your wedding site? Oh, and congrats on your official proposal from Leif

 

[mindystar]

I am not sure about the brunch menu (when it is served) but I am thinking it is probably only offered for morning weddings. Since I am going to be doing mine at 9am, it is perfect for a brunch reception. Mindy, we are getting married May 18th.

Thanks again Jonette, You're Awesome!

 

[JonetteA]

We are getting married at the UK rose garden during the flower and garden festival. That way I don't have to pay for any type of decorations...well minimal anyways....just a way to cut the budget.

 

[mindystar]

I love the way Epcot looks during the Flower and Garden Festival, it is so beautiful. It will be the perfect back drop for your wedding