Just wanted to know how much does it cost to rent a tuxedo, paino player, expo center for reception and dances, flowers, invitations, and more. Does anyone know what the pastor says to all weddings like what to repeat to the pastor? Is everyone nervous on their wedding day? There is a beautiful woman that I have been taking out for awhile and we are talking about getting married hopefully real soon and still madly in love! Just getting ideas on what the average wedding costs.
How much does the marriage license cost and where can we get one?

The average wedding in a metropolitan area costs close to 30,000 dollars but weddings can be done for much much less expensive than that, though you’d be hard pressed to have it all for under 10,000.

I think everyone is nervous on the wedding day.

Among the big expenses is the reception. How many people, open bar versus cash bar. Buffet’s can start at 28/a head, sit down’s can go up to 135/a head. Mine was 42/head 5 hr reception, open bar, with hot hors devours, we had close to 150 people, with the 18 percent gratuity it was 6000 dollars

A tux shouldn’t be much more than 100 dollars

Flowers, depends what you want, we spent 30 dollars the day of the wedding at a flower shop, made four bouquets and tied some ribbon around them. Some people spend 3000 dollars on flowers if you are decorating the church etc.

Invitations-not a major expense, you can print them yourself with card stock for under 1/each. For 100 people you will only need 50 invites. Invitations can go up to 3 even 4 dollars each. We spent 88 dollars, yep 88cents each

A piano player I have no idea, my sister had violin players for her wedding ceremony, it was 350 for two of them for 45 minutes

A photographer costs 1500-4000 dollars

Cake 350 and up, sometimes its included with the reception

The church cost us 1000 dollars. 300 for the church, 275 for the organist, 250 to the deacon, 150 to the pastor

The wedding dress cost 1000 dollars for us. My dress was 399, alterations 60 (no hemming, I am 5’10"), shoes 25 (bargain), slip 100, bustier 60, veil 125, tiara 50, purse 40, jewelery 150, guest book 25, unity candle and pillars 45, cake topper 75, ring bearer pillow 15, flower girl basket 12.

wedding rings, we got plain gold bands 60 each

DJ we had a DJ it was a friend for 250, going rate is 600-900 dollars

a marriage license costs 30 dollars at the courthouse

we spent 400 on wedding favors each were about 3.35

honeymoon we spent 2000

my sister did the centerpieces for 500

The whole shabang was 13,000 including the honeymoon and we cut alot of corners with the DJ, flowers, invites, and wedding bands, our photographer, cake, wedding dress and accessories, and reception were an average amount, we had alot of people, had an expensive church, expensive cake topper

My sister’s wedding hasn’t happened yet, its 82 dollars/a head, 100 guests so 8200 for the reception

Her wedding band is 2700 dollar platinum and diamond ring, his ring 350

Her cake comes with the reception site

The DJ is 800

The photographer is 1500

The dress is 700+ accessories 1500

Invites are 3/ea so 150

the violinists 350

church 500 (including gift to pastor)

tux 100
marriage license 30

flowers 450
favors rock candy swizzle sticks 42cents each two per person 84 dollars
total: 16,714.00
no honeymoon

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12 Responses

  1. Lyli H. Howard

    2009 Nov 14 1

    10k
    References :

  2. John B

    2009 Nov 14 2

    5- 10 k down and the rest of your life paying for it
    References :

  3. Stiffler

    2009 Nov 14 3

    They say the average is $28,000, but that takes into account high end weddings as well as simple intimate ones.
    You can have a wedding on any budget, don’t worry about the average, do what you can afford.
    References :
    Here says it is $27k:
    http://financialplan.about.com/cs/singlesandmoney/a/WedAffordably.htm

  4. Tara

    2009 Nov 14 4

    My sister’s wedding was the average traditional and not over the top at all and cost about $28,000.00. Scary cost I know but that was for the dress purchase and tuxedo(s) rental, invitations, rental hall for the reception, cake, ect.The church was free. Most churches are not free. My sister had a big wedding with all the details covered. I prefer the simple garden wedding with a few people. It really depends on what you want to spend. Get the budget first before anything. We should have done that with my sisters wedding. That was a big mistake we made the cost got of hand especially since this was 20 years ago. So set the cost you are willing to pay or family is willing to help with before you do anything else.
    You can if you want get married at City Hall for a marriage fee. Call and see how much it is for them to marry you and have a small get together after. If you are trying to keep costs down. Invite your closest friends and family, you can always have a party later with everyone you want.
    References :

  5. Tricia Lynn

    2009 Nov 14 5

    All depends on …
    How big? How many people? where? When?
    Make a budget!!
    Put all Planning in one book or notebook
    get planning done early..
    get the guy involved always
    Doing things yourself might save money!!
    References :

  6. Dropshortandduck

    2009 Nov 14 6

    Get married at the registry office and save all that money for your house. Cheaper in the long run. The average rate of divorce is 2 out of 3 marriages fail. So whatever you two decide make sure it is the right decision so that your life together is just that until death do you part.

    You can spend anything from a few thousand bucks to the sky is the limit but the average wedding you are thinking about is about 30K.

    Best of luck mate. I have been married for just on 40 years and wouldn’t change a single thing, as life has been tough together but the good times always gets us through.
    References :

  7. violin_duchess86

    2009 Nov 14 7

    Marriage license depends on where you live. I think ours was about $30 or something close to that.
    As for the wedding, it can cost anywhere from the price of having it in a court and going to dinner at a family members house afterwards, to renting a huge church/venue and having a sit down dinner and hiring a band for dancing. It honestly depends on what you want and how much money you have.
    The best plan is to ask parents/guardians what they plan to contribute, figure out what you plan to contribute, and start to budget cost. And stick to your budget! Don’t be afraid to talk people down from their prices and shop around for the best deals.
    I don’t know about a tux, my husband wore a suit.
    I play violin at wedding and usually charge $100 to do the whole wedding. Call a local music school in your area to see about hiring a teacher or even one of the more advanced students.
    For flowers, we bought them online from Sam’s club, they came in the mail, and were absolutely gorgeous! We had a friend who had previously worked in a floral shop and for a small fee she agreed to arrange them for us.
    You can either have the pastor say the vows and you repeat them, or you can write your own and read/memorize them.
    References :

  8. mrsc

    2009 Nov 14 8

    1) between 2 and 10k
    2) yes he usually says
    …"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
    or
    I (name), take you (name) to be my (husband/wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.

    3) most people are nervous
    4) here in california they are around 90.00 but im not sure where you are
    References :

  9. prada

    2009 Nov 14 9

    alot
    References :

  10. Claire H

    2009 Nov 14 10

    Wedding can cost as much or as little as you want.

    Are you getting married because you love each other and want to make that commitment to each other.

    OR

    are you putting on a "show" for other people.

    If you have the money then go for it splash out.

    Just don’t forget the reason you are getting married.

    You don’t have to have a big wedding where you invite family that you haven’t seen since you were 8yrs old.

    I advise going away and doing it or a small ceramony with a party after if thats more your thing.

    You will be nervous on the day it happens but enjoy it.

    good luck
    x
    References :

  11. Mia J

    2009 Nov 14 11

    between 5-10 thousands. A license should be available from your local Clerk of Courts Office. The price can vary depending on the state you are in. Good Luck!
    References :

  12. beetlemilk

    2009 Nov 14 12

    The average wedding in a metropolitan area costs close to 30,000 dollars but weddings can be done for much much less expensive than that, though you’d be hard pressed to have it all for under 10,000.

    I think everyone is nervous on the wedding day.

    Among the big expenses is the reception. How many people, open bar versus cash bar. Buffet’s can start at 28/a head, sit down’s can go up to 135/a head. Mine was 42/head 5 hr reception, open bar, with hot hors devours, we had close to 150 people, with the 18 percent gratuity it was 6000 dollars

    A tux shouldn’t be much more than 100 dollars

    Flowers, depends what you want, we spent 30 dollars the day of the wedding at a flower shop, made four bouquets and tied some ribbon around them. Some people spend 3000 dollars on flowers if you are decorating the church etc.

    Invitations-not a major expense, you can print them yourself with card stock for under 1/each. For 100 people you will only need 50 invites. Invitations can go up to 3 even 4 dollars each. We spent 88 dollars, yep 88cents each

    A piano player I have no idea, my sister had violin players for her wedding ceremony, it was 350 for two of them for 45 minutes

    A photographer costs 1500-4000 dollars

    Cake 350 and up, sometimes its included with the reception

    The church cost us 1000 dollars. 300 for the church, 275 for the organist, 250 to the deacon, 150 to the pastor

    The wedding dress cost 1000 dollars for us. My dress was 399, alterations 60 (no hemming, I am 5’10"), shoes 25 (bargain), slip 100, bustier 60, veil 125, tiara 50, purse 40, jewelery 150, guest book 25, unity candle and pillars 45, cake topper 75, ring bearer pillow 15, flower girl basket 12.

    wedding rings, we got plain gold bands 60 each

    DJ we had a DJ it was a friend for 250, going rate is 600-900 dollars

    a marriage license costs 30 dollars at the courthouse

    we spent 400 on wedding favors each were about 3.35

    honeymoon we spent 2000

    my sister did the centerpieces for 500

    The whole shabang was 13,000 including the honeymoon and we cut alot of corners with the DJ, flowers, invites, and wedding bands, our photographer, cake, wedding dress and accessories, and reception were an average amount, we had alot of people, had an expensive church, expensive cake topper

    My sister’s wedding hasn’t happened yet, its 82 dollars/a head, 100 guests so 8200 for the reception

    Her wedding band is 2700 dollar platinum and diamond ring, his ring 350

    Her cake comes with the reception site

    The DJ is 800

    The photographer is 1500

    The dress is 700+ accessories 1500

    Invites are 3/ea so 150

    the violinists 350

    church 500 (including gift to pastor)

    tux 100
    marriage license 30

    flowers 450
    favors rock candy swizzle sticks 42cents each two per person 84 dollars
    total: 16,714.00
    no honeymoon
    References :


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