Real Wedding Budgets of Minnesota Brides
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 Minnesota brides spent on their weddings and which pros they used to stick to their budgets.
Meagan Bottensek & Jeremiah Maanum
November 8 | Roseville | 225 guests
Their Budget: $29,593
Their Breakdown
Site $15,461, including catering and one night in the honeymoon suite. Radisson Hotel Roseville, Roseville, (651) 636-4567
Ceremony Accessories $38 for a ring pillow and $25 for champagne flutes. IDoandBabyToo.com/ThingsRemembered.com
Photography $2,150 for a photographer and an assistant for nine hours, an album and all images on disc. Agape Moments Photography, Oak Grove, AgapeMoments.net
Consultant $500 day-of coordination. Kirsten Fischer, Fab.You.Lous Event Design, FabYouLousEvents.com
Officiant $250. Judge Thomas G. Armstrong, TGArmstrong.com
Gown, alterations and accessories $1,585 for an Oleg Cassini dress, alterations, shoes, a garter and undergarments. David's Bridal, Roseville, (651) 697-1590
Hair and makeup $250 with trials. Amber Brenke, Smart & Chic Bride, Minneapolis, (612) 871-4482
Hair accessories $15 for a veil and $24 for a pair of shoe clips that Meagan made into a hair clip. Michaels.com/IDoandBabyToo!, Wayzata, (952) 476-0046
Jewelry $1,300 for the wedding rings and $35 for a necklace and earrings. Helzberg.com/GoodmanJeweler.com/Charter Club, Macys.com
Bridal party gifts $485 for jewelry, tote bags, sweets and reception shoes for the maids, personalized gifts for the groomsmen and three dresses for the flower girls. Target.com/Macys.com/NNichols.com/ FlowerGirlDressforLess.com/ThingsRemembered.com
Formalwear $149 for his tux and accessories. Men's Wearhouse, Coon Rapids, (763) 323-3335
Stationery $558 for invitations, programs and escort cards. Michaels.com/Target.com
Flowers $2,400 for 14 corsages, six bouquets, 17 boutonnieres, 14 centerpieces, three other arrangements and an aisle runner. Molly's Flower Studio, Minneapolis, (612) 770-0322
Rental equipment $1,350 for drapery, chair covers, table sashes and lighting. Jill Johnson, Wedding Day Designs, WedDayDesigns.com
Ceremony music $440 for two flautists and a cellist. Monarch Trio, MonarchTrio.com Reception music $685 for a DJ. Instant Request DJ, Bloomington, (952) 934-6110
Cake $898 for a five-tiered cake and $25 for a server. Queen of Cakes, Edina, (952) 942-7628/ ThingsRemembered.com
Favors $340 for a candy bar. TheKnot.com/Target.com/Amy's Classic Confections, Minneapolis, (612) 436-0016
Transportation $600 for a limo for two hours. Renee's Royal Valet, ReneesLimousines.com
Felicia Garney & Michael Orenstein
June 13 | Medina | 185 guests
Their Budget: $21,182
Their Breakdown
Site $11,800, including a catered brunch with beer, wine, juice and mimosas. Medina Golf and Country Club, Medina, (763) 478-4790
Photography and videograp hy $1,900 for two shooters for ten hours and five CDs/$0 for a relative to shoot and make videos. Barclay Horner, St. Paul, BarclayHorner.com
Officiant $0 for a friend to officiate.
Gown and Alterations $810 for a corset-top gown with beading and ruching and $50 for a friend to add a French bustle. Essence of Australia, Bridal Center, Plymouth, (651) 738-7488
Hair and makeup $160. Amber Brenke, Smart & Chic Bride, Minneapolis, (612) 871-4482
Hair accessories $15 for a DIY hair flower. Etsy.com/JoAnn.com
Shoes $65. David's Bridal, Maple Grove, (763) 494-3347
Wedding rings $752 for their white-gold bands. Bergstrom Jewelers, Minneapolis, (612) 332-0552
Bridal party gifts $600 for hair flowers and jewelry for the bridesmaids, bracelets and gift cards for the readers, ties and gift cards for the ushers and picture frames and gift cards for the groomsmen. Michaels.com/FusionBeads.com/Macys.com/WhiteAisle.com/TJMaxx.com/REI.com/ Borders.com/NYandCompany.com/BestBuy.com
Formalwear $30 for shoes and accessories. Savvi Formalwear, Minnetonka, (952) 546-0773
Stationery $215 for DIY invitations, programs, escort cards and a sign-in book. Paper Depot, Minneapolis, (612) 333-0512
Flowers $530 for four bouquets, four corsages, 11 boutonnieres and one arrangement, $25 for DIY arrangements and $80 for DIY centerpieces. "We borrowed the vases, candleholders and silver chargers, and a relative gave us four flowering plants." Molly's Flower Studio, Minnetonka, (612) 770-0322/Costco.com/Michaels.com
Rental equipment $400 for chair covers and sashes, a 20% discount for being referred by another bride and for putting the covers and sashes on themselves. Prestige Linens and Events, Vadnais Heights, (651) 395-1389
Ceremony music $75 for gifts for a friend to play guitar. TJMaxx.com/GanderMountain.com
Reception music $3,200 for a seven-piece band. George Faber & The Icons, St. Paul, (612) 927-4265
Dance lessons $90 to learn five different dances. Robbinsdale Community Education, New Hope, (763) 504-6999
Flowers $530 for four bouquets, four corsages, 11 boutonnieres and one arrangement, $25 for DIY arrangements and $80 for DIY centerpieces. "We borrowed the vases, candleholders and silver chargers, and a relative gave us four flowering plants." Molly's Flower Studio, Minnetonka, (612) 770-0322/Costco.com/Michaels.com
Rental equipment $400 for chair covers and sashes, a 20% discount for being referred by another bride and for putting the covers and sashes on themselves. Prestige Linens and Events, Vadnais Heights, (651) 395-1389
Ceremony music $75 for gifts for a friend to play guitar. TJMaxx.com/GanderMountain.com
Reception music $3,200 for a seven-piece band. George Faber & The Icons, St. Paul, (612) 927-4265
Dance lessons $90 to learn five different dances. Robbinsdale Community Education, New Hope, (763) 504-6999
Katie Van Thomme & Mike Wiegert
November 28 | Ramsey | 170 guests
Their Budget: $10,777
Their Breakdown
Ceremony site $600, including donation. Church of St. Stephen, Anoka, (763) 421-2471
Reception site $500. "They worked with our budget to give us a beautiful reception at a most reasonable price." The Links at Northfork, Ramsey, (763) 241-0506
Photography $500 for one shooter for four hours and four CDs. "We received a family discount." Cathy Brehm, Concept Photography, Ramsey, ConceptPhotoDesign.com
Gown $365 for a satin, A-line gown with a chapel-length train, beading and embroidery. David's Bridal, Maple Grove, (763) 494-3347
Alterations $120 to shorten it and alter the straps. Sew & Press, Anoka, (763) 323-3203
Hair and makeup $115. Simonson's Salon and Spa, Anoka, (763) 427-0761
Veil $14. Wilton, JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store, Maple Grove, (763) 416-0030
Hair accessories $3. "My mom found a silver hair clip at a garage sale!"
Shoes $45. David's Bridal, DavidsBridal.com
Wedding rings $1,200. Wedding Day Diamonds, Maple Grove, (763) 416-0245
Other jewelry $20 for a necklace and earrings set. Macy's, Bloomington, (952) 888-3333
Bridal party gifts $500 for personalized tote bags/emergency kits for the bridesmaids and personalized valet boxes for the groomsmen. LandsEnd.com/Target, Champlin, (763) 354-1006/ TheKnot.com
Formalwear $0 with the groomsmen's rentals. Savvi Formalwear, Maple Grove, (763) 493-0032
Stationery $120 for invitations and $15 for DIY escort cards and programs. Presto Graphics, Anoka, (763) 421-3422/JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store, Maple Grove, (763) 416-0030
Sign-in book $35. Shutterfly.com
Flowers $600 for bouquets, corsages and bouts/$200 for DIY centerpieces. Main Floral, Anoka, (763) 421-7411/JoAnn.com/Michaels.com
Catering $5,000 for plated meals, a late-night platter, one keg and wine service. Wells Catering, Ramsey, (763) 712-0987
Cocktail hour and ceremony music $600 for a DJ, a discount for booking at a bridal show. The DJ Pro, Champlin, (763) 422-4028
Cake $0 for a small cake and sheet cakes, gifts from guests. Byerly's, Maple Grove, (763) 416-1611/ Costco, Maple Grove, (763) 494-8050
Favors $125 for monogrammed labels on small boxes filled with chocolate. eFavorMart.com
Accommodations $100 for a standard room. Holiday Inn, Maple Grove, (763) 425-3800
