Share your budget?

According to our Wedding Planner, our event came in just $69 over Disney’s $10,000 minimum expenditure requirement for our date in 2008. We had 34 guests.

Here’s the breakdown, including tax and service charge which, unfortunately, don’t count toward the minimum...

Ceremony
Event Guide for rehearsal in Epcot:..............................$90.00
Friendship Boat one way:...........................................$250.00
Ceremony Audio Package:..........................................$993.03
Morocco Site Fee:....................................................$1,597.50
Limo one way:.........................................................$144.45
Motorcoach charter (8 hours):....................................$714.00

Floral
Bridal Bouquet (dahlias).............................................$260.00
Groom’s Boutonniere..................................................$12.50
Hidden Mickey for groom............................................$3.00
Man of Honor Boutonniere...........................................$10.50
Best Man Boutonniere................................................$10.50
Father of Bride Boutonniere.........................................$10.50

Altarpieces (banana leaves; 2 @ $40))..........................$80.00
Column rental (2 @ $25).............................................$50.00
Vase rental (2 @ $8)..................................................$16.00
Chair covers with sashes (31)......................................$263.50
Aisle petals...............................................................$50.00
Toss petals in chiffon bags (31 bags).............................$108.50

Sashes (crossed as cake table runner; 2 @ $4.50)...........$9.00
Vase rental (for bridal bouquet)....................................$5.00

Tax.......................................................................$57.79
Floral Total............................................................$946.79


Reception
Wedding cake (3-tier, custom design)...........................$772.13
Cake Handling Fee.....................................................$154.43
Vanilla Ice Cream (36 @ $3)........................................$138.02
Sound System for iPod...............................................$290.95
Soft Drink & Bottled Water Package (36 @ $17.50)..........$805.14
Sparkling Cider (3 @ $24)............................................$92.02
Vendor Meals (3 @ $13.95)..........................................$53.48
Cape May Lighthouse Buffet (36 @ $32.50)....................$1,495.26
  • Assorted Two Chilled Juices
  • Assortment of Individual Fruit Yogurts
  • Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese
  • Your Choice of Two: Traditional Bacon, Country Sausage Patties, Beef & Pork Kielbasa, Applewood Smoked Turkey Sausage
  • Crisp Hash Brown Potatoes with Fresh Herbs
  • Mini Mickey Waffles Served with Maple Syrup, Strawberry and Blueberry Toppings
  • Sliced Seasonal Fresh Fruits and Berries Display with a Mango Coulis*
  • Selection of Bagels with Cream Cheese and Flavored Cream Cheeses*
  • Baskets of Freshly Baked Breakfast Pastries Served with Butter, Preserves and Marmalade*
  • Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and a Selection of Hot Teas*
*Served early instead of a separate pre-reception menu


Dessert Party
Lower UK Venue Rental................................................$250.00
For the Child in You dessert menu (35 @ $19.50)..............$872.24
Outdoor Set-Up Charge................................................$75.00
27 Viewing Fees (@$12.50)...........................................$359.44
Motorcoach Charter (5-hour minimum).............................$446.25

Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait..........................................$1,000
TOTAL w/tax & service charge..................................$11,586.56
 
I finally put together the final numbers for our Disney wedding and I thought it might be helpful for anyone trying to decide if they can afford a Disney wedding or what type of wedding works with their budget. We had an original budget of $20,000 but we ended up going over by about $2,000, mainly because our budget needed to include our honeymoon and travel costs associated with the wedding.

Now, before we get into numbers, I need to make a huge disclaimer. I don't think these numbers necessarily reflect the average cost of the type of wedding that we had. I begged, borrowed, and nearly stole to get things to be as cheap as possible and I got really lucky with some of the deals I got, like my wedding dress. These prices reflect contracts I made in early 2008 and the prices for everything are likely to be higher now (perhaps much higher), especially for creative services like photography, videography, and hair/makeup. I also got discounts on a few things in exchange for free publicity on my blog.

Finally, Kyle and I skimped on a lot of things to make room in our budget for others. We didn't have a cake, we didn't have real flowers, we didn't have a rehearsal dinner, and the bride wore flip flops. So, before you look at our final number and say "I can do that!", remember that there's a lot of hard work and compromise that doesn't show up on this list.

So, without further ado, here are the final numbers for our Disney wedding:
All costs include tax and gratuity.

* Bride’s Ring: $1500.00
* Groom’s Ring: $1260.00
* Wedding Pavilion for Ceremony: $2662.50
* Officiant: $300.00
* Pre-Reception at Whitehall Room for 55 guests: $2950.05
* Reception at Grand Floridian for 55 guests: $4082.31
* DJ for Reception: $1500.00
* Photography (digital files, no prints): $1950.00
* Videography (digital files, no editing): $546.35
* 142 Homemade Invitations w/ postage: $640.00
* Wedding Newsletter #1 w/ postage: $18.00
* Wedding Newsletter #2 w/ postage: $18.00
* Bridal Party Newsletter w/ postage: $10.00
* Guest Information Packets w/ postage: $245.00
* Programs for 55 guests: $7.00
* Wedding Dress: $265.00
* Bride Shoes: $5.00
* Bride Earrings: $8.00
* Veil: $10.00
* Hair/Makeup Trial: $100.00
* Wedding Day Hair/Makeup: $140.00
* Groom Tux and Shoes w/ delivery to Pop Century: $130.00
* Wraps for 5 Bridesmaids: $10.00
* Ties for 11 Groomsmen/Bridesmen: $85.00
* Flowers for Wedding Party: $150.00
* Flower Girl Basket: $4.00
* Baby Bridesmaid Wand: $6.00
* Reception Centerpieces for 6 tables: $93.00
* Placecards and Table Numbers w/ holders for 6 tables: $10.00
* Guestbook: $28.00
* 5 Bridesmaid Gifts: $50.00
* 11 Groomsman/Bridesman Gifts: $25.00
* Parent Gifts: $130.00
* Activity bags for kids at reception: $20.00
* Flight to Florida for Planning Session/Week-long Honeymoon: $461.00
* Hotel for Planning Session/Week-long Honeymoon: $602.00
* Estimated food/extras for Planning Session/Week-long Honeymoon: $400.00
* Flight to Florida for Wedding Week: $650.00
* Hotel for Wedding Week: $519.72
* Estimated food/extras for Wedding Week: $200.00
* Bridal Minnie Ears: $20.00
* Groom Mickey Ears: $20.00
* Thank You Cards: $40.00
* Two At-Home Reception Books: $56.00

Total: $21,926.93

Oh, busted! I ended up going about $2000.00 over. I could make excuses here about how the rings shouldn't count (or at least my ring) because that wasn't part of the wedding planning and how I included the honeymoon costs, which were $1,463, and arguably that shouldn't have been included either. So, if I cheat and take off the things that were Kyle's responsibility (ring and honeymoon), then really I end up with a budget just under $19,000. But, you guys are smarter than that and you know that Kyle's money and my money isn't coming from two different places. It's all one big pot and that pot took a $22,000.00 hit when we decided to have a Disney wedding.

That being said, we both agree that it was the best $22,000.00 we've ever spent. In fact, there are a couple of additional things we would have splurged for, looking back, because it was such an amazing experience and we'll never be able to do it again. I won't tell you to break your budget if you really, really want your Disney wedding, because that's irresponsible. I'll just tell you that we aren't sorry at all that we broke ours. It was definitely worth it!

You can find more information about each aspect of the wedding and how we got it for that price here: http://budgetdisneywedding.blogspot.com/2009/05/cost-of-disney-wedding.html

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I like that you included planning session and honeymoon amounts in the same budget as the wedding. I am having separate budgets for the wedding and honeymoon/travel....I figure it's a way to fool myself that it's not costing as much as it is. What I don't know won't hurt me!! :lmao::lmao:
 


thank you for sharing your budgets..I'm working on mine..adding the planning session, honeymoon, and a site visit and seeing other numbers helps a lot.
 
I'll play... we are doing a very private simple VR at SP. Our family of four and our best friends (which is another family of four). We have virtually no upgrades.

Escape VR (SP at the Poly)... $4750 (2010 price)
Hotel - DVC Members staying AKV Concierge... free
Parks - Already have Annual passes... free
Dress... $550
Shoes, Tiara, Jewelry... $200
Dh's outfit... $200 (silk shirt/khakis)
Boy's outfits... $200 (linen shirts/khakis/sandals)
Plane Tickets... $2000
Upgrade Pictures - Ariel's Package... $350
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare... $120
Possible Appies/Desserts at CG (to watch Wishes)... $30
Total so far, but I don't think I have anything extra to add... $8400 (all taxes included)

I'm actually not including the plane tickets and I'm discounting $800 from the overall price. We would have purchased a new set of annual passes for us regardless, so I don't consider them to be a part of the VR budget (this is the $800). I also don't include the plane tickets because we were going anyway for vacation.

My actual VR Total... $5600 :cool1:
 


Alright ladies, here is my estimated budget, that reflects the MAX I am willing to spend on each thing. The prices have all been converted into Canadian $ so that I actually know how much money I am spending (I guessed at the exchange being 1.15, so if you are trying to put it into US$ just minus 15%). I am really, REALLY hoping not to reach my max......I have seen a few dresses under $500 I like, so I will update in a few months when items have been bought.

Oh, and this is for an Escape.

Before Trip Costs:
Wedding Gown 1500
Girls Dresses 500
Guys attire (ties) 200
Gifts 300
Manicure/pedicure (at home salon) 50
accessories 100

DFTW Costs:

Ceremony package 5462.5
Upgrades 250
Dinner 1300
Hair (for 4 people) 300
Makeup (for one) 75
Dessert Party 1500
Room @ 11 nights 1900
Food during stay 900
flight (roundtrip for 2) 500
tours/extras for honeymoon 300
officiant 300
photography 300 (300 already paid, not counting it!!)
favours 50

TOTAL BUDGET $15789.50

Pray for me that I don't reach it:rotfl:
 
I see that everyone kinda budgeted for transportation for their guests..Has anyone not done that.. Or is that just something that is better to do? We are getting married at the pavillion and then the reception at the whitehall room.. We invited 60 and am betting maybe 35 will come, not sure..Should we do a bus? :confused:
 
I see that everyone kinda budgeted for transportation for their guests..Has anyone not done that.. Or is that just something that is better to do? We are getting married at the pavillion and then the reception at the whitehall room.. We invited 60 and am betting maybe 35 will come, not sure..Should we do a bus? :confused:


I don't think you need to provide transportation for the Wedding Pavilion and Whitehall room. As long as you give good directions. A lot of people provide transportation for the dessert parties. I'm providing transportation but my wedding will be in Epcot so it's required by Disney.
 
According to our Wedding Planner, our event came in just $69 over Disney’s $10,000 minimum expenditure requirement for our date in 2008. We had 34 guests.

Here’s the breakdown, including tax and service charge which, unfortunately, don’t count toward the minimum...

Ceremony
Event Guide for rehearsal in Epcot:..............................$90.00
Friendship Boat one way:...........................................$250.00
Ceremony Audio Package:..........................................$993.03
Morocco Site Fee:....................................................$1,597.50
Limo one way:.........................................................$144.45
Motorcoach charter (8 hours):....................................$714.00

Floral
Bridal Bouquet (dahlias).............................................$260.00
Groom’s Boutonniere..................................................$12.50
Hidden Mickey for groom............................................$3.00
Man of Honor Boutonniere...........................................$10.50
Best Man Boutonniere................................................$10.50
Father of Bride Boutonniere.........................................$10.50

Altarpieces (banana leaves; 2 @ $40))..........................$80.00
Column rental (2 @ $25).............................................$50.00
Vase rental (2 @ $8)..................................................$16.00
Chair covers with sashes (31)......................................$263.50
Aisle petals...............................................................$50.00
Toss petals in chiffon bags (31 bags).............................$108.50

Sashes (crossed as cake table runner; 2 @ $4.50)...........$9.00
Vase rental (for bridal bouquet)....................................$5.00

Tax.......................................................................$57.79
Floral Total............................................................$946.79


Reception
Wedding cake (3-tier, custom design)...........................$772.13
Cake Handling Fee.....................................................$154.43
Vanilla Ice Cream (36 @ $3)........................................$138.02
Sound System for iPod...............................................$290.95
Soft Drink & Bottled Water Package (36 @ $17.50)..........$805.14
Sparkling Cider (3 @ $24)............................................$92.02
Vendor Meals (3 @ $13.95)..........................................$53.48
Cape May Lighthouse Buffet (36 @ $32.50)....................$1,495.26
  • Assorted Two Chilled Juices
  • Assortment of Individual Fruit Yogurts
  • Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese
  • Your Choice of Two: Traditional Bacon, Country Sausage Patties, Beef & Pork Kielbasa, Applewood Smoked Turkey Sausage
  • Crisp Hash Brown Potatoes with Fresh Herbs
  • Mini Mickey Waffles Served with Maple Syrup, Strawberry and Blueberry Toppings
  • Sliced Seasonal Fresh Fruits and Berries Display with a Mango Coulis*
  • Selection of Bagels with Cream Cheese and Flavored Cream Cheeses*
  • Baskets of Freshly Baked Breakfast Pastries Served with Butter, Preserves and Marmalade*
  • Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and a Selection of Hot Teas*
*Served early instead of a separate pre-reception menu


Dessert Party
Lower UK Venue Rental................................................$250.00
For the Child in You dessert menu (35 @ $19.50)..............$872.24
Outdoor Set-Up Charge................................................$75.00
27 Viewing Fees..........................................................$12.50
Motorcoach Charter (5-hour minimum).............................$446.25

Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait..........................................$1,000
TOTAL w/tax & service charge..................................$11,193.19

Your price doesn't include photographer, video, invites, hair & make-up?

If you do not mind me asking...how much extra was it with tax?
 
This is for a 85 person wedding. We're hoping only 75-80 come, but thought it would be prudent to budget for more coming than expected, and cut down once we get our final guest count.

Location: Sea Breeze Point $1597.50
Keyboardist: $825
Limo: $282
Motorcoach: 1 at $781.20
Bar Package: 72 at $41pp (5 hours) $3804
Soda Package: 13 at $24pp $402
Cake: Mad Hatter 3 Tier $1049.83
Cake Handling Fee: $220.30
Vendor Meal: 1 at $17.98
Buffet Dinners: 85 at $73pp $7995.82
DJ: $1500
Pin Spotting: 9 at $125/table $1125

Total: $19600.63

Floral Budget:
Bride's Bouquet: $225
BM Bouquets: 4 at $85/bouquet $340
Flower Girl silver bucket filled with rose petals: $22.50
Boutonnieres: 8 at $10.50ea $84
Corsages: 2 at $26ea $52
Unity Candle Set (rental): $65
Hurricane globes for unity candles: $10
Silver revere bowls designed rounded and French using light green hydrangea to be placed on steps: 4 at $80ea $320
22" glass cylinders w/ green marbles in base of cylinder: 8 at $20ea $180
Floral arrangements atop cylinders for centerpieces (round arrangements with ivory spider mums and queen annes lace): 9 at $200ea $1800
Moss crushed linens: 9 at $39ea $351
Chairs with ties: 85 at $8.50ea $722.50

Total: $4443.18

Grand Total: $24043.81
Was this all with Disney? Or did you use an outside vendor? Include taxes, etc.
 
Your price doesn't include photographer, video, invites, hair & make-up?

If you do not mind me asking...how much extra was it with tax?

That's because I didn't pay Disney for any of those things. :thumbsup2

Hair & Makeup: $150

Invites: Letterpressed by a friend as a wedding gift, so all I paid was about $60 to have the schedules and the folios that enclosed the invites printed and cut out.

Videographer: $1025

Photographer: $1700


None of these elements were taxed.
 
Here is ours for an Escape with 9 people - just confirmed with Disney.

Escape package - $4500
Cake upgrade - $145
Dining at Sago Cay for 9 people - $92 per person + $16 for drinks package
Floral - $50 (corsage and extra button hole)
Total - $5667 inc taxes etc

Our total for everything is $14000 and includes:

Randy Chapman photography
Officiant Kevin Knox
Marriage license
Stretch Hummer
Yachtsmans Steakhouse on the night
Acrylic nails and manicure for 2
Dress, petticoat, headpiece, alterations
Veil
Jewellery
Shoes
Handbag
Suit hire x 2
Steaming
Parking and hotel
Flights from UK
Wk1 - Villa
WK2 - Boardwalk
Wk3 - Disney POR
Wk4 -Villa
Durango 24 nights car hire
Insurance
 
Here is ours for an Escape with 9 people - just confirmed with Disney.

Escape package - $4500
Cake upgrade - $145
Dining at Sago Cay for 9 people - $92 per person + $16 for drinks package
Floral - $50 (corsage and extra button hole)
Total - $5667 inc taxes etc

Our total for everything is $1400 and includes:

Randy Chapman photography
Officiant Kevin Knox
Marriage license
Stretch Hummer
Yachtsmans Steakhouse on the night
Acrylic nails and manicure for 2
Dress, petticoat, headpiece, alterations
Veil
Jewellery
Shoes
Handbag
Suit hire x 2
Steaming
Parking and hotel
Flights from UK
Wk1 - Villa
WK2 - Boardwalk
Wk3 - Disney POR
Wk4 -Villa
Durango 24 nights car hire
Insurance

I can't believe you got ALL of that for 1400!! You are AMAZING! :cool1:
 
Hi,

Anymore new BEO's out their for an escape and wishes wedding? Please include taxes and service charge.

Thanks, :thumbsup2

Annie
 

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