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 Texas brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Katie Manship & Daniel Terrazas
January 17 | San Antonio | 200 guests
Their Budget: $35,991
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $1,525 including a singer, organist, officiant, and donation. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, (210) 828-6425
reception site $4,500. McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, (210) 805-1782
photography $2,500 for two photographers and all proofs and images on disc. Marcus Revilla Photography, San Antonio, MarcusRevilla.com
videography $1,000 for one shooter for seven hours and four edited DVDs. John Atiee, Citi-Video, San Antonio, (210) 496-1155
wedding consultant $1,500 for six weeks. Diamonds & Dreams Wedding Consultants, San Antonio, (210) 744-4686
wedding gown $2,100. Paloma Blanca, Serendipity Bridal, Austin, (512) 374-9492
shoes $50. DSW, San Antonio, (210) 497-5670
hair $45 for a classic bun with curls. Olga Mendoza, Shear Envy, Universal City, (210) 945-7100
makeup $75. Dara Carney, San Antonio, (210) 218-6246
wedding Rings $1,000 for Katie's band/$60 for Daniel's. Stone Oak Jewelers, San Antonio, (210) 403-3900/James Avery Jewelry, San Antonio, (210) 764-2662
other Jewelry $150 for a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace. Carolee, Dillard's Department Store, San Antonio, (210) 651-5033
groom's formalwear $35 for Daniel's shoes. His tux was free with the groomsmen's rentals. Ralph Lauren, Al's Formal Wear, San Antonio, (210) 491-0202
stationery $1,200 for invitations/$100 for DIY programs and place and menu cards. Moon Mippy Stationery & Gifts, San Antonio, (210) 495-9100/Michaels.com
bridal party gifts $250 for bags with flip-flops, stationery, and koozies. Moon Mippy Stationer y & Gifts, San Antonio, (210) 495-9100
flowers $2,850 for six pew markers, nine bouquets, 10 corsages, 12 boutonnieres, 30 arrangements, one wishing tree, flowers for the bride's hair and a cake topper. HEB Bloom, San Antonio, (210) 492-4837
guest Book $50 for a monogrammed photo album. Michaels.com
catering $10,500 for hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and a two-course seated dinner. Absolutely Delicious Catering, San Antonio, (210) 342-2321
rental equipment $3,060 for linens, lighting, tables, and chairs. John Kerney, BP Lighting, San Antonio, (210) 521-8921/Touch of Elegance Co., New Braunfels, (830) 620 7018/Absolute Rentals, San Antonio, (210) 696-5376
reception Music $495 for a DJ. Cutting Edge Entertainment, San Antonio, (210) 495-3900
dance Lessons $750. Fred Astaire Dance Studio, San Antonio, (210) 490-3733
wedding cakes $800 for bride's; $325 for groom's. Cakes by Cathy Young, San Antonio, (210) 493-8466/ Elm's Bakery, San Antonio, (210) 479-0700
favors $300 for a candy bar. NutsOnline.com/Michaels.com/Moon Mippy Stationery & Gifts, San Antonio, (210) 495-9100
transportation $150 for a limo. Luxury Limousine, San Antonio, (210) 495-3900
hotel Room $346 for two nights in a suite. Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, (210) 229-9222
Tiffany Guidry & Brian Grimal
July 12 | Katy | 92 guests
Their Budget: $24,315
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $1,000 including an officiant and a consultant, a rehearsal, set-up, and takedown and organization of the bridal party. Holy Covenant United Methodist, Katy, (281) 579-1200
reception Site $8,816 including rentals, catering and a consultant. "We limited our guest list to 100 people to keep costs low." Willow Fork Country Club, Katy, (281) 579-6262
photography $4,344 for eight hours with two photographers, an engagement session, a coffee table photo album, all high resolution digital images and a $300 print credit. Ashley K Photography, Cypress, AshleyKPhotography.com
videography $0 -- a gift to the couple from their friend who owns the company. Blue Star Video, Houston, (281) 330-9310
wedding gown $980. "The dress looked amazing and made me feel like a bride." Mori Lee, Weddings by Debbie, Houston, (281) 531-6255
alterations $300, including adding cups and a bustle, taking up the hemline, taking in the top, and letting out material around the zipper. Katy Custom Bridal, Katy, (281) 574-1566
makeup $250 including a trial. "The makeup was definitely a splurge, but it was nice to be pampered, and it stayed on all night." Macarena Makeup, Houston, (713) 253-4747
veil $128. "It was still more than I wanted to spend, but it was a lot less than the bridal salons were asking for the same quality veil." JL Johnson, HouseofBrides.com
shoes $53 for satin dyeable shoes with square, rhinestone buckles. Coloriffics, ShoeBuy.com
wedding Rings $3,100 for Tiffany's white-gold band and Brian's platinum. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Houston, (713) 647-0934
other jewelry $44 for a necklace and a pair of earrings. Kohl's, Katy, (281) 599-3050
groom's formalwear $174 for a tux rental. Lubiam Cortina, Al's Formal Wear, AlsFormalWear.com
bridal party gifts $911 for robes, gift cards, picture frames, slippers, purses, bath products, and a clock. Victoria's Secret, Houston Galleria, Houston, (713) 622-8007/Bath & Body Works, Katy, (281) 644-4333/Katy LifeWay Christian Store, Katy, (281) 829-2200/Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Katy, (281) 644-7656/Kenneth Cole Outlet Store, Katy, (281) 644-2088
flowers $2,041 for a bridal bouquet, three attendant bouquets, eight boutonnieres, one wristlet, 12 centerpieces, a sweetheart table centerpiece and flowers for the cake. Sarah's Florist, Houston, (281) 497-5533
sign-in board $72 for a board featuring one of the couple's engagement photos. eBay.com/ HobbyLobby.com
stationery $208 for DIY invitations, programs, escort cards, and menu cards. CardsandPockets.com/OfficeDepot.com
ceremony music $460 for a string trio. Avalon Music, Houston, (713) 529-2672
reception Music $450 for a DJ for four hours. DJs Unlimited, Houston, (713) 722-0911
wedding cakes $942 for a three-tiered wedding cake and a groom's cake designed as a replica of a garage with a Firebird in it. Julie's Cakes, Katy, (281) 261-8229
favors $0. "We boxed up extra cake for guests to take home."
Wendy Eckstrom & Clay Lacey
May 9 | Parker | 140 guests
Their Budget: $12,761
Their Breakdown
ceremony and reception site $6,949 including food, alcohol the couple brought in, centerpieces and linens a margarita machine, bartenders and a security guard. Swingin' D Ranch, Parker, (972) 221-0167
ceremony Decor and Accessories $69 for a ring pillow, a guest book and pen, a flower girl basket, rose petals and a program basket.
photography $800 for five hours, a disc with all digital images and all rights. Nicole Linscomb, Little Elm, (214) 850-9279
ceremony officiant $300. Rev. Ken Savage, LoveNotes, Richardson, (972) 647-9580
wedding rings $1,267 for custom-made bands. Nasr Brothers Jewelers, Rockwall, (972) 722-1616
wedding gown $432. "The dress felt right, looked right, and lucky for me, the price was right too!" David's Bridal, Dallas, (214) 360-0270
alterations $110 to bring up the hemline and take up the halter. Becky Fowler, Irving, (972) 986-8067
shoes $32. East 5th, JCPenney, Town East Mall, Mesquite, (972) 279-4100
makeup $75. "I told Tonya what my budget was and she worked within it." Tonya Canal, Mod Facade, Rockwall, (214) 771-3033
hair $128 including a trial updo. JCPenney, Town East Mall, Mesquite, (972) 279-4100, x277
veil $5. Hobby Lobby, Rockwall, (972) 772-5021
hair accessories $11 for a silver headpiece that matched the beading on the dress. Hobby Lobby, Rockwall, (972) 772-5021
groom's formalwear $216 for a suit coat. Men's Wearhouse, Mesquite, (972) 270-6393
wedding cake $250. A friend made the red velvet, lemon, and chocolate cakes.
bridal party gifts $442 for monogrammed duffel bags filled with lotions, nail files, room spray, and compacts for the girls, and military style duffel bags filled with tools and bottle openers for the guys. AmericanBridal.com/Bath & Body Works, Rockwall, (972) 722-8774/JCPenney, Town East Mall, Mesquite, (972) 279-4100/Beall's, Rockwall, (972) 722-3198/CountryComm.com/ Target, Rockwall, (972) 722-0894
favors $185 for small candy jars with heart seals on the lids, thank-you tags tied around the necks chocolate-covered almonds and gourmet jellybeans. Michael's, Rockwall, (972) 772-7930/ Party City, Mesquite, (972) 270-0200/Hobby Lobby, Rockwall, (972) 772-5021
stationery $57 for DIY invites and programs. Hobby Lobby, Rockwall, (972) 772-5021
flowers $88 for one bridal bouquet, four bridesmaid bouquets and flowers for the flower girl. Marisela Alcaraz, Sam's Club, Garland, (214) 221-3524
ceremony and Reception Music $1,000 for a DJ. Michael Mohan, Dallas, (972) 317-2336
transportation $149 for a Lincoln Town Car for the couple. Premier Transportation, Dallas, (214) 351-7000
hotel Room $196 for a standard room, a bottle of wine and breakfast. Hilton Hotel, Rockwall, (214) 771-3700
-- Alison Goldman