Welcome to our real wedding budget breakdown series! Generous couples are sharing their spreadsheets with us, revealing how much their big day cost, where they cut back and how they blew the budget. Hopefully it'll help you see what's realistic, and possible, whatever your wedding budget. Today's couple are from Limerick, aged 29 and 39, one works in an office and the other is self employed. They tied the knot with a carnival-themed festival wedding in Limerick City.
Note: While many of the images shown are from real weddings, they're not taken from the real wedding detailed in this budget breakdown.
Budget: €6,000
Guests: 120
Venue: A historic market (it was a unique venue as there's only been one wedding there!).
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Venue Rental: €750
Catering: €1200
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Photography: €650
Videography: €100 (friend of a family member)
Music & Entertainment: €350 (my brother-in-law fronts a band and wanted to play this iconic venue)
Flowers: €350
Wedding Cake: Made by the bride's sister
Decor: €300
Rentals: €400 (Bouncy castle, slushies, popcorn and candy floss)
Stationery: €150, (designed by my brother-in-law and self-printed for save the dates, the invites were festival-style VIP lanyards)
Transport: €80 (This was for a mini bus to go for photos, bridal party brought to venue in a convoy of motorbikes with sidecars by father and his friends)
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Wedding Dress €70
Groom's Suit: €200
Groomsmen's Suits: €0 (They wore their own)
Bridesmaid's Dresses: €90
Shoes & Accessories: €200
Rings: €220
Hair & Makeup: €200
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Gifts: €130
Accommodation: €300
Extras: We had to add insurance at €220, and security and hire a stage, but the same company manned and provided a bar for no extra cost.
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Honeymoon: €2000
More or less than you expected to spend?
Less!
Where did your wedding budget come from?
Mostly savings with a contribution from parents.
Biggest Splurge?
Extras like bouncy castle and games which really added to the carnival theme.
Biggest Savings?
Band, venue, food, cake! It pays to DIY and call in favours from family and friends.
Honeymoon
We went to Gran Canaria.
Were you happy with what you spent on your wedding?
Yes! Only thing I would have done differently was invited more people, we had an abundance of BBQ food leftover which was donated to local shelters.
Any Tips or Advice?
It's possible to have an amazing day on a budget - think about what's really important before spending.
Need more wedding budget real talk? We've got lots of tips and advice, and be sure to check out more real wedding budget breakdowns!
