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 Northern California brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Taylor Robertson & Andy Laveroni
July 25 | Tracy | 215 Guests
Their Budget: $67,800
Their Breakdown
Ceremony and reception site $0 for the bride's family's home.
Ceremony accessories $380 for a champagne sabre and fans for the guests. AsianIdeas.com
Photography $4,000 for an engagement shoot, rehearsal dinner coverage, eight hours of wedding day coverage and a photo album. Jake Odening, Mike Larson Inc., MikeLarson.com/jake
Consultant $4,000. Kristen Jensen, Sugar Rush Events, Bay Area, (925) 212-6904
Gown, alterations and accessories $5,350. Nouvelle Vogue, San Mateo, (650) 347-3444
Makeup $250. Cathryn Hewitt, Newark, (510) 673-4266
Shoes $400. Manolo Blahnik, Neiman Marcus, San Francisco, (415) 362-3900
Wedding rings $250 for Andy's tungsten band. Taylor didn't want one. Geoffrey's Jewelers, San Carlos, (650) 591-0301
Groom's formalwear $50. Men's Wearhouse, Pleasanton, (925) 463-3304
Bridal party gifts $1,680, including $100 toward each Nicole Miller bridesmaid dress, crystal-studded flip-flops and custom stationery. And Something Blue, San Francisco, (415) 409-0217/Bling Flops, Tracy, (209) 832-8825/ Farm Press, Tracy, (209) 832-8825
Stationery $2,500 for all stationery and custom champagne labels; $350 for chalkboard menus and a photo album sign-in book. Farm Press, Tracy, (209) 832-8825/Aaron Brothers, Modesto, (209) 545-9267
Flowers $4,000 for eight bouquets, seven boutonnieres, 15 centerpieces and a flower wall. The Flowerhouse, Livermore, (925) 960-1375
Rental equipment $9,000 for a dance floor, tables, chairs, dishes and flatware; $5,000 for lounge furniture and linens; $4,000 for lighting. Hartman Rentals, Richmond, (510) 232-5030/ Classic Party Rentals, Burlingame, (650) 652-0300/ Northern Lights, San Leandro, (510) 483-9307
Catering $19,500 for a cocktail hour, food stations, beer, wine and signature drinks and an ice-cream sundae bar. The Alder Market & Catering Company, Stockton, (209) 943-1921
Ceremony, cocktail hour and first-dance Music $2,300 for a singer and 3-piece band. Rick Ellis Sings Sinatra, Mill Valley, (415) 389-1311
Reception music $1,000 for a DJ. Shane Davis, Tracy, (209) 612-9283
Cake $500 for cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcakes, Palo Alto, (650) 323-9300
Favors $1,500 for a photo booth. Party booths.com
Transportation $750. Black Tie Transportation Worldwide, Pleasanton, (800) 445-0444
Welcome bags $500 for baskets with wine, water, maps and snack mix.
Melinda Molloy & Colin McAndrews
September 19 | San Francisco | 180 guests
Their Budget: $39,506
Their Breakdown
Ceremony site $1,150, including a rehearsal. Chapel of Our Lady, The Presidio Trust, San Francisco, (415) 561-5444
Reception site $6,750. "It's so romantic: hardwood floors, chandeliers and a giant fireplace. And there's ample free parking." Officer's Club, The Presidio Trust, San Francisco, (415) 561-5444
Photography $6,500 for an engagement session, 10 hours of wedding day coverage, one album and all digital images. Lisa Fish, Captured Memories Photography, Novato, CMPortraits.com
Flowers $2,500 for six bouquets, flower-girl flowers, four corsages, eight boutonnieres, 25 centerpieces, five vases and lots of petals. Hoogasian Flowers, San Francisco, (415) 229-2732
Consultant $600. Heather Holliday, Holliday Weddings, Petaluma, (415) 446-8130
Gown $825. Casablanca, Galleria Bridal, Santa Rosa, (707) 544-3695
Alterations $255 for taking it in and creating a bustle. Galleria Bridal, Santa Rosa, (707) 544-3695
Hair and makeup $500 for the bride's and bridesmaids' hair and makeup, a discount because the stylist is the bride's friend. Melissa Morcke, Margeaux's Beauty Salon, Los Angeles, (323) 644-6876
Veil $400 for a cathedral-length veil. Galleria Bridal, Santa Rosa, (707) 544-3695
Shoes $125 for silk shoes. Gracie, Galleria Bridal, Santa Rosa, (707) 544-3695
Wedding rings $681 for Melinda's band. Shane Company, Walnut Creek, (925) 935-6600
Other jewelry and bridal party gifts $248 for pearl and diamond earrings for the bride and $116 for strands of pearls for the bridesmaids. Macy's Union Square, San Francisco, (415) 397-3333
Stationery $1,078 for invitations and $85 for escort cards and a holder. MyGatsby.com/ Paper Source, San Francisco, (415) 614-1585/ OrientalTrading.com
Sign-in book $36. Folio 949, Larkspur, (415) 461-0120
Catering $13,604 for passed hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, servers, tables, chairs, linens, china, stemware, a bar and delivery. Park Avenue Catering, Cotati, (707) 793-9645
Ceremony music $350 for a harpist. Susan Weinstein, Santa Rosa, (707) 538-9820
Reception music $2,400 for a 6-piece band. Laurent Fourgo & His Ensemble, San Francisco, (415) 244-5331
Cake $833. Victoria Pastry Company, San Francisco, (415) 781-2015
Favors $132 for Jordan almonds in organza bags. Oh Nuts!, OhNuts.com/OrientalTrading.com
Hotel room $338 for two nights in a suite. Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, San Francisco, (415) 392-3434
Tina Kirk & Scott Sheldon
March 15 | Rohnert Park | 95 guests
Their Budget: $15,651
Their Breakdown
Ceremony site $450. St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Rohnert Park, (707) 585-3708
Reception site $9,600, including catering, reception flowers, a DJ and a cake. Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center, Rohnert Park, (707) 584-979/Auntie B's, Santa Rosa, (707) 584-4269
Photography $530 for one shooter for eight hours, all original digital images, 200 edited images and rights. Lisbeth W Photography, Sacramento area, LisbethWPhotography.MosaicGlobe.com
Officiant $250 as a donation. Fr. Mike Kelly, Sonoma, (707) 996-6759
Gown $350. "I had eBay and Google alert me if any dress listings matched my criteria. Within weeks, my top contender showed up on eBay -- right size, right price." Sottero & Midgley, eBay.com
Alterations $200 for a bustle. Becky Beck, Santa Rosa, (707) 566-0425
Hair and makeup $600 for the bride and four attendants. Nina Barbosa, Bay Area, (415) 570-1136
Veil and hair accessories $10 for a veil and $20 for a silk gardenia. eBay.com
Shoes $25 for fuchsia pumps. Macys.com
Wedding rings $1,005 for Tina's platinum-and-diamond band and Scott's gold band. ShaneCo., San Mateo, (650) 570-7333
Stationery $227 for DIY invitations, programs, escort cards and menu cards. VistaPrint.com/AnchorPaper.com/Michaels.com/Bella Winery, Healdsburg, (707) 473-9171
Bridal party gifts $150 for flasks, tank tops, flip-flops and canvas bags.
Flowers $450 for five bouquets, two corsages and eight boutonnieres. Grohe Florist, Rohnert Park, (707) 238-5844
Rental equipment $438 for pink uplights. Party, Tents, and Events, Santa Rosa, (707) 544-4132
Ceremony music $150 for a singer. St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Rohnert Park, (707) 585-3708, Rohnert Park
Entertainment $150 for a light show and fog. Noel Plumb, Perfect Day Music, Santa Rosa, (707) 292-2169
Dance lessons $98 for ballroom dance classes and $140 for hip-hop lessons. The Ballroom, Rohnert Park, (707) 586-1136/Expressive Motion Dance Studio, Middletown, (707) 987-8197
Favors $265 for a candy buffet, containers and monogram stickers.
Transportation $288 for a limo. Gold Star Limousine, Santa Rosa, (888) 878-2828
Hotel room $255 for two nights. DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country, Rohnert Park, (707) 584-5466
-- Alison Goldman