My experience preparing for wedding thus far

[lswote]

I am in the process of preparing to get married in Colombia next February and I thought there might be some interest in the costs I am looking at.  I am posting this as information to others, not asking advice if I should do something differently.  I know I haven´t seen a lot of money numbers posted in regards to weddings and marriage visas in this forum so I thought someone might find them informative.

I have chosen to use services within the agency I met my fiancee at for both preparing the marriage visa as well as the wedding itself.  It will be a civil wedding with 50 people planned in attendance.  All values below are listed in dollars.

Cost for assistance and power of attorney for preparing and submitting marriage visa: $500
Cost for marriage including wedding dress, invitations, cake, chapel and reception in very nice Bogota location: $2500
Cost of visa at Colombian embassy $350-$375
Additional items whose cost is not yet known: Shoes for bride, Tuxedo rental for groom, airfare, cost for assistance in United States preparing and submitting documents to American embassy.

I know I can´t tell you guys what to post in reply, but I am not really interested in having someone argue about the prices I am paying or telling me to do things differently.  I am just posting them as information for others to have in their own trek to get married to a latin wife.

[Hiker]

... in response to My experience preparing for wedding thus..., posted by lswote on Nov 16, 2002

Good info.  I will be getting married before the end of March and I this is the info I am looking for.  

What is the power of attorney for?

Thanks

[lswote]

... in response to Re: My experience preparing for wedding ..., posted by Hiker on Nov 17, 2002

It allows them to represent you at the Colombian embassy for your spousal visa so you don't have to do all the legwork and submittal yourself.

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Re: My experience preparing for wedd..., posted by lswote on Nov 18, 2002

Thanks a lot!  That sounds like something I would be very interested in!!

[Pete E]

... in response to My experience preparing for wedding thus..., posted by lswote on Nov 16, 2002

Bruce,
I hear you,you got enough flak in the past and don't want anybody critisizing your choices here.
Your costs are pretty much what I paid with the exception of the wedding itself,which my wife wanted to do her way.It was less expensive,I think like $1000 for hall food and music for 60 people.I was planning something grander which she didn't want so I let her do it.The wedding started at 6.00 PM and they kicked us out of the hall at 10.00 PM,which I thought was a bit quick.Also she was only going to have enough champayne for a toast.I knew people including myself would want more so I ordered it.
My honeymoon expenses were bigger than the wedding.After 5 days in Bogota messing with the Embassy we took 10 days and went to San Andreas,Providencia and Cartegena.We stayed in 5 star hotels(except providencia,1 star is it)for about  $100 a night and spent probably another $100 a day on food and intertainment.
I've been meaning to ask you how its going,good it sounds like.

Pete

[wizard]

... in response to My experience preparing for wedding thus..., posted by lswote on Nov 16, 2002

for the info... I know some might argue over prices, but by Norte Americano standards a turn-key wedding, including all the visa legwork for less than 4K is not bad...

I will be visiting Nelson and the folks at LAI next week... Hope to run into you...

Best wishes and good luck on the marriage...

wizard