FRUSTRATED! Please help :'( Custom or Intimate Lots of ???

[mermaidbride1108]

Ok, so I don't even have a date yet and I'm already frustrated - we can't set a date until 1) I start a new job, hate my one now and hopefully will be making more money when getting new job(I'm in Marketing) I got some possibilities right now... 2) I have two bridesmaid in school, college and highschool, and am having a hard time trying to figure out when to have a wedding thats is not Disney's premium time so that my guests don't have to spend so much and is not the month they graduate. I know its my wedding, but I want to make this as easy on them as possible

Ok so here's my problem - my DF (I think that's what I call him) thought we would have an intimate with the 'package' and all would be taken care of. Of course, he didn't think about attire, more photos (big deal to him), travel expenses or how much an reception in Philly seriously costs. So He realized an intimate would still costs more than 3,000 alone

So we have been back and forth with just about ever possible scenerio changed our date about 4 times and still haven't booked anything or set a date yet .

Well, today one of my bridesmaids slept over last night, she's my little sister, and watched all of the wedding DVD (Disney and the STVS demo) and she got really excited. She suggested we have everything at Disney - Instead of having a very cheap reception at home, DF said That's a good idea! So most of my day today has been flipping through the custom wishbook and making a custom budget. He's thinking why not have our guests travel and those who don't want to, well that's ok then, it must be cheaper than having a Philly recepton.

Here's my concerns - what was your RSVP ratio? For all you creative brides, were you able to create your own center pieces using stuff at home?

I'm really thinking about doing all silk floral just to save a few $. I'm not really big into flowers anyway. I really Love the Germany location for Ceremony and Living Seas for a reception.

So we are inviting about 80 - I'm budgeting for 50. Was any custom brides able to keep their food and beverage down to the minimums of $75 or $100?

My DF is being a pain in the butt, because when I budgeted, I was talking some high numbers and he freaks, but then we'll be watching the DVD and says "you just have to have Cinderella's Coach" OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! Well it costs big $$$ to have a glass coach! And please my mom is like I'll pay for the Coach if you let me ride in it with you, but then when I tried to have a serious convo and financing the wedding, she says oh I don't know how much I can help. I feel like throwing my arms up and screaming whenever someone does this. My little sis bridesmaid does this too on so many things - She of course wants me to have a MK wedding - I told her to start savng for now so she has enough when she is engaged.

Does anyone else have these problems? Everyone wants to do the fancy things, but has no idea how much things costs? Isn't the bride the one who gets to just pick out things without looking at one price tag and everyone else has to talk serious?

Has anyone heard of receptions at Epcot Germany at night? Is this location nice? I really like SPB too, but if I was going with a custom, I'm going for something in a park.


So here was what I budgeted for

Ceremony
Musician for Ceremony
Officiant

Cinderella's Coach
Motor Coach for Guests
Limo for Bridal Party

Attire for Bride & Groom with Hair and Makeup and Dress pressing

Videography(outside)
Photography(outside)
MK Photo Shoot

Silk Flowers
Some kind of Decor for Ceremony & Reception

Reception Site
Food & Drink
Cake
DJ

Hotel & Airfare
Honeymoon

Misc - Invites, Toasting Glasses, Guest Book, Etc.

And a pretty nice sum for tax & Tips

Ok so It came out to 25,000

I totally inflated those prices too. I'm pretty crafty and would actually really like to make alot myself and I'm a ebayer AND I'm doing donations to the Variety Club and Cure Austism now as my favors Also, I Don't have to have this designer dress, the dress I'm in love with at the moment is at houseofbridal.com for $415.

So I'm done my completely long rant and here's my questions for all you brides out there

1. What was your RSVP ratio? Did alot of non-disney goers really show up?

2. Can you still buy centerpieces, and small decorations and send them to Disney for them to set up?

3. Is it realistic to think you can just spend the $75 or $100 on each guest for food & drink?

4. IS it possible to think I could do this wedding for much less than $25000?

5. I know this might sound shallow but, did you feel that you didnt get very nice gifts because you made your guests travel? I'm just thinking because when else are you ever going to be able to get everything you need for a new home? That's usually when people get all of there first 'nice' kitchen and bedding for the home. I'm guilty of being Shallow I know... but hey i'm paying for a very nice event for them too right?


I know I can definitely be a thrifty girl and I'll only be asking guests to stay maybe 2-3 nights to keep costs down.

Ok I think I'm done now- any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[TheSawas]

Congratulations on your engagement!

You are in the right place if you are looking for people just like you with similar problems.

First of all, enjoy your engagement and look forward to spending your life together with your DF.

I haven't sent out invitations yet (I'm at the 9 month mark) but I have verbally been giving guests details and keeping a very rough count in my head. I am planning on 50 but wouldn't mind if fewer guests attended (it would give me more budget to work with paying for other wedding expenses instead of lots and lots of $100 a plate meals). The most important people in my life will be there and I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate my marriage then Disney with them.

Our wedding date is January 5, 2008 . . . just before the winter vacations end! It is very close to Christmas but Disney is in its low season which means everything is much cheaper. I was originally going to have a Friday wedding that would cost a $20,000 minimum . . . when the date was moved to January I can now have a Saturday wedding for only a $15,000 minimum.

I am currently planning on making my own centerpieces and other floral arrangements as I just don't like flowers to begin with and I would be bitter if they took a lot of my budget away. I need to have my flowers 2 days after the wedding for a MK photo shoot and an at home reception weeks later. It helps me save. I am also making my own invitations, guestbook, save the dates, and favors. I'm not crafty but the projects aren't difficult at all.

I hope this helps! Just know we are here for you and going through the same things.

Jenny