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 Maryland and Virginia brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Tyler Alenier & Nicholas Grossi
March 7 | Bethesda, MD | 150 guests
Their Budget: $64,541
Their Breakdown
Ceremony and reception site $33,000, including dinner, cake, desserts, an open bar and hors d'oeuvres. Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, (301) 657-1234
Ceremony accessories $700 for an aisle runner, yarmulkes, Kiddush cups and a glass to stomp on. OriginalRunners.com/Michael Aram, Bloomingdales.com/SkullCap.com/ Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, DC, (202) 362-7100
Photography $5,750 for two shooters for eight hours and one album. Greg Gibson Photography, Manassas, VA, GregGibson.com, (703) 830-7676
Flowers $5,597 for five bouquets, 30 centerpieces, a huppah, seven boutonnieres, two corsages and flowers and ribbon for the cake. DaVinci's Florist, Silver Spring, MD, (301) 588-8900/ Custom Cake Design, Gaithersburg, MD, (301) 216-1100
Consultant $950, but t he fee varies depending on the wedding. Teresa Lee, Rex & Regina, LLC, Vienna, VA, (703) 473-4448
Officiant $250 for a donation. Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, DC, (202) 362-7100
Gown $3,600 for a silk-satin dress. Lazaro, P. Lawrence Bridals & Formals, Gaithersburg, MD, (301) 977-9729
Alterations $185. Estee Livioco, Montgomery Village, MD, (301) 869-5971
Hair $175, with a trial for Tyler and $65 for the maid of honor. Ashley Riddle, Up-Do's for I Do's, Catonsville, MD, (443) 878-4355, makeup $160, for Tyler and a bridesmaid. Nicole Palermo, Baltimore, MD, (410) 933-8608
Shoes $500. James Ciccotti Bridal Shoes & Accessories, Chicago, IL, (773) 525-4280
Wedding rings $3,750 for her band and $50 for his. A Jaffe, Charleston Alexander, Bethesda, MD, (301) 951-6200/eWeddingBands.com
Other jewelry $2,050. Diamonds by the Yard, Charleston Alexander, Bethesda, MD, (301) 951-6200/ Bloomingdales.com/ Midiya Jewelry and Repair Shop, Bethesda, MD, (301) 951-8895
Formalwear $0 with the groomsmen's rentals and $175 for cufflinks. Bethesda Custom Tailors, Bethesda, MD, (301) 656-2077
Bridal party gifts $1,115 for stationery, necklaces, pashminas, a bridesmaid dress, Lacoste shirts and golf balls.
Stationery $1,380 for invitations and $100 for programs and escort cards. Allison Barnhill Designs, Annapolis, MD, (443) 875-8512
Sign-in book $1,330. PartyBooths.com
Ceremony and cocktail hour music $540 for a string trio. St. Charles String Quartet, Waldorf, MD, (240) 416-3105
Reception music $900 for a DJ. MyDeejay.com, Inc., Columbia, MD, (888) 438-6935
Dance lessons $500. Arthur Murray, Columbia, MD, (410) 772-7880
Favors $900 for a candy buffet. Amazon.com/CandyWarehouse.com/ MetroCandy.com
Transportation $429. Awards Limousine Service, Inc., Bethesda, MD, (301) 656-9644
Accommodations $400 for a suite and two rooms for two nights. Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, (301) 657-1234
Kecia Reed & CJ Lettington
July 19 | Charlottesville, VA | 208 guests
Their Budget: $22,824
Their Breakdown
Ceremony site $350 for a donation, an officiant, an organist and a singer. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Palmyra, VA, (434) 589-5201
Ceremony accessories $10 for a program basket. Michaels.com
Reception site $2,960. "It was very reasonably priced compared to other local venues." University of Virginia Alumni Hall, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 243-2665
Photography $2,094 for one photographer for the day and all proofs and DVD of images. David Jones Photography, Charlottesville, VA, CharlottesvilleWeddingPhotos.com, (434) 989-3319
Flowers $1,977 for seven bouquets, four boutonnieres, three corsages, hair flowers and 25 centerpieces. Blue Ridge Floral Design, Afton, VA, (434) 361-9218
Gown $481 for a satin, A-line dress. "It was on sale!" David's Bridal, Hagerstown, MD, (301) 582-0183
Alterations $20. Lien's Dressmaking Alterations, Herndon, VA, (703) 904-9733
Hair and makeup $200 for a relative to do the bride's, bridesmaids' and mother of the groom's.
veil $75 for a DIY veil.
Shoes $58. Coloriffics, GlassSlipper.com
Wedding rings $875 for her band, $475 for his and $120 for a necklace. Fink's Jewelry, Dulles, VA, (571) 434-6540
Formalwear $120. MensWearhouse.com
Bridal party gifts $500 for personalized totes, Leatherman knives and Nalgene bottles. LLBean.com/DicksSportingGoods.com
Stationery $450 for invitations, including postage and inserts, $50 for DIY programs and $50 for DIY escort cards. TheAmericanWedding.com/Staples.com/Michaels.com
Sign-in book $10. Hallmark.com
Rental equipment $2,375 for linens, plates, silverware, glassware, high-top tables and chair covers. Festive Fare, Charlottesvile, VA, (434) 296-5496
Catering $5,500 for a buffet dinner, $200 for drinks, $327 for beer and $400 for wine. "We were able to return the unopened wine bottles." T he Shebeen Catering Outfit, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 296-3185/Sam's Club, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 978-2122/Beer Run, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 984-2337/Total Wine & More, Sterling, VA, (703) 433-0522
Cocktail hour and reception music $850 for a DJ and $20 for glow bracelets and necklaces. Rick Haggard Entertainment, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 960-2705/Party City, Chantilly, VA, (703) 263-9170
Cake $532 for a three-tiered cake and a sheet cake. Chandler's Bakery, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 975-2253
Favors $309 for mini jars of jam. Grave's Mountain Lodge, Syria, VA, (540) 923-4231
Transportation $936 for a party bus. Down Under Limousine, Richmond, VA, (804) 784-4024
Hotel room $500 for two standard rooms for two nights, one standard room for one night and a honeymoon room for one night. Cavalier Inn, Charlottesville, VA, (888) 882-2129/ Residence Inn Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 923-0300/Omni Hotel Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA, (434) 971-5500
Joan Remmert & Jonathan Gilbert
September 27 I Frederick, MD I 130 guests
Their Budget: $18,280
Their Breakdown
Ceremony site $1,000. Calvary United Methodist Church, Frederick, MD, (301) 662-1464
Reception site $10,000 including catering, an open bar and chair covers. Holly Hills Country Club, Ijamsville, MD, (301) 694-8322
Photography $1,200 for one photographer for the day and rights to all photos, a discounted package from a friend. Ferris Vanderveer, Brooklyn, NY, FerrisVanderveer.com
Flowers $400 for four bouquets, seven boutonnieres and four corsages. Zimmerman's Florist, Frederick, MD, (301) 663-3481
Consultant $0 for a friend to coordinate the day-of. Kelly Hoeltschi, Newburgh, NY, (845) 863-9721
Officiant $0. "My former youth group leader performed our ceremony."
Gown $1,500 for a San Patrick lace gown, $250 for a fingertip-length veil and $500 to alter the waist, bodice and hem. Bridals by Elena, Severna Park, MD, (410) 975-0076
Hair and makeup $150 for hair with a trial and $75 for makeup. New York, New York Salon & Spa, Frederick, MD, (301) 695-7777
Shoes $100 for white heels for the ceremony and red heels for the reception. Touch Ups, Zappos.com/Nine West, Macys.com
Wedding rings $900 for her band and $600 for his. Wholesale Diamond Consultants, Frederick, MD, (301) 695-8068
Other jewelry $40 for earrings. Carolee, Bloomingdales.com
Formalwear $100 to rent a tux, shirt, vest, tie and shoes. Calvin Klein, MensWearhouse.com
Bridal party gifts $480 for hair by a friend, engraved necklaces, personalized stationery, a bridesmaid's dress and gifts for the groomsmen. TIJC.com/VistaPrint.com/JCrew.com
Stationery $150 for discounted invitations from a friend, $70 for DIY programs and $5 for DIY escort cards. Sarah Seehafer, Lucy Limelight, Astoria, NY, (585) 478-0702/ VistaPrint.com
Sign-in book $100 for a Polaroid guestbook. MyGuestbookStore.com
Ceremony music $250. Zach Williams, Brooklyn, NY, ZachWilliams.com
Reception music $500 for a DJ. Joe Keller, Always a Reason DJ Service, Hagerstown, MD, (301) 573-2313
Cake $0. "My aunt bought a Rice Krispies Treat cake." Clustered Spires Pastry Shop, Frederick, MD, (301) 662-7446
Other Desserts $300. "We made candy centerpieces to save money on flowers." CandyWarehouse.com/Save-On-Crafts.com
Favors $60 for taffy in organza bags. Pony Tails, Chincoteague Island, VA, (757) 336-6688/ YourOrganzaBag.com
Transportation $300 for a limo for the bridal party and $0 for a 1950s Lincoln. "My mom asked a man on the street if he'd let us use his car -- he drove us for free!" A Touch Of Class Limos, Frederick, MD, (301) 698-2650
Accommodations $200 for a standard double room. Hilton Washington, Washington, DC, (202) 483-3000
-- Katerina Gkionis