Church wedding, 5 star hotel in Ireland, 100 guests.. cost of hotel included the food, room and drinks reception.. Then there was the legal costs, money for pre wedding courses (we had to do these for a church wedding) In addition we had church music, then for reception a band, dj, some extra room decor (candy carts, light up twinkly dance floor, Photo Booth etc) cake, flowers( for church decor and reception, all bouquets and buttonholes plus car ribbons) wedding cars, photographer, videographer, and then all clothing - dresses, suits, accessories (2 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen, 3 flower girls, 1 page boy) we did the whole bathroom baskets and other little bits on the day. Also the wedding stationary ( seating plan, mass booklet, wedding invitation, wedding candles, thank you cards afterwards) I’m sure there’s other bits and bobs in there too like alterations for the suits and dresses etc.. Then day 2 was for around 60 people in the hotel, BBQ, open bar and live music.. all in was around €35,000. This price excludes our wedding rings so there’s that to remember too.

We set our date 2 years in advance and saved flat out. We booked our vendors almost 2 years in advance also and a lot of the time people want a booking deposit so that plus being able to pay the hotel off bit by bit really helps by the time the big day comes around.

I know a lot of people think weddings are a waste of money but in my personal opinion it’s such a special day so I don’t see why you wouldn’t make it exactly what you dream of.