WEDDING REVIEW

What is a good wedding budget?

I live in Central California(Fresno Area).
I want a BIG fairy tale princess wedding.
I have been with my man for 4 years, and we are starting to save for our wedding. We aren’t yet engaged. I need to know some prices for like the
-venue for the reception
- food and drinks( I want a sit down dinner)
- the DJ
-flowers
-a good price for an engagement ring set
-a dress
-decorations
-favors
-photographer
-hair, nails, make up
-anything else I haven’t thought of.

I’m from Cali myself. My husband and I were married in Hanford. I miss the central valley so much. I call Lemoore “home”. Were a military family, and we live in crappy Virginia.

The US average cost for a wedding is $28,000. I spent less then $1,000 on mine. But I can give you a few hints on saving money. My hubby calls me “El Cheapo”. LOL!

1: Cut household expenses: shut off things you don’t watch or use on a regular basis like cable, internet, netflix, direct tv. Cut memberships to things you don’t use on a regular basis like gym, health clubs, private clubs etc. Bring your food from home.
Cook/eat at home. Shop the sales ads for stuff on sale. Hit up the local farmers market there on highway 41. It’s near that place that had the old airplane right outside of the restaurant. Or Go to that place in Selma, right near that car dealer ship. IF you like to socialize with friends Socialize at home once a month.
A friend of mine and her husband lost 50 lbs each before their wedding, because they stopped socializing in pubs, bars, and restaurants. They used the money they were spending on those things I just mentioned and joined Bally’s.

2: Money: Pay off any existing loans, credit cards, bank cards, lines of credit, over draft protection. If you have student loan debt consolidate your loans. You can get a better interest rate.

3: Travel: Don’t do any unnecessary traveling, unless it’s specifically for your job. With the prices of gas who can afford to? Pay your bills online. If you have running around to do leave it for a day/time of the week when you know it won’t be busy. Around where I live it’s early saturday and sunday mornings.

4: Income: Save at least 10-15% of your paycheck into an account specifically for your wedding. If you want to save money faster you might want to consider getting a second job where you can make tips.
*My cousin and her hubby paid off nearly $55,000 of debt and saved $30,000 for their wedding by doing this for 10 months.*

5: Clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories: Im not sure if your the type that likes these things. I’m going to go with the assumption that you are. Unless these things are ABSOLUTELY important for your vocation, don’t buy anything new. If they are important go to Ross Dress 4 less. They have great stuff in there for like EL CHEAPO prices. This is where I do alot of my shopping for my little family. I can go in there with a $150.00 budget for my son (who just turned 5), and come out with a ton of stuff with brand names. Unless it’s on sale, DON’T BUY IT. Both of you recycle your wardrobes. Get some classic pieces, and use those as a foundation for outfits. Im not a fashion guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I do watch that show, “What Not To Wear.” LOL.

Ok now onto your question:
-venue for the reception: I didn’t do alot of partying in Fresno. But I did do some in Visalia, Hanford, and Lemoore.

Visalia: There is a restaurant called “Aaron’s” on Mooney Blvd, that has 4 star quality for really good prices. I know they rent out private rooms for parties, social gatherings. I think there it would run you about $4-5,000 for a nice sit down dinner

Hanford: The Sportsmans restaurant. This place is on lacey blvd (If I remember correctly.). They have excellent foood in there. I attended a reception there, and it cost the bride and groom $4500 for a small party of 50 people. I know they have private dining areas.

Lermoore: On D st. There is an Italian Restaurant called Lina’s. It was right across the street from a bank. They have great food, pub like atmosphere, and really great service. I went to a small reception there for 15 people, and it cost the bride and groom $450.00.
- food and drinks( I want a sit down dinner): The food in the places I just mentioned varies from place to place.

- the DJ: A friend of mine found a college student who was an amateur DJ. he attended college of the sequoias. He charged then $175.00 for 2 hours. He did such a good job, that he got some work out of that wedding that I attended. But the “aveage” prices of a DJ is $250-$1500. Depending on the area of Cali, and how long their services are needed for.

-flowers: ALWAYS go with flowers that are in season. Make your own bouquets. There is a fresh flower market there in Fresno, This place you can get some amazing deals on flowers. Fresno Whlse. Flower Mkt.
5080 E Tulare Ave
Fresno, CA 93727 Map
(559) 255-3515

When I helped my friend plan her wedding in Bass Lake, this is where we went. She made all of the center pieces, 3 boquets, 6 boutineers, 5 corsages all for less then $200.00 She got all of her bowls, candles, marbles, mirrors, all at the dollar tree for $45.00.

-a good price for an engagement ring set: This will vary on what you want. Ive seen as little as $300.00 to $3,000. look at www.jewelryexchange.com, www.bluenile.com, www.target.com, www.walmart.com

-a dress: The friend I just mentioned didn’t have a huge budget. She found dress at Gottschalks for $4,000 that she feel in love with, but couldn’t afford it. So she went online to www.littlecoral.com and found a dress almost like the one at Gottschalks for like $200.00.

-decorations: Dont go overboard on the decorations. KISS-Keep It Simple Simon. This might run you about $200-$400. depending on what you want.

-favors: I wouldn’t bother with this. People just through these things away anyway. You go to all of that trouble spending alot of money, and they just get tossed in the trash. IF you want to do something cool. Then make sure it’s a favor people will keep like a hand held fan for those hot summer days there in Valley. you can get them really cheap at www.orientaltrading.com for like $2.00 a piece.

-photographer: My friend hired a photography from COS. The photographer charged her $450.00 for 3 hours.This also included some prints,and most of the negatives. Plus my friend gave her gas money to drive from Visalia, CA to Bass Lake.
-hair, nails, make up:
1: Hair: Go to your salon and have your stylist do a trial run with styles you might like. This is either a free charge or a very nominal fee. Usual cost: $75-$250. Depending on the style, and length of hair.
2: Nails: Get them done no more then 2 days before the wedding, because you don’t want yoru hands to be slippery with oil. Cost: $35-$50.00
3: Make up: DO NOT get a facial the day before your wedding. Your skin will be extremely sensitive, and two it will be blotchy. Get your facial at least 4 days before the actual date. Just use your normal daily cleanser on yoru skin the day of. Cost: $60.00-$85.00.

OML! I just wrote a book. good luck to you.

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