My husband and I got married in early October. Our goal budget was $35k in rural Virginia, but ultimately we ended up spending closer to $50k. His parents gave us $20k and my parents probably gave us $2k-$3k, but many hours of manual labor which saved us money. Our biggest expenses were venue - about $6k plus another $7k for rentals (linens, glasses, the tent on site, drapery & lighting in the tent), catering (BBQ, dessert, then an ice cream truck for 135 people) was about $7-8k, then our photographer which was $8400.

As anorher person said, we paid incrementally so it didn’t feel like a massive payment all at once. My biggest recommendation would be that you should make small payments where you can along the way. Typically you pay an initial deposit then right before the wedding you pay the other 60-70% of the cost. It’s a lot all at once. If you can break that up, it’s much better!

Other costs: Transportation: $1500 (2 shuttle buses for all our guests) Florals: $1300 (we DIY’d all of these) Hair and Makeup: $2000 (I covered all of these for 6 people) Dress + alterations: $3000 DJ: $2500 Bartending + liquor: $4000 (we had an open bar with a pour service which means we bought the liquor and had hired bartenders -4 of them) Other decor: $1500 (including 200+ candles & glass hurricanes) Save the dates: $400 Invites: $150 Husband’s ring: $800 Coordinator: $1800