how we fared on the wedding budget

Since I mentioned wedding budgets some time ago, I wanted to report back on how we did.

total cost: $4,500.61, making us (drum roll, please), exactly $499.39 under budget.  This cost includes everything wedding related except for our rings and another small personal gift from yours truly to the groom, a shawl (pashmina, to be more accurate) that my mom bought for me in case I got cold, and the rehearsal dinner, which was paid for by Jake's parents and hosted by his mom. Also Starbucks and lunch on the day of -- and I have no idea who even paid for that.

breakdown:

reception costs: $1893 ($800 for dinner, wine and cake; $760 for rental of the venue; $285 for rental items (stemware, etc.), tablecloths, napkins and decorations; $48 party favors).  = 42%
clothing, make-up, hair, alterations, etc.: $1,014 = 22.5%
photographer: $500 = 11%
ceremony costs: $320 ($250 musicians; $52 bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages; $18 programs) = 7%
car rental for the week: $300 = 6.7%
pre-marital counseling: $210 = 4.7%
invitations and thank you cards: $115 = 2.6%
gifts for the wedding party: $95 = 2.1%
marriage license: $60 = 1.3%