Welcome to our real wedding budget breakdown series! We're love to banish stigmas of all kinds around here, and if there's one thing you're 'not supposed to talk about' when it comes to weddings, it's how much they cost. Which is why we're sharing the real spreadsheets behind real weddings. We're taking the mystery out of planning your wedding budget by sharing how other couples did with theirs, whether they 25 guests or 250, and €5,000 or €50,000 to spend.
Today's couple are 39 and 44, they live in Meath and work in construction and sales, they tied the knot with a church ceremony followed by a reception for 200 at one of the most renowned country house wedding venues in Ireland.
Budget: €40,000
Guests: 200
Venue: A private-hire country house hotel in Meath
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Venue: €21,500
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Photography: €1000
Music & Entertainment: €3100
Flowers: €400
Wedding Cake: €750
Decor: €400
Stationery: €500
Transport: €400
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Wedding Dress €2000
Groom's Suit: €600
Groomsmen's Suits: €800
Bridesmaid's Dresses: €800
Shoes & Accessories: €500
Rings: €1000
Hair & Makeup: €650
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Gifts: €800
Accommodation: €2500
Church, Priest and Paperwork: €1000
Day Two: €1500
More or less than you expected to spend?
Much more! We'd planned on spending no more than €30,000 and it was very easy to go over that.
Where did your wedding budget come from?
Savings
Biggest Splurge?
The reception was the biggest chunk, but the dress felt expensive too.
Biggest Savings?
We saved on the flowers by having family member help, for the cake, we shopped around, and for the photography, we received a friend of a friend discount.
Honeymoon
We couldn't afford to honeymoon so are currently saving for a small holiday.
Were you happy with what you spent on your wedding?
No, we spent way too much compared to what we'd initially planned.
Any Tips or Advice?
Do want you want and don't be railroaded into all the extras.
Need more wedding budget real talk? We've got lots of tips and advice, and be sure to check out more real wedding budget breakdowns!
Got your own real wedding budget breakdown to share? Help other couples and fill in our anonymous Q&A!
Feature image: Moat Hill Photography via One Fab Day | All images are from a mix of real weddings, not the one featured in this budget breakdown.
