
Weddings. A wedding is a culmination of your relationship journey shared with the VIP's of your life. Experiences, life events, careers, and more evolve during your relationship, influencing your decision to spend the rest of your life with this amazing partner you have chosen. This is a BIG DEAL.
By the time of your engagement, whether or not you have always or never dreamed of a wedding, you have some idea of what you want and do not want. Those desires become your dealbreakers. The influence of social media, print media, television and film, songs, and people in your life affect your ultimate vision of your wedding day. Your bank account and what you see as "value" will dictate your budget, but that budget needs to be realistic.
I've read the same articles you are reading and the math is not mathing.
Here are ACTUAL costs for a wedding that recently occurred on Maui. Nothing over the top, but it was a beautiful and wonderful experience for 62 people. I am also including the discounts I obtained for my couple to defray my wedding planner costs.
MAUI PRIVATE VENUE $9950 + tax  (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical
20% or more that Planners typically add.) Includes: Exclusive use of the venue
Fire pit and 6 chairs
1 Strand of 100 bulb Lights (outdoors)
Event manager (required)
Wooden Dance Floor 15'x15'
Kitchen Rental (for outside caterer)
Restrooms
Vanity Suite
Indoor/Outdoor Space
A/C and Power Supply
Dessert Display Cart
Rubbish Disposal
FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNING - CELEBRATIONS BY TORI $4620 + tax + gratuity
RENTALS $5,062.80 + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
Partial Ceiling Fabric Drape
10 - 30" Cocktail Round Tables (6 high, 4 low) (Cocktail Hour)
6 - 10ft King Farm Tables (dining tables)
1- Sweetheart Farm Table (couple's dining table)
2 - 6ft Banquet Tables (Welcome Table, DJ table)
2 - 8ft Banquet Tables 96" x 30" (Prep/Vendor table, Tribute/Guest Book Table)
Lounge Set- (1) Sofa + (2) Chairs + (1) Coffee Table + 10 x 14 Woven Cable All Weather Rug
2 Post Walnut Arch (ceremony)
2 - 60" Round Banquet Tables (Food Service for Cocktail Hour) 61 - Rattan Back Chairs & White Cushions (ceremony & reception seating)
Fee to move chairs from Ceremony Space to Reception Space
2 - RH Louis XVI Chairs (Sweetheart Table)
20 - Bamboo Folding Chairs (Cocktail Hour)
Delivery and Pickup
PHOTOGRAPHY (6 hours coverage, gallery) $5,968.58 + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
VIDEOGRAPHY (5 hours coverage, video) $4,293.19 + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
FLOWERS Total:   $7,021.67 + gratuity  (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
Delivery, Set up, Strike
2 Bouquets
4 Boutonnieres
2 Leis
2 Arch Florals (repurpose to Sweetheart)
2 Aisle Florals (repurpose to Sweetheart)
2 Easel Foliage
3 Accent Arrangements
2 Lounge Lanterns
Dining Table Florals & LED Candles
LIVE HAWAIIAN MUSICIAN $550 (2 hours) + tax + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
Add $500 for sound system
FIRE KNIFE DANCER/DRUMMER (8-10 minute performance) $850 + tax + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
DJ & MC & CEREMONY SOUND SYSTEM $3600 + tax + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
BEAUTY SERVICES $2500 + gratuity (We saved our clients money by not adding the typical 20% or more that Planners typically add.)
1 Bridal Opulent Lux
5 Hair + MakeupÂ
1 Makeup Only + Short Hair Style
Travel Fee
CATERING $12,678 + tax + gratuity
Includes:
All Plates, Silverware & Water Glasses
4 Types of Passed Hors D'oeuvres $1,426.00 ($23.00 ea.) x 62
Poke Bar Station $1300 ($25.00pp @ 40)
Antipasto Grazing Table $1300 ($15.00pp @ 20)
Plated Kula Farm Salad $868 ($14.00 ea.) x 62
Plated Entree (Fish or Beef) $3,968.00 ($64.00 ea.) x 62
Assorted Petite Desserts Station $1,116.00 ($18.00 ea.) x 62
Wedding Cake (8 Inch Double Stacked) $200
Staffing (Executive Chef, 2 Kitchen Crew, 5 Servers) $2,500.00
ADDITIONAL COSTS AND SAVINGS: Since the couple hired us for our Full Service Planning Package, we extended discount rental prices on our linens and decor in our inventory.
Assorted Gold-Rimmed Acrylic Frames for Signage n/c
Lounge Monstera Leaf Pillows n/c
Lounge Blankets n/c
63Â Â Woven chargers n/c
White Table Linens $13 per linen (includes cleaning)
75 White Napkins $.50 per napkin  (includes cleaning)
Cigar Bar Accessories (lighters, cutters, ashtrays, etc.) n/c
Gold & Glass Card Box n/c
Welcome Table Candles- Combination of Clear Votives/LED Tea Lights & LED Pillar Candles in  Clear Cylinder Vases of varying heights for ($20)
Dessert Cart Candles- Combination of Clear Votives with LED Tea Lights & LED Pillar Candles in Clear Cylinder Vases of varying heights for ($35)
Metal Stands for Table Numbers n/c
4 - 15xpassenger Vans/Drivers $3200Â
2 Wooden Easels $8 each
2 Sets of Cornhole ($20)Â
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