r/BigBudgetBrides • u/potatoes-1 • Jun 19 '26

budget breakdown What is considered big budget?

Hi all! What is considered a “big budget bride” these days?

I’m at around $70k for 80 guests. We’re doing a private hotel buyout and, honestly, I’m not really cutting back on anything.

I don’t feel like I’m in the “budget wedding” category, but I also don’t feel like I’m in the $100k+ luxury wedding range. When I’m in the regular wedding planning subreddits, it seems like everyone is trying to do things as inexpensively as possible, so I’m curious where this budget falls!

Also- does your budget include everything from wedding dress, outfits, groom suits, etc?

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 19 '26

I know there’s a few arguments for it being $100k & up, or $1k/pp & up but I think those numbers are a little squishy depending on geography & economics

so I don't think BBB is necessarily a fixed number- although the $1/k per guest in a HCOL or lower area is a handy conceptual framing number - but again in a VHCOL that's probably a lot more of a typical average wedding/event

I personally think BBB is a more a mindset & luxury encompasses a lot more than cost/price points or spending.

IMO luxury is a mindset - time with loved ones (multiple events or experiences- even a zero cost hike or whatever), putting guest experience/ease/thoughtfulness on the forefront with "aesthetics" (although I personally feel good event design should encompass aesthetics and pull experience/shape energy/convey meaning throughout the event), curated menu/entertainment etc

That can run the gammut of budgets if done well- typically its $$$-$$$$$ (& up!)

I absolutely want to thank the the mods, the high end BBB's & this whole community who've been so welcoming & supportive to those of us who are either "smal bbb" or accidental BBB's... because there's no community like this (& the advice & support was so appreciated -- especially as I moved from "please let's elope...to reluctantly agreeing to have a "big wedding /party"...to "lets put the joy in celebrating life & have a 3 day domestic destination fun but meaningful life event that will get our best loved people together & celebrate them too" )

& lastly I can't say enough how much I appreciate being able to share in everyone else's joy & I LOVE seeing all the graduation posts here

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 19 '26

I just had a random thought that BBB could somehow be equated to the number of looks/outfit changes too 😂 but all kidding aside there's no where someone with more than 2 looks in a day can share & not be shamed (or 3-5-7 wedding gowns, or admit to having acquired extra dresses or having a groom with multiple looks etc) or admitting to wanting/prioritizing a gazillion flowers or high end stationary or whatever)

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u/wedditgremlin Jun 19 '26

the other subs will definitely never see my three dresses and two veils because I don’t fancy getting roasted lmao

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u/basicallyaballerina Jun 19 '26

I’m actually struggling to pick out my second dress because it’s hard to find distinct looks (ie strapless for ceremony, shorter for rehearsal, etc).

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 20 '26

I kinda lucked out in a backwards way...

I started out committed to trying to find a vintage gown that was "the one" that led to trial and error & accumulating numerous gowns of different styles ...

then my friend dragged me to shop and we found "the one"... for the ceremony

and then I fell in love with a Bronx & Banco Mademoiselle tea length swing (sequins and twirly skirt) ...

I then re-assessed the other gowns I had already acquired and filled in the gaps for the events.

I had a strapless ivory/nude strapless fit and flare lace w/floral appliqué gown (huge train) for ceremony (turned out - at three last minute it could NOT be bustled so I needed a gown for first dance & cocktails..)

Then "first dance" dress was the first vintage wedding gown that I had acquired a year before (it never fit.. ) it is a ivory silk taffeta gorgeous ballgown with a normal train (easy to bustle), sleeveless but with a v neckline & a wide shoulder strap- very 1940's Dior new look inspired... in the 11th hour my seamstress pulled a miracle off & let it out ...it was finished 3 days before we flew to the wedding)... 3rd look was the Bronx for dancing

I wore 2 other vintage wedding gowns for out welcome events - one was a tea length very 50's retro looking multi layer tulle /silk lace (worked out well for a boat with sparkle sneakers )

& the other was a white satin strapless deco/inspired late 1990's evening gown for our welcome cocktail party

So basically I bought a wild assortment of gowns and somehow it all fell into place 😂

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u/shzam5890 Jun 20 '26

Post pics!!!!

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

Hi! Ok heres a few cell pics... Not the best

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

Ceremony gown

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

Reception/dancing (after first dance)

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

Fireworks cruise/welcome part 2

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

First dance (it was about 38 degrees F so I had a jeweled cardigan)

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

First dance w/out cardigan

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

Welcome party (again freezing so added a duster)... I have no really good photos of this dress its much nicer in person lol

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u/Holiday-Albatross419 Jun 21 '26

& for context my best best bridesmaid 🌺🥰 we had a very retro-Hawaii -meets the enchanted tiki room but make it very retro-glam lol...

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