Welcome to our real wedding budget breakdown series where we take all the secrecy out of wedding budgets and share what other real life couples spent on their weddings. We've been sharing city weddings for €2000 and country house weddings for €50,000 and everything in between - where they splurged and how they saved. Hopefully it helps you see what's realistic and possible for your budget...
Today's couple are based in Dublin. They're aged 37 and 36, they both work in IT, and they said 'I do' with a country house hotel wedding in Ireland.
Budget: €25,500
Guests: 85
Venue: Country House Hotel
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Venue & Catering: €11,000
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Photography: €2000
Videography: €1400
Music & Entertainment: €2300
Flowers: €870
Wedding Cake: €180
Decor: €200
Stationery: €750
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Wedding Dress €1750 (including alterations)
Groom's Suit: €180 (hired)
Groomsmen's Suits: €650 (for groomsmen and fathers, hired)
Bridesmaid's Dresses: €400 (for two bridesmaids, including alterations)
Shoes & Accessories: €350
Rings: €1,900
Hair & Makeup: €660
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Gifts: €200
Accommodation: €840 (included in venue charge)
Celebrant and Fees: €750
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Honeymoon: €12,000
More or less than you expected to spend?
The food, wine and venue charges were more than we had initially expected, but worth it.
Where did your wedding budget come from?
It came from savings and gifts.
Biggest Splurge?
Catering and wine.
Biggest Savings?
Hiring suits for the men rather than buying and finding an inexpensive cake maker, sourcing accessories such as veil and hair combs on Etsy rather than from bridal boutiques. I also limited the amount I was going to spend on the wedding dress - when trying on dresses I didn't even look at ones above a certain price. There was still absolutely loads of choice!
Honeymoon
We went to the Indian Ocean.
Were you happy with what you spent on your wedding?
It was worth it!
Any Tips or Advice?
Stay on top of your budget, Excel sheets are a must. Also ask (nicely!) for discounts where possible.
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: Photo by Naomi Kamat via One Fab Day | All images are from a mix of real weddings, not the one featured in this budget breakdown.
