<prompt> Human: So my now fiancee and I are planning our wedding - we are trying to realistically gauge prices for our venue and getting a headcount etc. I suspect we will be planning for some time next year in the early fall. We live in Northern Virginia and I was curious if anyone could provide some small expenses they may have overlooked planning their own weddings or even what average rates for things like photographers and DJs are. Realistically I would like to keep the expenses below 10,000 and I suspect our guestlist will settle somewhere around 65 people. Having never done this before I will admit I am not sure if that goal is realistic, either!Based on my quick math and without taking into account our RSVPs at the moment I suspect the receptionfoodbar alone will run us around 7,200 which is a huge portion of the budget. Should I adjust my expected minimum?  <response>: My biggest complaints at weddings that sucked were when the couple clearly forgot about their guests. Arrive in a premium chauffeured car, Chick walks down the aisle in a crazy elaborate, very expensive dress. Really ornate flowers. Cold deli meat sandwich wedges and French onion dip and melon slices for food. Like dude. I dont expect filet mignon. But I bought you a nice gift and spent money to be here. Dont give me white bread and Kraft slices. No one enjoys that.We focused on our wedding being a party for our guests and I think it turned out fine. We focused on good food it wasnt fancy or expensive. But it was really good and everyone devoured everything good drinks we were able to supply our own liquor so it kept costs down and a good dj or so we thought. He ended up being a total flop. Do your research dont bother with wedding favors. No one cares. Dont personalize stupid crap. I dont need your names on my napkin to remember where I am. Not one person could tell you what sort of flowers I had and I can think of exactly one wedding where I could describe what they hadI say pick 3 things that are important and put your money there. The rest, be flexible and go cheap where you can. 