Two dollar amounts— $21k and $36k. One is the amount most QCA couples actually spend on their weddings and the other is the amount required to hire a high-quality wedding professional in all categories. So what’s the $15k discrepancy? That’s where couples prioritized and made some tough choices.

Below are some examples. Consider that the first three couples had a $20k budget and a guest count of about 150— both pretty realistic. Each couple prioritized parts of their wedding day and allotted their budgets to reflect that.

Couple #1

Priorities: a bangin’ party and good food

Tough Decisions: Not the most luxurious venue or most experienced photographer. Skimping a bit on flowers and dessert. Not hiring a videographer, planner, or transportation. Not offering an open bar.

The Reward: $50/ person for food and the best party set-up/ dj with all the bells and whistles

Couple #2

Priorities: Amazing pictures and video to always remember their wedding day

Tough Decisions: Less money per person for dinner and fewer hours from DJ. Bare essentials for dessert. No photo booth or wedding planner.

The Reward: High-quality wedding portraits and video

Couple #3

Priorities: a beautiful rustic location for their dream wedding and enjoying the day with as little stress on themselves and their parents/ families as possible

Tough Decisions: Less money per person for dinner and fewer hours from the DJ. Bare essentials for dessert and flowers. Less experienced photographer. Not having a videographer or photo booth.

The Reward: The perfect barn venue and a day-of-wedding coordinator to handle wedding day issues

Now, consider the same $20k budget and a more intimate wedding of just 50 guests.

Couple #4

Priorities: Beautiful day filled with laughter and family

Tough Decisions: Inviting only family and super close friends.

The Reward: Large per person food/ drink budget. Ability to host an open bar. Splurge on flowers. Enough leftover to add another extra- live wedding painter, luxury wedding album, musician, videographer, etc.

The reality is that most couples don’t have nearly $40k to invest in every category of wedding professional offered in the Quad Cities. Each couple needs to be realistic and purposeful when budgeting so that they put the money you spend correlates with your wedding day priorities.

We’re excited to be the Quad Cities region’s FIRST all-inclusive wedding blog and vendor directory! We are celebrating all things love in the QCA and helping couples plan their happily ever after!

Dream it. Plan it. Love it.