Huge wedding. $40k sounds right for the scenario.
We did a completely outdoor barn wedding (besides the Catholic church part for obivous reasons) and everyone loved it.
We found a guy who owned a farm and had his land renovated for weddings. He was just in the beginning stages so we got in on the dirt cheap.
After all the fees (venue fee $2k, dj $1.2k, food $3.5k, photography$2k, decorating (part of photography), transportation/shuttle ($1k, a bitch), booze (we got to bring our own :) $1k, etc.), we came to just around $10k-$12k for 80ish people. We went a little crazy on the food, beef tenderloin, pig roast, chicken, etc.
Everyone said it was the best wedding they have ever been too. We really hit a home run on the venue and booze. Comparable places charged $10k plus for outdoor barn wedding. I would say I saved over $10k+ on a similiar wedding at a different venue.
We spent two weeks out of the country in Belize at fancy pants resorts and racked up $10k bill. Wouldn't have it another way, it was literally the greatest experience of our life on our honeymoon.
Had the wedding,honeymoon,ring (paid in cash) all paid off on 0% CC in less than 12 months.
Spend on the things that matter to you.If I couldn't bring alcohol, I assume half of my family wouldn't of showed up. Irish pigs.
I really don't care about it "looking cheap" either - open bar, rocking band and fun group is all we want / need. I will definitely check out your link.
Lol. I don't think its possible to "look cheap" if you have an open bar, rocking band, and fun group.