Chinese Wedding - How much to budget?

[black_2.5RS]

Ok. So, i'm hoping to draw off some experience from those people who have already been married and lived through the pain of paying for the wedding. I'm in the process of getting a budget together and have no flippin' idea if i'm close or out to lunch.

Quick background, typical chinese wedding, estimated to have 280 people in total, no wedding planner, low percentage of drinkers) and only 1 dinner in Calgary.

I've guestimated a budget of $35,250.00 for the wedding (everything in from rings to photographer to thank you cards and postage).

Is that about right?

[Melinda]

A lot of that might depend on where and what you plan on serving for dinner. That doesnt sound too far off the mark though.

What kind of research did you do to come to that though? A lot of budgeting comes from calling around to the different vendors that you have in mind of using and get a quote. If you did that, then ignore me, but if you havent it might be something to think about doing to get close to right on the money! If you're creative a lot of DIY stuff can save some money too. Oh and always give yourself a margin of extra money, there are a TON of things involved in weddings that you dont think of but really add up quickly in terms of expense, we're learning that right now!

Good luck and congrats!

[dj_rice]

Chinese weddings dont have a budget yo....asians are ballers whatever it cost..we pay, plus you make tons back from lai see anyway...cmon now...mama didnt raise no cheap mofo


Sharkfin soup FTW!!!!

My cousins wedding with roughly 500 people and open bar from what he said cost $50,000ish, 75% was restaurant and drinks

[JVR1]

i'd say that's a fair bit of room to move.. it's around $500/table of 10 people for banquet meals.. booze buy bulk at OK Liquor (the most expensive part is getting cognac for each table) .. photographer costs are tough to say but find someone you like..

you'll be pretty close and if you're both chinese i'd bet you easily do better than break even..

[pinoyhero]

You say that's the cost with ring? Then I'm assuming you've already picked that out. If not keep in mind that you could easily throw your budget out of whack with that item alone I've heard that the cost of diamonds are way up due to inflation of luxury goods. Make sure you do some serious research before you get your mind set on a number.

[n1zm0]

it's all about the dinners!!

[k98303]

Originally posted by black_2.5RS
who have already been married and lived through the pain of paying for the wedding.

[lint]

a good rule of thumb is figure out the cost of the reception and then double it. That should give you a good ball park, but does not include the cost of the rings.

My wedding was 300 guests last year, and your figure looks about right, you've probably got some wiggle room. Also depends on how much you want to drop for a dj, if you get video, etc.

[abyss]

Haha no budget FTW! Ours was around $35000 give or take a few thousand, but we had 500 people there. Yours seems about right if you're paying full price for everything. We ended up saving a lot of money on most of our stuff and by doing lots ourselves (like the wedding favours) I'd say you'll probably be cheaper than $35000, but it's better to have extra.

however you could easily blow a budget on rings or the dress, something to consider. If you do make a budget do your damndest to stick to it as much as possible.