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 Pennsylvania brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Kristen Seese & Paul Merrell
April 11 | Philadelphia | 110 guests
Their Budget: $53,469
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $1,000. Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, (215) 563-3763
ceremony accessories $235 for flower girl baskets, ring pillows, unity candles, and decor.
reception site $18,000, including catering. Knowlton Mansion, Philadelphia, (215) 722-8082
photography $6,450 for two shooters for nine hours, a print credit and an engagement shoot. DollFace Studio, Philadelphia, DollFaceStudio.com
videography $2,591 for eight hours, one edited film, one DVD of the ceremony, and one DVD of reception highlights. Well Spun Wedding Films, Maple Glen, (877) 979-3456
wedding consultant $1,050. Christina Hill, chill Weddings, Philadelphia, (215) 586-0209
ceremony officiant $250. Rev. Paul Rhebergen, Hopewell, NJ, (609) 466-0092
wedding gown $3,974 and $260 for it to be taken in. Bridals by Danielle, Philadelphia, (215) 670-9500/Nilah & Company, Drexel Hill, (610) 853-9822
hair and makeup $275 for hair and $100 for makeup with trials. Catarina's Hair Designs, Lansdale, (215) 361-8680/Cindy Singer, Dylan Michael Cosmetics, LLC, Jenkintown, (215) 886-0022
accessories $20 for a gardenia, $75 for a veil, $70 for shoes, and $53 for jewelry. Bridals by Sandra, Nazareth, (610) 759-5156/DKDesignsHawaii. Etsy.com/Johnathan Kayne for Benjamin Walk, Amazon.com/EricaBapst.Etsy.com
wedding rings $1,950. Helzberg Diamonds, North Wales, (215) 361-3457
bridal party gifts $400 for photo albums, shawls, jewelry, puzzles, and toys. Michaels.com/PuzzleMaster.ca/ToysRUs.com
formalwear $0 with the groomsmen rentals. Men's Wearhouse, North Wales, (215) 393-3855
stationery $2,450 for invites/$240 for escort cards and a sign-in canvas/$50 for programs LeapFrogPaper.com/Michaels.com/Kinkos.com
flowers $4,411 for nine bouquets, floral crowns, four corsages, 18 boutonnieres, and 13 arrangements/$770 for extra décor. Carl Alan Floral Design, LTD., Philadelphia, (215) 246-0171/ Michaels.com/HomeDepot.com
music $655 for a pianist and strings and $5,850 for a seven-piece hybrid DJ/band. Siena Strings, Philadelphia, (215) 355-7421/EBE Events & Entertainment, Philadelphia, (888) 323-2263
favors $350 for a DIY candy buffet and party giveaways. Michaels.com/PartyCity.com
transportation $1,600 for a trolley, sedan, and limo. Bucks County Trolley Co., Upper Black Eddy, (610) 982-5200/Crystal Limousine Inc., Philadelphia, (215) 492-5707/Eleganté Limousine Service, Broomall, (610) 622-2299
hotel room $340 for a suite. Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, (215) 627-1200
Elizabeth Brahim & Ryan Kasun
October 18 | Pittsburgh | 195 guests
Their Budget: $46,249
Their Breakdown
ceremony site: $600, including an officiant and organist. Church of the Immaculate Conception, Irwin, (724) 863-9550
ceremony accessories $150 for a ring pillow, ribbon, and bell shakers for the church exit.
reception site $24,134, including the bar and catering. Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory, Pittsburgh, (412) 323-9394
photography and videography $2,599 for eight hours of photography, five hours of videography, one album, one DVD, and a disc with all of the photos. Lost in This Moment, Pittsburgh, LostinThisMoment.com
consultant $900 for day-of help. Sharon Coben, Pittsburgh, (412) 726-9877
wedding gowns $1,300 for two dresses ("and they still cost less than one designer gown!"), $300 for undergarments and $530 for alterations. Oleg Cassini, David's Bridal, Pittsburgh, (412) 787-2900
hair $120 including a trial. Venetian Aveda Salon & Spa, Homestead, (412) 464-7200
accessories $180 for a two-tiered veil with pearl clusters and a scalloped edge, $150 for a tiara and $80 for embellished with brooches. David's Bridal, Pittsburgh, (412) 787-2900
wedding rings $1,300 for custom bands, a discount because the designer is a friend. Bob Currens, Murrysville, (412) 977-9814
bridal party gifts $1,443 for mani/pedis, duffel bags, bath and body products, jewelry and flip-flops for the bridesmaids, toys for the child attendants and pilsner glasses and cigars for the groomsmen.
formal wear $0 with the other rentals. Top Hat Tuxedo, Fox Chapel, (412) 782-2450
stationery $600 for invitations/$175 for programs/$75 for escort cards/$45 for menu cards. Michaels.com/Mpix.com/Kinkos.com
flowers $1,450 for twelve bouquets, two pomanders, three corsages, four boutonnieres, and centerpiece flowers. Rosebud Floral and Giftware, Murrysville, (724) 327-6944
reception decor $1,300 for centerpieces. "We saved money by buying candelabras on clearance, spray-painting and stringing crystals on them and placing votives around the base." Michaels.com/Walmart.com/Lowes.com
rental equipment: $1,043. Pittsburgh Chair Covers, Pittsburgh, (412) 559-1725
reception music $4,600 for a pianist and a band. Sputzy and the Soul Providers, Entertainment Unlimited, Pittsburgh, (412) 343-7700
wedding cake $1,200. Fenoglietto's Ultimate Wedding Cakes, Lower Burrell, (724) 335-5359
transportation $1,075 for a limo bus. TDF Limousine, Oakmont, (412) 606-9549
hotel room $900 for two suites for one night and three suites for two nights. The Priory Hotel, Pittsburgh, (412) 231-3338
Jennifer McGlone & Luke Diers
October 18 | Spring House | 184 guests
Their Budget: $29,863
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $200, including a pianist. Lighthouse Fellowship United Methodist Church, Glenside, (215) 884-5251
decor $29 for altar flowers and $106 for red and amber votives at the reception. Cudge.net.
reception site $14,301 including catering, open bar, cake, and centerpieces. Old York Road Country Club, Spring House, (215) 643-0180
photography $4,808 for two shooters for 10 hours, all proofs and one album. Chris Hensel Wedding Photography, Media, WPJPhoto.com
videography $2,600 for two shooters for eight hours, three DVDs of edited footage, and six DVDs of raw footage. Blossom Productions, Philadelphia, (610) 299-0396
wedding gown $1,196 and $128 for a bustle and cups. Mon Cheri Bridals, The Country Bride and Gent, West Point, (215) 699-1480
hair and makeup $100 with the stylist's travel/$50 including a makeup trial. Meghan Cahill, Philadelphia, (215) 676-2803/Dylan Michael Cosmetics, LLC, Jenkintown, (215) 886-0022
accessories $92 for a regal-length veil, $90 for a hair comb and $20 for shoes. VeilShop.com/HairComestheBride.com/AnnTaylor.com
wedding rings $1,530. Steven Singer Jewelers, Philadelphia, (215) 627-3242
jewelry $99 for a pearl bracelet and earrings. NaHoku.com/Macys.com
bridal party gifts $469 for jewelry and flip-flops for the girls and beer buckets and pilsner glasses for the groomsmen.
formalwear $0 with the groomsmen rentals. Ralph Lauren, The Country Bride and Gent, West Point, (215) 699-1480
stationery $413 for invites and stamps/$114 for DIY programs/$87 for DIY escort cards. AlaunbyDesign.com/PaperandMore.com/Paper-Source.com/CIStamps.com
sign-in book $58. MyPublisher.com
flowers $838 for eight bouquets, six corsages, and 13 boutonnieres. Virginia L. Tietjens, Palm, (610) 967-4070
reception music $700 for a DJ for five hours. DJ's Available, Moorestown, NJ, (215) 288-3320
dance lessons $360 for private lessons. Diana Mitchell, Willow Grove, (610) 413-3760
favors $56 for Hershey's Kisses. Target.com/DollarTree.com/Walmart.com
transportation $1,300 for a limo bus and a school bus. All Over Town Limousine & Formal Wear, Blackwood, NJ, (856) 939-5691/YellowBird Bus Company Inc., Philadelphia, (215) 289-1022
hotel room $119 for a suite. Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Montgomeryville, North Wales, (215) 699-7247
-- Alison Goldman