Welcome to our real wedding budget breakdown series! Our newlywed readers have been kind enough to share the spreadsheets behind their weddings, breaking down how they made savings, and where they splashed out. Whatever you have to spend on your big day, it's all about investing in what's important to you, and cutting back elsewhere when you can, and hopefully perusing other couple's wedding budgets will help you see what's possible with your own!
Today's couple are from Dublin, they're 33 and 28, and work in building and the public sector. They celebrated their nuptials with a civil ceremony and a DIY golf club wedding.
Budget: €10,000
Guests: 70
Venue: Luxury Resort Golf Club
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Venue: €4820
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Photography: Gifted, a friend did it for us
Music & Entertainment: €1550
Flowers: €100 I made the bouquets and arrangements myself
Wedding Cake: €60 We made it ourselves
Decor: €100
Stationery: €50
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Wedding Dress €430
Groom's Suit: €240
Bridesmaid's Dresses: €100 including shoes
Shoes & Accessories: €180
Rings: €1050
Hair & Makeup: €120 for hair for the bride and bridesmaid, we did our own makeup
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Accommodation: €990 (including rooms for the bridal party)
Civil Ceremony: €350
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Honeymoon: €5000
More or less than you expected to spend?
A bit more but we were happy with the final cost.
Where did your wedding budget come from?
Savings and gifts from our families.
Biggest Splurge?
Apart from venue, we spent more on the rings than planned, but we'll have them forever!
Biggest Savings?
DIY elements like cake, flowers and having friends help with photos.
Honeymoon
We went on a trip around Europe.
Were you happy with what you spent on your wedding?
Absolutely, we didn't want to spend much but still wanted a great day - we got the balance we wanted and focused on keeping people well fed!
Any Tips or Advice?
Don't feel like you have to spend a certain amount on anything or that there are things you have to have - it's your day, do what you want!
Be realistic about what you can afford and are willing to spend. Focus on the key elements that will be important for you to have a great day. Enjoy it!
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: Conor Brennan via One Fab Day | For anonymity, all images are from a mix of real weddings, not the one featured in this budget breakdown.
