It sounds easy—10 percent to flowers, 50 percent to catering—but let’s be real: There’s no way you can plan each purchase down to the last cent! Here’s what three Boston brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Efstathia Tsialiamanis & Eleftherios Plevrakis
September 6 | Wenham | 200 guests
Their Budget: $56,085
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $0 because the groom is a seminarian at the school there. Holy Cross Chapel, Brookline, (617) 731-3500
reception site $29,000 including catering. Private estate in Wenham
photography $2,900 for two photographers for 10 hours. Hitched Studios, Boston, HitchedStudios.com
videography $3,500 for eight hours of coverage with two videographers at the ceremony and one at the reception. S.H. Videography, Peabody, (978) 531-7236
consultant $4,000 for the unlimited package. The Social Butterfly, Peabody, (978) 210-6855
gown $880. "I saw a picture of it in a magazine, and a store that carried it was having a 20-percent-off sale!" Eden Bridals, Bridals by Valerie, Reading, (781) 942-2525
alterations $800 for extra fabric and $300 for alterations. "I wanted a bolero with long sleeves and a long train." Bridals by Valerie, Reading, (781) 942-2525
hair $200 Giacomo & Rondi Salon, Boston, (617) 437-1313
makeup $150, including the trial. Done by an acquaintance of the bride
veil $249 for a fingertip-length veil with flowers on the border. Bridals by Valerie, Reading,(781) 942-2525
shoes $250. "I bought four pairs! Of course, three are getting returned." MyGlassSlipper.com/Zappos.com! "See the difference our personal service makes!"
wedding rings $0. "It’s a Greek tradition for the groom's family to buy the wedding bands."
groom’s formalwear $400 for custom Cretan attire, including boots!
stationery $1,500. PaperStyle.com
flowers $2,316 for the bride’s bouquet, 45 centerpieces, four floral poles and two wreaths. The Social Butterfly, Peabody, (978) 210-6855
rental equipment $550 for crinkle taffeta linens for the cocktail hour, and $640 for crocheted linens for the reception tables.
cocktail hour music $100 for a gift for a friend who DJed.
reception music $4,900 for a 7-piece band. Mousiko Xefantoma, (617) 407-0626
other entertainment $600 for a clarinet player.
wedding cake $450 for a cake with vintage-style decorations. Party Favors, Brookline, (617) 566-3330
favors $2,000 for traditional Greek favors hand-painted in Greece.
transportation $400 for a limo. Michael’s Limousine Co Inc., Peabody, (978) 532-8488
Andrea Lucas & Lee Guidetti
August 29 | Framingham | 150 guests
Their Budget: $39,401
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $650,including singers. Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Newton, (617) 527-7560
reception site $0 for the bride’s parents’ house, "But the rentals added up!"
photography and videography $7,600 for two photographers and videographers, an album, a website trailer video and two DVDs. A Dream Picture, Canton, ADreamPicture.com
consultant $1,500. Heather Minicucci, Simply Inviting Weddings, Braintree, (781) 910-7232
officiant $300. Rev. John Sassani, Newton, (617) 527-7560
gown $1,175, including hemming it. Mori Lee, La Sposa Bridal, Newton, (617) 964-6533
hair and makeup $100 for an updo/$150 for the bride’s and maid of honor’s makeup. Ten Spa, West Roxbury, (617) 325-0030/Andrea Cortez, Boston area, (617) 901-5024
wedding rings $1,472 for both. Jared.com/Leiberfarb, DeScenza Diamonds, Framingham,(508) 620-0090
accessories $150 for earrings and a bracelet, $30 for shoes, and $138 for a veil. Nordstrom Crystal Collection, Nordstrom, Natick Collection, Natick, (508) 318-2600/Gabriella Rocha, 6PM.com/Shoes to Dye For, Natick, (508) 653-6063
bridal party gifts $1,200 for flip-flops and jewelry for the girls and DVD players for the guys. Amazon.com/Walmart.com
formalwear $163 for Lee’s tux. Men’s Wearhouse, Framingham, (508) 370-4000
stationery $622 for invitations, $50 for escort cards and $250 for programs. Checkerboard, West Boylston, (800) 735-2475
flowers $2,024 for ceremony décor, seven bouquets, orchids for the bridesmaids’ and bride’s hair, 10 boutonnieres, five corsages, 14 centerpieces and cake flowers. Flourish & Ferns, North Reading, (978) 404-9904
rental equipment $9,850 for chairs, tables, linens, tableware, two tents, flooring, tent decor, and bathrooms. Festive Occasions, Woburn, (781) 933-8777/The Event Company, Gloucester, (978) 283-4884/ElizaJ, Harwich, (800) 437-1139
catering $8,400 for an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet and an ice cream bar. Woodland Catering, WoodlandCatering.com
reception music $600 for a jazz trio/$300 for a DJ. Jazz in the Air, North Reading, (978) 898-4975/ Dave Gordon, Grafton, deejay20@gmail.com
wedding cake $747 for a four-tiered cake. Sweet Tooth, South Boston, (617) 268-2555
favors $500 for candy. CandyWarehouse.com
transportation $1,050 for a 14-passenger limo, a standard limo, and a town car. Lynette’s Limousine Service, Wilmington, (781) 938-0014
hotel room $350 for a suite. Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Cambridge, (617) 492-1234
Sara Butler & Paul LeBlanc Jr.
June 20 | Assonet | 160 guests
Their Budget: $27,735
Their Breakdown
site $1,500 for the ceremony, $13,000 for the reception, including rental equipment, beer and wine, six passed appetizers, a cheese, cracker, fruit and veggie buffet, dinner and ice cream. Independence Harbor, Assonet, (508) 644-2225
photography $2,700 for two shooters for eight hours and three albums. Pentimalli Studios, Lexington, PentimalliStudios.com
officiant $200. "He got great recommendations on TheKnot.com Boston board." Tom Welch, Weymouth, (781) 335-1049
gown $250. "At the Running of the Brides, the girls are mean, and the mothers of the bride are worse. Luckily, I got a great dress." Mori Lee, Filene’s Basement, Boston, (617) 424-5520
alterations $100, including a hem, a bustle and having the top taken in. Chris O’Hare, Quincy, (617) 471-7366
hair $150." Jacki Norrie, Wedding Tresses, Plympton, (781) 585-0600
makeup $60. "Because I had at least three people, she came to us—and we got a better price." Sam Christensen, Girly Junk, Norwell, (781) 659-4424
veil $60. "I bought it used from another Boston Knottie."
hair accessories $85 for a Swarovski crystal piece. Q.G. Designs, QGDesigns.Etsy.com
shoes $75 for kitten-heel, closed-toe shoes. Pink by Paradox London, ShoestoDyeFor.com
wedding rings $1,600 for custom bands. Hannoush Jewelers, Leominster, (978) 840-6939
other jewelry $90 for a bracelet. Belle Nouvelle Designs, BelleNouvelleDesigns.Etsy.com
bridal party gifts $335 for two watches, a Coach wristlet, Pandora bracelet beads and a $100 restaurant gift certificate. Seiko The Company Store, Wrentham, (508) 384-6583/eBay.com/ElisaIlana.com/Bistro 5, West Medford, (781) 395-7464
groom’s formalwear $160 including a suit, shirt, tie, vest, cuff links and shoes. Jim’s FormalWear, Formal Attire, Leominster, (978) 537-4906
stationery $600 for DIY invitations and $20 for DIY escort cards. Paper Source, Brookline,(617) 264-2800/EnvelopperInc.com
flowers $2,500 for six bouquets, nine boutonnieres, two corsages and 17 centerpieces. B&G Sawin Florist, Allston, (617) 254-4454
reception music $1,200 for a DJ. DJ Ray Richard, Leominster, (978) 537-7450
wedding cake $800 for a three-tiered cake wrapped in dogwood branches. The Icing on the Cake, Newton, (617) 969-1830
favors $250 for homemade chocolate truffles.
hotel room $2,000. "We rented a beach house for the weekend."
-- Alison Goldman