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 Missouri and Kansas brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Jaime Fortier & Gib Jones
April 25 | St. Louis, MO | 225 guests
Their Budget: $33,997
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $900,including a pianist and singer. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO, (314) 231-9923
accessories/décor $205 for a ring pillow, unity candle and reception-table vases. Old Time Pottery, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 398-0165
reception site $17,050 including passed hors d'oeuvres, bar service, rental equipment, and meals. Sheraton St. Louis City Center, St. Louis, MO, (314) 613-6435
wedding photography $2,800 for two shooters for 10 hours, an engagement session on DVD, and rights to the prints, rehearsal coverage and an album. Sarah McDermott, SJMacky Photography, Imperial, MO, SJMackyPhotography.com
ceremony officiant $419. Fr. William Rowe, St. Mary's Parish, Mt. Carmel, IL, (618) 262-5337
wedding gown $950. Maggie Sottero, Blushing Bride, Shiloh, IL, (618) 628-7800
alterations $198 to add a hem, bustle and straps. Willard's Tailor Shop & Formal Wear, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 632-6200
hair $60. Cassablanca Hair & Skin Care, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 632-2231
makeup $25, including a facial. Merle Norman, Shiloh, IL, (618) 234-0100
veil $25 for a DIY one. HancockFabrics.com
wedding rings and jewelry $5,025. They also bought earrings and a Movado watch. The Diamond Shop, St. Louis, MO, (314) 721-2210
bridal party gifts $935 for bridesmaid kits, personalized bags, and money toward day-of hair for the girls, and cuff links and watch boxes for the guys. Walmart.com; Weddings.com; GardenRidge.com; LNT.com
formalwear $0 with the other rentals. Ralph Lauren, Savvi Formalwear, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 632-8415
stationery $930 for invitations, $113 for place cards and holders and $110 for programs. Archivers, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 398-6235
guest book $7 on clearance. Walmart.com
flowers $1,475 for nine bouquets, two flower girl baskets, seven corsages, boutonnieres, an altar piece, 30 arrangements for the reception tables and petals for the reception site. Walter Knoll Florist, St. Louis, MO, (314) 352-7575
reception Music $525 for a DJ. STL DJ Entertainment, Godfrey, IL, (888) 271-0866
wedding cake $821 for three cakes. The couple got a discount because the baker is a family friend Susan Vadnal, Designs to Remember, Troy, IL
favors $400 for a donation and cards. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes.org
transportation $788 for a limo bus. Tropiano Transportation, St. Louis, MO, (618) 277-5466
Natalie Krah & Ryan Beile
December 20 | St. Louis, MO | 225 guests
Their Budget: $25,824
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $500. The Jewel Box, St. Louis, MO, (314) 289-5389
ceremony accessories $40 for a ring pillow.
reception site $13,421 including catering. "We cut costs by displaying appetizers instead of having servers pass them out." Millennium Hotel, St. Louis, MO, (314) 241-9500
wedding photography $1,575 for two shooters for 13 hours, an engagement session, 3,500 proofs, two albums, a large print and a sign-in board. Bernie Elking, St. Louis, MO, BernieElking.com
videography $1,600 for two shooters for 12 hours and four videos. Thunderstorm Multimedia, Granite City, IL, (618) 304-0677
wedding consultant $800 for 12 hours, including an assistant for four hours. Sabrina Torti, Proposing Dreams, St. Louis, MO, (888) 781-9321
ceremony officiant $0. A friend officiated.
wedding gown $1,600 with alterations. Demetrios, Brides by Demetrios, St. Louis, MO, (314) 721-7400
hair $0. The bride's coworker did it. Identity Salon and Spa, St. Louis, MO, (314) 892-3636
makeup $100, including a free trial. MAC, St. Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO, (314) 721-8812
shoes $60. Dyeables, BestBridalPrices.com
wedding rings $1,000 for Natalie's micro pave bands and $350 for Ryan's white-gold one. Adler's Jewelers, St. Louis, MO, (314) 962-8234
formalwear $0 with guys' rentals. Savvi Formalwear, St. Louis, MO, (314) 725-2150
bridal party gifts $700 for boleros, purses, bracelets, and dolls for the girls and duffle bags and scarves for the guys. MegaFauxFurs.com; WeddingShop.TheKnot.com; OldNavy.com; BenFranklinStores.com; JCPenney.com
stationery $250 for invitations, $123 for DIY snowball place card holders and $17 for DIY menu cards. The Wedding Store of St. Louis, St Louis, MO, (866) 544-8265; Hungates.com; Michaels.com; JoAnn.com
flowers $1,100 for cake décor, nine bouquets, eight corsages, 13 boutonnieres, unity candle greenery, and 23 centerpieces. Olig's II, Hillsboro, MO, (636) 797-2622
rental equipment $134 for napkins and sashes for the cocktail area bar tables. Weinhardt Party Rentals, Des Peres, MO, (314) 822-9000
ceremony and cocktail hour music $625. Serenade Strings, St. Louis, MO, (314) 614-3729
reception music $650 for a DJ. Rockstar DJs, St. Louis, MO, (314) 518-2407
wedding cake $503 because they paid in full upfront. McArthur's Bakery, St. Louis, MO, (314) 894-0900
transportation $676 for a 24-passenger limo bus. Best Transportation of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, (314) 989-1500
Kyla Reed & Jeremy Booth
May 9 | Overland Park, KS | 215 guests
Their Budget: $17,885
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $250 including a planner and a sound guy. Grace Church, Overland Park, KS, (913) 814-7223
ceremony accessories $519 for ceremony decor and supplies for a sand ceremony.
reception site $1,790 including tables, chairs, and use of the kitchen. The Lodge at Ironwoods, Leawood, KS, (913) 339-6700 x201
wedding photography $700 for seven hours and all rights. Ashley Southard, Ashley's Work of Heart, Springfield, MO, (417) 689-3652
videography $0 because a family friend filmed. Beth Neely, Olathe, KS
consultant $2,352, including linens and a sweetheart table. Kim Ho, You're Invited, Lenexa, KS, (913) 208-5387
wedding gown $747. "A little over budget, but I knew it was the one I wanted." Allure, Bridal Extraordinaire, Shawnee, KS, (913) 268-5566
alterations $230 for a hem. Bridal Design and More, Shawnee, KS, (913) 268-4545
hair and makeup $1,025 for 11 women. Mink Artistry, Kansas City, MO, (816) 682-0737
shoes $60 for satin sandals. Alberta, Mia's Bridal & Tailoring, Olathe, KS, (913) 764-9114
wedding rings $2,483. House of Diamonds, Overland Park, KS, (913) 469-0111
bridal party gifts $500 for flip-flops for the bridesmaids (the bride also paid for their hair and makeup), and money clips, flasks and BestBuy gift cards for the groomsmen.
formalwear $140 for a tux and accessories. Men's Wearhouse, Olathe, KS, (913) 397-8455
stationery $130 for invites and programs assembled at home. EnvelopeMall.com
sign-in book $34. Kodak.com
flowers $1,142 for seven bouquets, roses for the mothers, a cake topper, 10 corsages, a flower girl halo, 14 boutonnieres and 21 centerpieces. Botanica, Prairie Village, KS, (913) 208-8956
rental equipment $500. Kim Ho, You're Invited, Lenexa, KS, (913) 208-5387
catering $4,000 for a buffet. Above & Beyond Catering, North Kansas City, MO, (816) 221-1010
reception music $400 for a family friend to DJ. John Cissell, Lenexa, KS, (913) 484-8755
wedding cake $679 for a cake with ganache frosting. Creative Cakes, Stillwell, KS, (913) 897-2618
favors $200 for boxes stuffed with candy.
transportation $402 for a trolley and a town car. Crossroad Tours, Olathe, KS, (913) 829-6644; Pech Limousine, Kansas City, MO, (816) 756-3100
hotel room $100 for a standard suite. Hyatt Place, Overland Park, KS, (913) 451-2553
-- Meredith Bodgas