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 North Carolina brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Kelly Jarmon & Phillip Isley
June 20 | Fuquay-Varina | 125 guests
Their Budget: $21,680
Their Breakdown
site and catering $2,200 for the rental fee and $6,000 for food and drinks. "We had a 10 a.m. wedding followed by a brunch reception so we saved over $1,000 on the site charge." Highgrove Estate, Fuquay-Varina, (919) 552-6154
photography $4,150 for one photographer for seven hours, one album, an engagement session, thank-you notes, a portrait, a photo guestbook, a DVD slideshow and a CD. Logan Jarrard, Greensboro, LoganJarrard.com
ceremony officiant $250 for a justice of the peace. Chief Magistrate Gary Wills, Raleigh
wedding gown $1,500 for an A-line gown with a semi-cathedral train. Maggie Sottero, Bridal Boutique of Raleigh, Raleigh, (919) 828-0490
alterations $65 to add a bustle and cups. Olga Samarskaya Alterations, Cary, (919) 462-9472
hair and makeup $610 for Kelly and her three bridesmaids, including Kelly's look for bridal portraits two weeks before the wedding. Jennifer Coley, Raleigh, LovelyBrides.com
veil $10. "I bought it from a Knottie."
shoes $90. Nina, Zappos.com
wedding rings $840 for Kelly's band and $175 for Phillip's. Jordan's Jewelry Design, Garner, (919) 773-8940/TungstenWorld.com
jewelry $85 for Kelly's bracelet. "I found a seller on Etsy with similar pieces to a designer bracelet that I wanted." Etsy.com
bridal party gifts $550 for monogrammed tote bags, beach towels, candles, and necklaces for the bridesmaids and monogrammed decanters with liquor for the groomsmen.
groom's formalwear $225 for a suit and TheTieBar.com
stationery $500 for DIY invitations and $345 for DIY programs. CardsAndPockets.com/ Kinko's, Cary, (919) 462-9660
flowers $2,335 for seven bouquets, a pomander, a flower girl halo, two corsages, 11 boutonnieres, petals, a wreath and 14 arrangements. Flowers on Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina, (919) 557-3410
rental equipment $400 for linens. CE Rental, Raleigh, (919) 833-9743
ceremony and reception music $850 for a DJ for the entire celebration. All the Right Grooves, Charlotte, (704) 549-9951
wedding cake $0. "My mom is a former pastry chef so she made it."
other desserts $350 for a groom's cake shaped like a laptop sitting on a stack of books. Swank Cake Design, Cary, (919) 467-3588
accommodations $150 for a standard suite. La Quinta Inn & Suites, Cary, (919) 851-2850
Reida Lawrence & Brandon Woodward
August 31 | charlotte | 100 guests
Their Budget: $17,064
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $800. "My husband and I met in college so I wanted to get married on a campus, even if it wasn't the one where we met." Belk Chapel, Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, (704) 337-2560
reception site $6,000. They got married on a Sunday and got discounts on their site fees.
Pewter Rose Bistro, Charlotte, (704) 332-8149
photography $3,500 for two shooters for ten hours, an album, an engagement session, a DVD and some prints. Cheyenne Schultz Photography, Charlotte, CheyenneSchultz.com
wedding consultant $300 for a day-of coordinator. "She's a friend so she gave us a discount."
wedding gown $650 for a strapless, ivory dress. Allure Bridals, Bedazzled Bridal & Formal, Gastonia, (704) 865-3492
alterations $220 to add a bustle, redo the corset and take it in. Olga Samarskaya Alterations, Cary, (919) 462-9472
hair $150. "They did my entire bridal party for this amount because they're family friends." Total Transformations, Charlotte, (704) 568-1799
veil $90. WeddingVeil.com
hair accessories $26 for a headband. WhiteAisle.com
shoes $59. Touch Ups, Endless.com
wedding rings $1,443 for hers and $617 for his. Diamonds Direct SouthPark, Charlotte, (704) 532-9041
jewelry $64. 1928.com
bridal party gifts $300 for wristlets for the bridesmaids and $100 for discounted cigars, flasks and pins for the groomsmen from a friend's company. Coach.com
stationery $250 for invitations and $90 for programs. AlaunByDesign.com
sign-in book $20. Michaels.com
flowers $1,000 for six bouquets, three arrangements, seven boutonnieres, three corsages, and rose petals and $500 for table centerpieces and buffet decor arranged by a bridesmaid. Party Blooms, Charlotte, (704) 957-0884
ceremony music $200 for a pianist. Christina Beekman, Charlotte, (704) 621-0041
reception music $0. "My husband, DJ Flying B, did the music with the help of a friend."
wedding cake $400 for a four-tiered cake with butter-cream frosting. Brenda's Cake Gallery, Belmont, (704) 825-2253
transportation $75 for a town car. ExecLimosNC.com
hotel room $300 for two standard rooms for the night before the wedding and a king room for the wedding night. Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark, Charlotte, (704) 501-2510
Melissa Geraghty & Shawn Lydon
October 4 | charlotte |I 75 guests
Their Budget: $9,596
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $50 for the park permit. Freedom Park, Charlotte, (704) 353-1246
reception site $520. "The building has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the park and a fountain." Mahlon Adams Pavilion, Freedom Park, Charlotte, (704) 353-1246
photography $995 for six hours, three locations and a DVD. Andress Photography, Charlotte, AndressPhotography.com
consultant $800 for a day-of coordinator. Laura Massie, Head Over Heels Event Planning & Decor, Charlotte, (704) 840-7549
officiant $400. Reverend Rebecca A. Nagy, Charlotte, (704) 588-4623
wedding gown and alterations $795 for a silk, strapless A-line dress and $175 to bring up the hem and add a bustle. Sottero and Midgely, Poffie Girls, Gastonia, (704) 866-0198
hair and makeup $285 for the bride and maid of honor. Jessica Dunn, La Bella Hair and Makeup, Greenville and Charlotte, (864) 844-4083
veil $82. OccanseyDesigns.com
shoes $60. Zappos.com
wedding rings $550 for his band. Diamonds Direct SouthPark, Charlotte, (704) 532-9041
bridal party gifts $230. DavidsBridal.com/Sephora.com/NFL.com
groom's formalwear $280 for Shawn's tan silk suit and tie. Men's Wearhouse, Charlotte, (704) 556-1014
stationery $125 for save-the-dates, $75 for DIY invitations and $20 for escort cards. Polka Dots Stationery, Fort Mill, SC, (803) 548-3888/ Target.com/HobbyLobby.com
sign-in book $50. GuestbookStore.com
flowers $153 for two bouquets and two boutonnieres and $75 for potted mums. Angel Accents, Lostant, IL, (309) 750-1116/Lee's Nursery, Rock Hill, SC, (803) 329-4392
rental Equipment $925 for table linens, a cake table, cocktail tables and 80 chairs. Party Reflections, Charlotte, (704) 332-8176
catering $1,100 for a traditional southern dinner, $300 for drinks and $0 for a Bellini bar put together by a friend. Lola's, Charlotte, (704) 335-1234/FrugalMacDoogal.net
ceremony music $125 for a violinist. Violin by Christine, Charlotte, (803) 802-1930
reception music $575 for a DJ. All the Right Grooves, (704) 549-9951
wedding cake $676 for a three-tiered cake. Edible Art, Charlotte, (704) 342-2253
-- Katerina Gkionis