In the middle of planning and feeling both excited but anxious about cost. Our wedding will have about 220 people in SoCal. With the venues we’ve been interested in, total costs will be ~140k. My family came to the US decades ago without much, so the price tag makes me uncomfy. But my fiance and I have done well professionally, and I’d like to throw a beautiful wedding that can accommodate our big families and also make them proud of how far our family has come. Am I spending too much?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

This seems reasonable for a hcol area. If it makes you feel better, we are having half the people and paying nearly double the cost in another hcol location 🫠 pricing on everything has skyrocketed, so definitely don’t think you’re out of range

like

And I’m sure your wedding will be beautiful! 💕

like

I don’t think you’ll regret spending that much if you can afford it. It’s the only party you’ll have where everyone from all corners of your life will be there, it’s an amazing day! I wouldn’t go into debt for it, but it doesn’t sound like that’s you. Ignore the people that say to just elope and save money (they’re common on the internet)

like

Im estimating ~150k for Cabo for ~150 people.

For HCOL and number of people, that isn’t a ridiculous number to spend. Whether it fits into your budget and values is your own question.

Keep in mind you can definitely get guest lists down and save. Don’t give +1s unless serious relationships, make a “B list” and take a strong look at your guests. Unless someone else is paying for your wedding (doesn’t sound like they are) they don’t get to dictate who is invited

like

All that matters is that you feel ok spending the amount. I would never personally be comfortable spending that much on a single day, and you can definitely do it for less, but if you’re good with it go for it.
I am also in HCOL Bay Area and we have 150 guests. All in we’re getting close to 70K. We could comfortably spend more, but decided on including just the pieces that WE really cared about and have knocked off costs for things we don’t care about or care less about and ultimately feel like our total spend will be pretty reasonable. All the extra things we don’t want is money in our pockets for the honeymoon and our future.

like

I am fully certain my wedding would’ve been this much in New England. We pivoted to the Midwest and are at about half of that for same headcount, but a lot of pricing is location dependent.

like

It’s a lot of money, but that’s about what my other friends are spending as well. My first wedding 10 years ago was $110k, and we have had inflation since. I also read somewhere that the average cost of a wedding is now $80k, which also takes into account places like Mississippi.

like

I think I’m also trying to get a good sense for whether this budget is understandable given the HCOL area and high guest count.

Is that really is your total budget, dress, tuxes, BM gifts, transportation, food/ bar, photographer,videographer, flowers, hair, makeup, venue, tips, tax, everything? For 220 guests thats around $660 per guest. I would say that's in line for a "big" wedding. I only had 114 attend and my cost was a tad higher. My venue could have accommodated more and the incremental cost of additional guest had they come was around $230. Since, so much was fixed cost, had I had a higher percentage attend it would have been in that range.


Do a really close look at your guest list. Who will really come? Of course, you need a venue that will accommodate the total number you invite, the preference is to be able to not be signing a contract for that number.

Happy planning!

like

Related Posts

Any agencies hiring? (Planning on staying away from Rogers and pharma)

like

What kind of sectors does Accenture S&C deals into How is customer service and sales strategy team within Accenture s&c

like

What is a fair salary range for a Senior Solutions Architect in Austin?

Salary discussion done on 13 Nov, but no further updates on offer letter release from HCL, will they release or not?, hr is not replying my calls or emails. How long will it take to release an offer letter ?

like

Hello I am pursuing ACCA and also I am working in accenture and have 2.6 yrs of experience in accounts and finance profile I am actively looking for job change can any one help me please contact 9411836185

like

Does UBS provide laptop?
I am hearing from HR that laptops are not issued. If that is the case how does WFH happen and how does flexibility work?
Any inputs would be really helpful
Joining next week.

like

I have a question for associates, what would help you the most in your job right now? It could be technical, communication, training, mental health. What are you biggest problems and struggles?

like

Only senior on a demanding client, managing multiple staff and managers. I really like my team and the work but I’m starting to lose motivation and burn out after the long time being the only one in my position here... and I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but feels like I don’t get fairly paid for the amount of time and effort I put in... any advice to get out of this negative mindset?

like

How are your coworkers doing today? Mine are scoring high on participation

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

Which units in infosys provides maximum number of on-sites ?
I am having almost 10 years experience as a full stack developer.

likehelpful

Thought I was on LinkedIn when I saw this one

Post Photo
funnylike

Hi Microsoft Sharks
Do we have someone from the Azure Data Science team I.e. some one who works on Azure Machine Learning ecosystem?
I want to have a small conversation regarding the Azure ML platform!!

like

Hi Fishes,
I had a technical discussion for HCL on 3rd Oct. It's been more than a week. I still haven't received a status on that interview. I have also received a "Resume shortlisted" mail from their careers app after a week.
Does it mean I'm selected? There's no intimation of the status at all. The HR don't reply on mails/calls.
Can anybody advise on this of they been through the same.

Which would you rather? Internal at MBB or client-facing at Big 4/ACN?

like

Hey guys

Hope you are doing good.

Last week I shared a list of companies that are hiring from india and also providing relocation support.

If anyone has followed the process, can you please share your feedback
Or any help or suggestions you need, do let me know

I'll share the next list soon

like
like

I applied to a job at KPMG and did the first two rounds of interviews, general interview, then case study and competency. Never before have I had such a positive feedback at the end of an interview of the 2nd, both said really like me, I did well etc.
It's now been 3 weeks since the interview and I still haven't heard back from the team other than the odd HR email saying they are following up with them. Is there something going on internally, I.e hiring freeze in the London office atm?

like

Anyone work for GoDaddy and would like to recommend me for an accounting or analyst role?

like

I am currently interviewing at TikTok for the Content Partnerships Lead role. Can anyone share some insight into the salary bands in the Sub-Saharan African market? Should I benchmark with the global rates?

Any tips and experiences interviewing in this region are also welcome - and highly appreciated! :)

like

I’m potentially moving from a senior social role to an account management position. I feel I’ve capped my growth in social and want to explore other sides of the business. Any tips to set myself up for success?

like

Additional Posts in The Wedding Bowl

Guest list stress 😖😖 how many did y’all invite vs how many came?!

like

I don't wear a lot of makeup - how far in advance from the ceremony should I be getting it done? Is having it all done 2 hrs before the ceremony too late or too early? I'm not getting pictures done until ceremony and after. Thanks!

like

My MOH is probably not going to be able to attend my wedding bc of covid restrictions. Freaking out slightly because I don't have someone close enough to replace her / I don't know how viable her zooming in would be? Any advice / tips?

like

Thoughts on uneven bridal parties? I would have 5 vs my fiancé having 3 people.

like

Has anyone hosted their own engagement party? All of my friends and family live far away from us so it is just easier for me to plan it but I feel odd doing so. Any tips?

likefunny

Suggestions for jewelry to wear with this dresss?!

Post Photo
like

My stepmom threw me a very elaborate bridal shower. My stepsister pitched in and also did a lot of work for it. Bridesmaids helped but didn’t do a ton. What, if anything should I do for my stepmom and stepsister as a showing of gratitude? I don’t want to spend a lot of $$ but definitely want to act quickly and thoughtfully.

How much did you spend on your wedding? Do you regret it? Also please share the location of your wedding if possible. Thank you!

like

Did you have someone doing hair/makeup for bridesmaids or did you have them do their own? And were you glad you made the decision you did? I’ve been in weddings both ways and trying to decide what I want to do

like

Thoughts on kindly asking your bridesmaids to please not give a gift? I am over the moon excited that my bridesmaids will be celebrating me and traveling for the wedding and bachelorette. I really do not want a gift from them at the wedding. Full disclosure, my fiancé and I have great paying jobs and my bridesmaids are grad students, artists, and teachers. How would you frame this? Even if they were millionaires I would not want a gift, but I don’t want it taken the wrong way.

like

We’re having a destination wedding and I feel selfish/silly for taking a honeymoon after. But I feel like if we don’t do it then we will put it off and it won’t really feel like a “honeymoon”. What would you do?

like

Is it normal to feel depressed/lonely during wedding planning? I almost feel like I can’t talk about it since other people aren’t engaged and I feel like I’m rubbing it in their faces talking about it. So I have to keep everything to myself and it’s kind of stressful

like

Considering getting highlights and/or extensions for my wedding. Is it worth it? Or is it a bad idea to update your hair for the wedding?

like

Any recommendations for good videographers in NYC/Tri-State? A lot of the affordable ones I find make the cheesiest videos. I’ve certainly found some good ones but very expensive. I know you get what you pay for, but there has to be someone reasonably priced out there that delivers quality work. I am splurging on the photographer so this would just be an extra.

like

If I got married on a Sunday, could I use the flowers from the wedding the night before? (Anything they were going to leave behind like hanging installations) Seems like a waste for that decor to be trashed and an opportunity to pay it forward. Has anyone done this?

like

Typical prices for wedding photography in a high cost of living city? (San Francisco) 2 photographers, 8 hours, no travel. Much appreciated! ❤️

like

How much did everyone spend on their wedding planner? We’re planning a Fall wedding in Europe with ~80 people and want a full service planner, have been quoted 9-15K and want to see if this is reasonable! TIA

like

I thought I set some boundaries with my wedding since my fiancé and I are paying for everything. Now I’m getting more comments about why we didn’t invite some long lost cousin or family member… I don’t want to go bridezilla on people but I’m starting to see how it can happen 😂

like

Anyone else’s mom driving them crazy about mother of the bride dresses? Wedding is a little over a year out 😂 Any store recommendations for MOB dresses?

like

Looking for solid bridesmaid dress recommendations with a good color, design, and size range!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal