Budget Thoughts and updates!!

Let me know what you think! Can always use the help!!!


Here is my DRAFT of what it will cost at the Marriott:

Aruba Marriott Expenses (A la Carte, no Negotiations yet or package deals) 

***Plus trying to figure out how much of this I can do myself or have others do so we can SAVE!! 

Based on 30 Guests

Ceremony-

• Officiant: $350 (Could always have a really good friend do this, is that totally tacky???)
• Bamboo Arch with Fresh Flowers: $450 (I don't think I can part with this, it is beautiful pictures)
• Palm fringed aisle decorations, leading to alter, with Flowers, Coconuts, and Tiki Torches: $200 (I could make my own decorations for the aisles and have flowers added in to cut down the cost, might not be worth it thought)
• Sand Ceremony (Personalized Vases, Navy Sand, and Pink Sand) $ 50 (Looking online to find this at the best price, personalization is more expensive than I thought, I could vinyl my own glass pieces that I like with our personalizations on it)
• TOTAL: $1050 (New total would be $725 - I left $50 in for a gift for the person who did the officiant)

Flowers- (it is Aruba can you part with flowers at all???)

• Bride: $125
• Maid of Honor: $75
• Bridesmaids (3): $165
• Groom: $13
• Best Man: $75
• Groomsmen (3): $33
• Mothers (2): $50
• Fathers (2): $22
• TOTAL: $558

Cake-

• 2 Tier with fresh flowers (serves up to 40 people): $380

Photography & Videography

• Photographer: 3 hours, 108 pictures, CD to go with, Album $1250
• Videography: 2 hours $950 (Have a family friend who does this for a living and offered to do this)
• TOTAL: $2,200 ($1300, left 50 in the budget for gift for Videographer)

Entertainment

• DJ (3 Hours): $750 /$175 each additional hour (Only need a three hour party, lots of hotels to go to afterwards, so won't need additional hours)
• TOTAL: $750

Welcome Drinks (We don't have to do this but think it is a wonderful touch for the Aruba festivities)

• Coconut Drinks $4.50 per person
• TOTAL: $135

Getting Ready

• Bride Hair & Make-up: $235
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Hair: $425 (Offered to pay for their own, should I allow this since they are coming all the way to Aruba, I feel this is something I can do for them.)
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Make-up: $250 (Offered to pay for their own, should I allow this since they are coming all the way to Aruba, I feel this is something I can do for them.)
• TOTAL: $910

Additional Fee for Weekend

• $500 (Negotiated this to $250)

Buffet - Taste of Tuscany 

• $64 per guest includes dessert, coffee, water, soda. (Negotiated this to $58 per person, no desserts, just wedding cake - is this a good move????)
• TOTAL: $1,920 ($1740)

Drinks

• Set Up and Bartender Fee: $115
• Premium Bar Service for 3 hours: $50 per person. $1,500
• TOTAL: $1615

TOTAL: $10,018           NEW TOTAL: $8363 This is looking a bit better!

Other Expenses:

Wedding Band for Her:

Wedding Band for Him:

Dress:

Save the Dates:

Invitations:

Thank Yous:

Favors:

Programs:

Welcome Bags:

Bridal Party Gifts:

Parents Gifts:

Rehearsal Dinner:

Until next time...