Cost breakdown of my wedding

When I was first planning my wedding, I found similar posts to be extremely helpful. Now that I'm out on the other side, here's mine! Hope it helps someone out there.

Things I did NOT include: cost of our wedding bands, the rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, and items that can become "forever" items (ex: lipstick, shoes, white dresses & clothing I bought for events, etc.). I also did not include cards & stamps cost for thank you cards. Haven't bought those yet :)

My MIL contributed $10k + rehearsal dinner, FIL $2k, my grandparents paid for everything related to the wedding dress & veil work (~$750), my parents paid for bridal shower, bridesmaids paid for a lot of my bach party (it was a short drive away to a beach town. NOT a destination bach party. And I never asked them to- they gifted it to me). After cash gifts and the value of the physical gifts, and the mentioned financial support, the wedding itself really didn't cost my husband and I that much at all. (Disclaimer: I was never expecting a "cover your plate" wedding gift. I only shared for informational purposes).

I live in a MCOL suburban town and got married in a nearaby HCOL suburban town.

$94- wedding planner books

$12 bridal party cards

$1,000 venue deposit

$3,250 2nd venue deposit

$500 final venue deposit ($4,750 total)

$154 save the date cards

$590 DJ deposit

$1,089 final DJ deposit ($1,679 total. Paid for upgraded lighting)

$720 photographer deposit

$2,880 photography final deposit ($3,600 total)

$15 wax seal kit

$2,442 catering deposit

$7,020 final catering deposit ($9,462 total)

$503 ice & water delivery fee + alcohol pickup & delivery (water/ice/alc was BYO)

$728 bar & alcohol (we had a lot left over to take home)

$134 disposable bar & alcohol cups (this was also BYO)

$86 stamps

$65 bridal party meetup brunch

$158 wedding invitations

$299 wedding dress

$255 veil

$450 dress tailoring

$180 dress dry cleaning

$11 bridesmaid thank you cards

$300 officiant fee

$87 marriage license

$25 dance floor items

$16 cupcake tasting

$254 cupcakes

$44 seating chart supplies

$250 makeup deposit (mom & bride)

$208 final makeup deposit (mom & bride)

$85 makeup artist tip (mom & bride. $543 total)

$87 hair trial w/ tip

$270 wedding hair w/ tip (mom & bride)

$150 bachelorette party meals (this is all I paid for)

$240 bachelor party

$980 florals

$125 table setting decor

$12 venue decor- baskets

$5 "Reserved" seating signs

$350 grooms suit & shoes rental

$116 venue liability insurance

$320 wedding favors

TOTAL COST: ~$26,600