Old Money Garden Elegance
Lake Como · 125 guests · No Budget / Dream Mode
Estimated total
$132,840–$249,075
Top cost drivers
Venue · Food + Bar · Florals · Production
Selected trends
0
Next best actions
Cost levers
Reduce Guest Count
Current: 150 guests
Alternative: 120 guests
Savings: $12,000–$30,000
Smaller guest list, easier food/bar/rental control.
Change Bar Package
Current: Full open bar
Alternative: Beer, wine, and two signature cocktails
Savings: $6,000–$16,000
Preserves hospitality while reducing premium liquor exposure.
Lower Floral Density
Current: Full floral installation
Alternative: Candle-heavy tables + one ceremony statement
Savings: $12,000–$55,000
Less full-room transformation; ceremony photos can still feel elevated.
Move Off Saturday
Current: Saturday evening
Alternative: Friday or Sunday
Savings: $5,000–$25,000
May affect travel and guest convenience but can lower venue minimums.
Simplify Low-Photo Decor
Current: Lounge, excess signage, extras
Alternative: Keep one statement area and remove clutter
Savings: $3,000–$18,000
Less decorative coverage; more money stays in high-impact areas.
Category Breakdown
Venue
Location, rental fee, minimums, included infrastructure, and destination logistics.
Likely
$45,000
Range
$15,000–$150,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: A naturally beautiful venue can save more than almost any decor hack.
Hidden costs + levers
- service charge
- tax/VAT
- security
- parking
- extra hours
- approved vendor rules
- Change venue type
- Choose Friday/Sunday
- Reduce guest count
- Use included rentals
Food + Bar
Catering, bar, staffing, rentals, vendor meals, and service costs.
Likely
$38,000
Range
$18,000–$90,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Food timing and bar flow matter more to guests than many decorative extras.
Hidden costs + levers
- service charge
- tax
- gratuity
- bartenders
- vendor meals
- cake cutting
- corkage
- Beer/wine/signature cocktails
- Stations instead of plated
- Reduce guest count
Dress + Attire
Dress, alterations, veil, shoes, accessories, groom and wedding party attire.
Likely
$9,000
Range
$2,500–$35,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Do not skimp on tailoring. A less expensive gown that fits perfectly often looks better than a costly gown altered poorly.
Hidden costs + levers
- alterations
- veil
- shoes
- undergarments
- steaming
- preservation
- rush shipping
- Sample gown
- Pre-owned luxury gown
- One look instead of two
Flowers
Bouquets, ceremony pieces, centerpieces, installations, vessels, delivery, and teardown.
Likely
$18,500
Range
$5,000–$75,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Concentrate flowers where photos happen: bouquet, ceremony backdrop, head table, and guest-facing tables.
Hidden costs + levers
- premium stems
- labor
- mechanics
- vessels
- teardown
- refrigeration
- venue access
- Candle-heavy tables
- One statement moment
- Seasonal stems
- Lower floral density
Decor + Rentals
Tables, chairs, linens, chargers, glassware, lounge, draping, signage, and delivery.
Likely
$22,000
Range
$8,000–$90,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Looks expensive for less: candles, clean linens, cohesive palette, and one statement focal point.
Hidden costs + levers
- delivery
- pickup
- damage waiver
- setup labor
- venue access
- replacement fees
- Simplify lounge
- Use venue chairs
- Upgrade napkins only
- Remove excess signage
Lighting + Production
Uplighting, pin spots, chandeliers, dance floor, AV, rigging, power, install, and teardown.
Likely
$14,000
Range
$3,500–$70,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Lighting is one of the quietest ways to make a wedding feel expensive.
Hidden costs + levers
- rigging
- power
- insured labor
- venue approvals
- teardown
- extra hours
- One statement zone
- Pin spots only
- Skip ceiling installs
Photography + Video
Photographer, videographer, coverage hours, second shooter, albums, drone, film, and travel.
Likely
$15,000
Range
$5,000–$50,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Do not hire someone whose portfolio does not show weddings similar to yours in lighting, venue type, and timeline complexity.
Hidden costs + levers
- second shooter
- albums
- raw footage
- travel
- overtime
- film processing
- Shorter coverage
- Skip album now
- Local team
Guest Experience
Welcome bags, favors, transportation, afterparty, late-night snacks, guest book, and comfort.
Likely
$11,000
Range
$2,500–$60,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: Guest comfort beats decorative clutter. Prioritize bathrooms, shade, water, food timing, and transportation.
Hidden costs + levers
- transportation
- staffing
- delivery
- assembly labor
- venue rules
- Skip favors
- Simpler welcome bags
- Late-night snack only
Planner / Coordination
Day-of, month-of, partial, full-service, destination planning, and production management.
Likely
$12,000
Range
$2,500–$60,000
Source
Planning Estimate
Planner note: A coordinator is usually cheaper than the mistakes they prevent.
Hidden costs + levers
- travel
- design fee
- production management
- assistants
- Month-of instead of full
- Package venue with coordinator
Estimated total
$132,840–$249,075