Wedding - Budget, Planning, Costs, Tips

   When we set out to plan a budget for our wedding, it would have been really helpful if we had had a realistic look at someone else's budget and cost.  So, friends, here you go.  I'll lay out what we laid out and what we got for the cost and what worked & not.  Hopefully, it'll help some one out there trying to put together their own budget.

Details:
   --Guests: attended 102 (invited 140), includes us
   --Venue: Power Plant Studio, Old City, Philadelphia
   --Date: Saturday night, August 17 (7 - midnight)

   --Caterer: Chef's Table
   --Menu: Pig Roast from Cannulis in the Italian Market & Stuffed Peppers (Vegan/Veg), 2 sides, appetizers, coffee & tea.  All soda, juice, & mixers included.  Buffet-style.
            Dessert: made by a guest, we paid for cost of supplies only which was completely amazing.
   --Open Full Bar - 14 cases of beer, 3 cases of wine, 14 bottles of booze (could have had a few more bottles of vodka & whiskey)

   --Photographer: no. HOWEVER, we did have a "photobooth" by Love Shack Photo & Jackie (the photographer) was amazing.
   --DJ: no.  We just used the wifi & created Spotify lists.

Not included in the budget - dress / suit / outfits for bride and groom, honeymoon, rings, lunches for get togethers to DIY (it adds up), favors (did not do this other than the toys on the tables), thank you notes/stamps (to be sent still, but I expect it will cost about $100).

   We spent our money on the venue, the food, and the photobooth.  Our wedding was more guest-centered, and we really just wanted to throw a great party.

Total out: $14,000 (plus $1000 venue deposit which we've already gotten back).

-Rough breakdown: Food + Alcohol: $7,000  (includes staffing, real plates, glass, & silverware)
-Venue: $4300
-Photobooth: $1300
-Invitations & Programs: $200 (we did postcards for both)
-Marriage Licence: $90 (Quaker licence, so no need for an officiant)
-Extas: $1000 - centerpieces (diy), tablecloths (diy), decoration materials (diy), toys for the tables, tea lights, cake costs, cake stands/table, bathroom baskets (2 @ $50 each) bobby pins, nail polish, little odds & ends.

I'll post about what worked/didn't & thoughts on the process in another post, but wanted to put this out there to help out folks who are planning a budget.

We were fairly bare bones (I didn't get new shoes, my sister did my hair, I did my nails & make-up, I made my dress, & we didn't have a DJ), but in the end, we were glad we spent the money were we did (on our guests) and were overall, happy with the evening.  I just wish it hadn't gone by so quickly!

Here's an image of the program postcard (front):