Getting realistic about your budget is often a tough pill to swallow. But we’re here to keep it real and help!
On average, most weddings in South Florida with great food, service, venue, decor, photo/video, lighting and all the necessary details couples unknowingly don’t factor into their budget are starting at $400-$500pp.
That all can vary tremendously based on the cost of your venue and many other variables. Decisions like, the day of the week, high vs. low season, a banquet hall like with food included or a more unique or exclusive venue with outside catering, the quality of professionals you’re hiring, all need to be considered. Overall, your taste-level will be the determining factor on how high your budget needs to go for your expectations to be met or exceeded. The more discerning your taste, the more you can expect to spend.
When couples start to sound frustrated about wedding planning the shocking discovery of how much each service or product actually costs usually the culprit. Depending on the region you’re choosing to tie the knot, $100/plate with white polyester linen, standard white table settings, are just the beginning. All the pretty tableware, linens, and furniture are upgrades and that table still needs a gorgeous centerpiece. We haven’t even talked ceremony decor and your bouquets, boutonnières, stationery and signage. Do you want a little decor and a linen on the tables for cocktail hour? You probably do, so it’s best to factor all of those possibilities in rather than being surprised and overwhelmed towards the end.
Side Note:
Something to note that many couples overlook is how important the food & beverage and DJ/MC really are. I think most wedding guests would agree, they would rather have delicious BBQ, or food stations that represent their culture(s) for their meal than luke warm, overdone, plated faux-fancy banquet hall food. Don’t waste money trying to make things look fancy when they aren’t.
The DJ/MC are responsible for managing the flow of your wedding day and keeping your guests entertained, if you want to have a friend DJ, please hire an MC and make sure the proper equipment is rented. Trust me on this, if you spurge on anything let it be delicious food, drinks and a talented professional DJ with the ability to MC. It’s totally okay to hire an MC that works independently with the entertainers of your choice.
Also, expect a higher price tag for cities like LA and NYC and lower for metro areas like Dallas or Milwaukee with a lower cost of living.
If you’re with the person you plan on marrying, start saving before the proposal. Commit to a realistic number that allows you and your guests to have a memorable experience. There’s no point in setting a hardline budget that is unrealistic to the region your marrying in and the type of wedding you want to have. And don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Budget Rule of Thumb: In general the overall cost for the weddings we plan and style is approximately $500pp – All in.
| Approximate Guest Count: | Approximate Budget: |
| 50 | $20k – $30k |
| 100 | $50k |
| 200 | $100k |
If those numbers scare you, the best advice we can give is to reevaluate your guest list and make sure the people that make the cut are the ones that mean the most to you as a couple. Remember, everyone doesn’t have to be invited to every party. We understand when some couples feel like the guest list is non-negotiable. In those instances, we can figure out how to simplify the overall look to match your budget. Minimalist Chic is a whole vibe that we can explore for your design.
