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 Florida brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Francesca Simmons & Matthew Preston
February 21 | Tallahassee | 200 guests
Their Budget: $48,986
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $300. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Tallahassee, (850) 222-1321
reception site $2,600. Carriage House Conference Center at the Goodwood Museum & Gardens, Tallahassee, (850) 877-4202
photography $2,500 for two shooters for the rehearsal and wedding day, 400 proofs and CDs with the images. Gjergj and Hester Ndoja, Volaj Photography, Tallahassee, VolajPhotography.com
consultant $1,500. John Gandy Events, Tallahassee, (850) 570-5999
gown and alterations $350 for a silk-taffeta dress and $50 to alter Matt's suit. Anna Beth's Custom Sewing, Tallahassee, (850) 656-0041
hair and makeup $800 for the bride and bridesmaids' hair and $300 for makeup with a trial. Splash Salon, Tallahassee, (850) 491-8503/ Randi Buchanan, Tallahassee, (850) 510-9455
wedding rings $7,000 for both. The Gem Collection, Tallahassee, (850) 893-4171
bridal party gifts $1,620 for purses, ties, sweaters, gift cards, pashminas and watches. Dillards.com/eBay.com/ChildrensPlace.com/BassPro.com/BrooksBrothers.com/That's Mine Monograms, Tallahassee, (850) 509-6366/CreationsbyYou.com
formalwear $2,100 with cuff links. BrooksBrothers.com/ThomasPink.com/CuffArt.com
stationery $3,025 for invitations and save-the-dates and $240 for programs. Bella Figura Letterpress, Syracuse, NY, (315) 473-0933/Maureen Vickery, PenDance Calligraphy & Engraving, Houston, TX, (281) 558-7856/Karmanos Printing & Graphics, Tallahassee, (850) 222-7210
sign-in board $150 to frame art. The M Gallery, Tallahassee, (850) 531-9925
flowers $3,186 for eight bouquets, two pomanders, two corsages, 12 boutonnieres, and ceremony and reception décor. Designs by Darin, Tallahassee, (850) 228-5040/Josh Sale, Fraleigh Nursery, Madison, (904) 509-0458
party rentals $4,361 for linens, tables, chairs, plates, and silverware. Silver Lining Linens, Tallahassee, (850) 570-1842/In Tents Events, Tallahassee, (850) 309-7626/The Party Line, Tallahassee, (850) 668-7368
catering $14,900 for food stations and an open bar. JR2 Catering, Tallahassee, (850) 942-1608/On the Rocks Bartending, Tallahassee, (850) 251-4147
music $300 for the ceremony, $200 for the cocktail hour and $2,000 for the reception. Mitchell and Sarah Hutchings, Tallahassee, (919) 452-1448/Kim Thomas, Tallahassee, (850) 459-9449/ Southern Satisfaction, Tallahassee, (850) 509-3589
wedding cake $500 for a friend to make it.
favors $504 for cookies and labels. Food for Life Supreme, Atlanta, GA, (404) 880-9759
hotel rooms $500 for two. The Governor's Inn, Tallahassee, (850) 681-6855/Doubletree Hotel Tallahassee, Tallahassee, (850) 224-5000
Melissa Friedman & Steven Hohenshelt
September 5 | Ft. Lauderdale | 140 guests
Their Budget: $27,967
Their Breakdown
ceremony site and reception site $14,920, including an open bar, catering, a cake and a hotel room. Bahia Mar, Ft. Lauderdale, (888) 802-2442
ceremony accessories $100 for supplies for a sand ceremony and an aisle runner.
photography and videography $2,750 for one photographer for seven hours, eight prints, an album, an engagement session and one videographer for six hours and two edited DVDs. Affordable Pro Photo & Video, Davie, APPhotoVideo.com
day-of coordinator $450. Brooke Craig, Lake Worth, (561) 324-9200
officiant $0 for Steven's cousin, a notary.
wedding gown $720. Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner, Bridals by Natalie, Miami, (305) 274-3304
alterations $300 to take it in, hem it and add a bustle. J. Del Olmo, Coral Gables, (305) 448-3599
hair and makeup $0 for a family friend to do hair and $150 for airbrush makeup. Jackie Laskis, Sassy Scissors Salon, Jacksonville, (904) 733-8537/Cosmi x Makeup Studio, Ft. Lauderdale, (954) 564-5105
hair accessories $34 for a veil and $50 for a tiara. Wedding-Veil.com/JessicasWedding.com
shoes $60 for peep-toe heels. David's Bridal, Sunrise, (954) 846-0749
wedding rings $191 for his tungsten ring and $742 for her diamond band. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Ft. Lauderdale, (954) 630-0799/Freddy's, Sunrise, (954) 514-2100
bridal party gifts $1,100 for beach gear, jewelry, dolls, books, a custom guitar pick, and a snow globe.
formal wear $0 with the groomsmen rentals. Men's Wearhouse, Plantation, (954) 472-1813
stationery $1,120 for invites, programs and escort and menu cards. Cathy Spee Fine Custom Invitations, Pembroke Pines, (954) 756-0636
sign-in board $40 for a framed picture and a mat. Target.com
flowers $2,640 for six bouquets, flower girl petals, three corsages, seven boutonnieres, 24 table arrangements, ceremony, cake flowers, and other reception decor. Tropical Elegance, Pompano Beach, (954) 977-5030
party rentals $816 for covers for the chairs and overlays for the tables. Panache Party Rentals, Pompano Beach, (954) 971-8484
music $350 for a piano/violin duet for two hours and $999 for a DJ for four hours, lighting, and a photo montage. L&L Duo, Ft. Lauderdale, (561) 376-1719/Shannon Powell, Liquid DJs, Pompano Beach, (786) 597-3705
wedding cake $45 for extra decorations. A Piece of Cake by Elena, Miami Lakes, (305) 558-9142
favors $390 for personalized favor boxes and M&Ms. TheKnotShop.com/ACMoore.com
Jodi Spinks & Michael Madden
June 27 | Pensacola I 180 guests
Their Budget: $17,460
Their Breakdown
ceremony site $800, including an organist. Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Pensacola, (850) 432-7777
ceremony sccessories $120 for tapers and a unity candle, a ring bearer pillow, a flower girl basket, silk rose petals, and a runner.
reception site $4,979 with a big dance floor. New World Landing, Pensacola, (850) 434-7736
photography $1,500 for one shooter, all rights to images on CD and an engagement session. Ashlee Knupp Photography, Pensacola, AshleeKnuppPhotography.Blogspot.com
videography $400 for two shooters and three DVDs. R Squared Multimedia, Pensacola, (850) 554-0472
consultant $3,147, including invites, chair covers and sashes. Samantha Jackson Weddings, Pensacola, (850) 221-3638
officiant $300. "He married my parents, and he baptized me as an infant." Rev. Edward Cotten, Milton, (850) 994-5499
gown, alterations and veil $919 including adding a sweetheart neckline and a bustle and $120 for a veil with beaded trim. Bella Bridals, Bridal Loft, Pensacola, (850) 475-8296
hair and makeup $55 for a low chignon with side-swept bangs and airbrush makeup. Studio Twenty-8, Pensacola, (850) 438-2028
shoes $50. David's B idal, Pensacola, (850) 208-3181
wedding rings $1,000 for two white-gold bands. Zales, Pensacola, (850) 478-8797
other jewelry $60 for chandelier earrings and a silver necklace. Belk, Pensacola, Belk.com
bridal party gifts $200 for personalized bags, koozies and handmade bracelets for the girls, personalized beer mugs for the guys and activity bags for the flower girl and ring bearer. eBay.com/TheKnotShop.com/AWomansWishlist.com/Michaels.com
formal wear $0 with the groomsmen rentals. Men's Wearhouse, Pensacola, (850) 475-5891
sign-in book $20 for a book with photos. YorkPhoto.com
flowers $2,250 for eight bouquets, nine boutonnieres, four corsages, 21 centerpieces, flowers for the cake, one altar arrangement, and two aisle markers. Celebrations the Florist, Pensacola, (850) 433-2022
music $550 for a DJ for the reception. A DJ Connection, Pensacola, (850) 968-1968
wedding cake $565 for a butter cream-frosted cake with gerbera daisies. Creative Confections by Betty Weber, Pensacola, (850) 477-1745
favors $350 for a candy buffet. Southwest Candy.com/BulkFoods.com/SamsClub.com
-- Alison Goldman