Is $300 average for a suit?

We only want something casual and basic (hes having an open shirt and it will be a cold day in hell before he wears a suit again!) without being 'cheap'.

My suits are good quality and middle of the price range, so Im assuming the male equivalent would be similar in price.

And has anyone priced cakes? We get $2 a head, which only comes to $160... which doesnt seem to be enough for a cake.

Sh&*%$ thats another cost....the cake!

My cake is only costing $80 as one of the Bridesmaid's mother's is making it, so she is just charging for ingredients.

From what I can see in the bridal mags, anywhere between $300-500 seems to be the average, from Planet Cake / Sweet Art style shops.

As for suits, I think $200 is what I got quoted for groomsmen, including suit, shirt, shoes (!!!) etc, and for groom I figured it would be the same or a little more???

Matts nan was going to make our cake, but seeing as it comes in the package, its probably easier for us to just buy it. Plus she wouldve had to transport it down from Sydney, then organise to get it up to the reception venue before we all got there.

Anyone have any ideas of what i can ask her to do to make her feel more 'involved'? She is gorgeous and I love her to bits and I worry that she feels a bit left out.

AND... add an extra $440 to my budget for the bus!

Kate,

If your cake comes with your reception and Matts Nan really wants to do something why dont you ask her if she would like to put the Wedding Thankyous together she would probably like to do something like that and it will make her feel involved and it is also something that everyone will see and she will be able to say she did them.

Kathyxxx

Besides Amanda because I know what she is having.Who is having special Champagne Flutes on the Bridal Table?

Kathyxxx

Yep we are.

Matt reckons his mum is buying them, but Im going to get some just in case.

Add another $100 to my budget for the bathroom goodie baskets...

I just priced Amanda's Champagne Flutes

$25 each engraved and gift wrapped so not to bad.

Pull the credit card out again!!!

Kathyxxx

Crikey girls - what have we got ourselves into?

This is getting ridiculous!

OK, I will make a list - making a guess with most things;

Catering - 4500
Reception Hire - 100
Grog - 5000
Decorations and Bonbon - 1000 (for reception and garden ceremony)
Cake - 300
Band - 1000
Photographer - 1000
Videographer - 1000
My outfit - 1000
Glenn's outfit - 500
Bridal Party gifts - 300
PG & FG outfits - 300
Flowers - 400
Hair and Makeup - 450
Bathroom goodies - 100
Stationery - 1000
Celebrant - Free (family friend)
My wedding ring - 1800
Glenn's wedding ring - 700

OK, that's a total of $20,450! OMFG! That's the first time the I have added that up all together. I always read in bridal mags about how much weddings cost, but I never thought that mine would go close to it... Shit hey. I am in a state of shock.

Is there any prices there that you think I might be out about?

I'm like you Kate. I have the whole excel spreadsheet & formula's etc going to keep track of my budget (or lack thereof)!!!

Unfortunately Sydney seems to be the Queen of overcharging when it comes to weddings. Our reception alone is costing (are you sitting down???)...$15,900!! That is for 150 @$106 per head. Now you can understand why Jase has periodic stress attacks about the cost! We nearly had a heart attack when we started looking around, but quickly found $90-120 per head was the pretty average price for reception places around here. In the end we just bit the bullet and said bugger it, it's only once in your life you do this and you may as well enjoy it! We are paying for it all ourselves (ouch!!!), but my beautiful mother is buying my dress for me.

Kate, I have asked my Nanna to start the reception with a welcome and say grace as I wanted her to have a part as well. She was tinkled pink. Maybe you could include her some way in the reception?

We will probably have some nice flutes for the Bridal table. Jase bought me a bottle of Cristal champagne last year, so we are planning to pop it at the reception for us and bridal party. If you have swish champers, you have to have swish glasses to drink it from!!!

Hi Laurette

Was just look into grog prices, and was wondering how you get the $5000 figure, is this for package or buying the drinks yourslef?

Thanks

Tam

Ohh Laurette, I think you've just hit the reality wall!! Go and have a nice, stiff drink and you'll feel a lot better

Hi Ellerson, how is your brother going? Glad you've been able to spend some time with him. Have you seen the ex-wife??

Hi Michelle - good to see you back in here! Hope all is going well in QLD - how is your brother and the kids? Are they coping with thier mum gone?

Tam, we are having our reception at our local golf club, so we have to pay bar prices for the grog - there is no package available as such. We will have a bar tab - beer, wine, soft drink, and half spirits. We guess that the grog will be worth about the same the food - it's not hard for someone to drink $30 worth of alcohol. They will probably cap the tab at $5000 so then it doesnt blow out.

Hi my lovelies!!!

Im still around... Just to refresh 25th for me at current, may be changing to 26th for a sunday wedding!We can save a good $1600 just on room hire and food by going the Sunday!! Thinking its a wise move..

Just thought i'd pipe up, in case any of u forgot me! lol

Hey Nik - that's not a bad idea. Good thinking!

I would think about doing something similar, except that heaps of our guests will travel here for it, so I want to be able to have a post-wedding celebration the next day to see them all again. So we need the Sunday for that.

OMG girls... i've been looking over all your budgets and it's scaring me, because quite frankly I really don't have one yet... have tried, but everytime I do it, I don't like the end result, so I don't use it! HELP ME!!!

I'll do what everything is costing us so far:

Reception Centre: $13 - 15K (includes food and beer wine and soft drinks), chair covers, dvd recorded and guests messages at reception.... I think thats it?!?! But I fell in love with the place and I know their quality of food is exceptional. We will be providing spirits aswell but this will not be through the function centre, they will serve them but we will supply!!

Church: Still having a drama over this one, but at the moment we have one booked which is costing us $600.00

Photographer: $1000.00

Videopgrapher: $1000.00

DJ: $1200.00

My Wedding Ring: $1400.00 (approx this is what we were quoted)

H2b's wedding Ring: $600-800.00

Cars: $1320.00

Make-up $60.00 per person.

really that's all ive done, and it already is looking so dangerous!


I should go see a florist soon - has everyone decided what flowers they are having?

xxx Alicia xxx

Hi Kathy

We will only supply half nips of spirits - they are worth the same as a glass of wine or a middy, so it's all fair. There are people who dont drink beer and wine (ie - me) so it needs to be fair for them as well.

Leesha - I know what you mean. I had written that budget down just then yesterday - although I wouldnt really call it a budget - more of a 'list'!

How are we all toady? Glenn and I are struggling with only one car and it's only been a day! And we were thinking about trading both cars in for a 'practical family car' before the wedding - we'll have to see about that. Have to check out whether our post house budget stretches to include two cars! What am I on about - never used a budget in my life!

ETA - I just noticed my post count - I am making it my mission to get to 2000 today!

Morning hon :-)

damn on the car... what sort of car are you looking at wanting to get?

Yeah I know... not exactly a budget more just a list... that needs a million other things added to it!!!

Leesha - I am thinking that I will just have roses. I love that they are just so classic and beautiful - and keep really well which I want to be able to preserve my bouquet (cue another 400 onto the 'budget').

At this stage, definetly roses.

Laurette I reckon you can get away with stationary for half that price pretty easily.

And when we were considering having our reception at the club, we were told to allow between $15-$20 a person, but it usually worked out to be around $12pp.

I'd set your bar tab at about $2500.

Oh good - well maybe that will be able to pay for the planned preservation of said bouquet.

Isnt it scary!!!

SSOOOO much money!!!

We're also trying to save as much as we can so when I fall pregnant we have a bit of a nest egg for me to stay home.

It took me a good 6 goes to get this reply happening - damn flood control!

I thought that that was a reasonable amount for stationery - I mean it will include Invites, place cards, thanksyous, OOS, Menus etc.

I am going to do it all myself here at work, so I will have to buy a toner cartridge for the printer I guess, that will be a couple of hundred dollars.

Yeah I spose...

If I was you Id look into printing costs. My sister got hers invites done for something like 40c per invite. Would work out cheaper to get them all done than pay a few hundred for a toner.

Also, check out stationary supplies on ebay. You can get paper at really reasonable prices.

Are you giving youre guests a choice of meal?

And flowers....forgot flowers - Im thinking maybe another $500 there?

Oh dear....I really do need to sit down and do up a proper spreadsheet and budget this all out properly!

Amanda

This might be a bit out of line, so dont answer if you arent comfortable to, but who is paying for everyones weddings.

My Parents are putting in roughly 25% each, and Matt and I are footing the remaining 50%, so we're really getting out of it pretty easily!

Morning girls,


IT ALL ADDS UP DOSENT!!!!!!

Kathyxxx

Hi Girls,

Leesha, now I don't feel so bad about my reception! Your's is around the same level, so I'm not the only crazy woman!!!

For flowers, I am going roses and orchids. I love both. I need to go and speak to a florist though because some orchids are not in season in March, so I need to find out which ones are - hopefully the ones that I like are!!

I think "list" is probably a more correct term - using "budget" when you are talking about this much money is a bit ridiculous.

Laurette, I think my stationery will also be around the $1K mark, by the time you include all items. The OOS are particularly expensive - and when we have 150 guests, those stationery bits can all add up. I guess I'll have to go and prices papers and stuff soon.

jo.

Wow, this thread is on fire!! There was another 3 posts just while I was typing mine.

Kate, .40c for printing sounds fantastic. I didn't realise you could get it done so cheaply. Was she is in Sydney?? If so, can I get printer details from you?

Jase & I are footing the bill - all 100% of it!!! Except my dress, which my beautiful Mum is buying for me. Except Jason's Dad, none of our parents are in a financial position to help with the wedding. Jason's Dad very kindly gave us some money for Christmas but with the stipulation of it going towards - and only towards - a house deposit.

It was done down here in Wollongong.

I'll get details off her if anyone is interested.

When you think about it, then run things thru in bulk, so 100 or so invites would only take them 5 mins to do... $40 or so bucks for 5 mins work isnt too bad! Although I do remember there was a delay cos the weather wasnt right - if its wet or humid it affects the paper.

Another song idea....now try not to think I'm fruity, but we were thinking about having 'Annie's Song' by John Denver. Its not really a country and western song Mum (as if I'd allow it) and we are thinking that it would be a nice song for a wedding. In fact, it is a very popular wedding song choice. Anyway, just a thought for now....and we have dumped Paddy's previously favoured "All For You" by Sister Hazel. A nice song but not entirely lyrically appropriate!

So Annie's song was written for John Denver's wife...it's a pretty song I think, but I'm open to suggestion. We also got a Michael Buble CD in Bali and there are some great songs on that....unlike the Robbie Williams one which has half of the good songs overdubbed in French, Indonesian, etc....

Anyway....


ANNIE'S SONG by JOHN DENVER

You fill up my senses
Like a night in the forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

Let me give my life to you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

Money wise - My folks are chipping in roughly $5000, though it seems mum keeps chucking in more! Paddy's folks are going to match it, but I think their contribution will be in bits and pieces between now and then (i.e. paying for dresses, etc)...and Paddy and I will be paying the rest....

AW

My parents are paying for;

caterer
reception hire
band
flowers
cake
photographer
stationery

Glenn's parents are paying for grog

We are paying for;

wedding rings
videographer
our clothes
hair and makeup
bathroom goodies
bouquet preservation
bridal party gifts
honeymoon
fg & pb outfits

Amanda, that's a beautiful song. I never knew it was called "Annie's Song". When I started reading the words, it clicked what song it is!

Kate, I saw your post in DIY about cheap ribbons. I have found a place in Sydney that sells ribbon by the roll for a pretty good price. If you like, give me details of what you are after (size, satin/organza etc) or even send me a sample, and I can go price it for you next time I go.

Just found a new movie called 'Monster in Law'....is has J.Lo and Jane Fonda. Fonda is the mother in law that turns into a monster, it looks hilarious.... especially if you liked The Wedding Planner!!!!

The official site is www.monsterinlawmovie.com. It looks great!

I can see it being a hit for hens weekend movie marathons!

I agree Jo....although apparently the Catholics banned it from Ceremonies for some time as it had suggestive references to pre-marital sex! Please! The guy wrote it after they were married!

Anyway, I think it would be a nice first dance song....another good one would be Michael Buble and Nelly Furtado 'Quando Quando Quando', followed by Mum and Paddy's fave 'Sway'....

Jo Im not really sure exactly what I want yet...

Im thinking brown to match my girls dresses... but they havent chosen their material yet.

Id want it about an inch thick for my invites, and about 1cm if I decide to put it on my bombon.

I need about 25m for the invites (i think) and probably 20m for the bombon.

When we go up to matts nans next we're going to hit the paper place at Silverwater and go from there with the invites.

aah, Kate - I was wondering when you were going to change your sig!

I did it yesterday!

Just changed the booking at the gardens we're getting married at!

YAY!

Things are finally falling into place!

Oh - I am a bit slow.

Amanda, I have seen that movie advertised - will definetly be going to see it!

I made my 2000th post this afternoon! This one is #2003

Nope... 2004 actually!!!

Yeah - woops.

Now I am up to 2009!

Kate, excellent news about getting your bookings changed! Are you feeling all jittery with excitement?

yes and no. I just want it to all hurry up!

Have you tried that bloody dress on yet?

Laurette, you are now a double centurian!! And during lunch, we flipped over to 15 pages! We rock!!

I haven't heard of the Monster in Law movie, but it sounds like fun. I'll have to check it out.

Amanda, I love "Sway" as well. This is another possibility for us. Jason & I dance together as a hobby (thus the Dancing Girl sign on name) and we have always loved dancing to Sway. The Dean Martin version is also really nice.

Kate, I'm going to the ribbon place in the next couple of weeks to get some for my invites and candles, so I'll check out range of brown ribbons and prices and let you know. If it sounds O.K, I'll give you the address so you can have a look when you are next up. The factory is in Auburn, so not too far from Silverwater.

Jo.

Sweet mate!

When were heading to silverwater, I'll get the details off you if you dont mind!

I spent a lot of my fri and sat nights at Auburn Maccas that was very much my 'scene' when I was younger :shudder: And yes... my first boyfriend had a yellow gemini with mags and a huge stereo!


ETA:
That couldnt be any different to how Ive ended up now tho! Matt is the polar opposite to what I always thought Id end up with (to mums relief!)

I am on official i-do addict - in my mind, I have been one for a long time!

Kate, PMSL at the Gemini - one of my mates used to have a silver one with gold Simmons mags. We were the s*** I tell you! We used to cruise over to TAFE in it and couldnt go to Maccas because it wouldnt go in the driveway!

Dont get me started on that friggen thing.

lol he spent about $5000 on the 'system' but wouldnt turn it up in certain areas cos he didnt want people to know he had it incase they followed us home and stole it! (whats the point in having it if you dont utilise it... der... )

We had trouble getting over speed bumps, and used to bottom out when we hit pot holes, so he used to drive like a bloody rally driver avoiding them all!

The interior was all custom black and canary yellow...

I could go on. It was the absolute w0g box!

Worst thing... he was completely in love with it! (admittedly, at the time, so was I! ) how embarressment!

ETA:
OMG... how could I forget the momo steering wheel, gearstick and pedals - the mounted tacho, and 2 1/2 inch exhaust!!

PMSL X 2!!! One of my girlfriends at school had a Gemini - it was a very attractice shade of brown!! We loved it and thought we were oh so cool hooning around town. I went out with a guy who had one of those SLR 5000 Torana's (is that what they are called) with the huge stereo and a wanky horn!! It was his absolute treasure! Oh, the memories!!

And like you Kate, Jase is so far apart from the guys I went out with, it's not funny!!