Wedding Cost

I recently read that the average cost of a modern wedding is $25000-$30000. How many feel that this is rather high or is this number rather low? How many brides are planning to spend this much or more?

Are couples trying to find ways to reduce that amount or how many do not care what they spend?

that is rediculous … I would rather have a courthouse wedding and use that money to put a down payment on a house.

I am looking for an idea as to how much planning and having a wedding would cost. If anyone also might have any website ideas on how to go about starting to plan a wedding that would also be very helpful.

Thanks so much

We spent about $7000 for 100 guests. It was at a country club, evening dinner (buffet style), fully hosted bar, professional DJ, pianist for the ceremony. You can save a lot if you do a lot yourself, or enlist the help of people you know.

I did my own flowers and centerpieces, made my own invitations (from a kit), got a GREAT deal on a dress, negotiated photography and cake fees, etc.

It can be done! Looking back, the entertainment/DJ was the best money spent. He kept the crowd going while we were detained for photographs and socializing. He played a variety of music for EVERYone, and worked in some of our requested faves, too. He did trivia about the bride & groom while people were in the buffet line. We had to kick people out at midnight.

Also – if you’re serving a meal, you can get away with a smaller cake. We had 3 times as much cake as we needed because everyone was full from dinner. We also made the bottom layer the "grooms" layer – it was chocolate, while the other layers were bavarian creme something…

I am looking for an idea as to how much planning and having a wedding would cost. If anyone also might have any website ideas on how to go about starting to plan a wedding that would also be very helpful.

Thanks so much

We spent about $7000 for 100 guests. It was at a country club, evening dinner (buffet style), fully hosted bar, professional DJ, pianist for the ceremony. You can save a lot if you do a lot yourself, or enlist the help of people you know.

I did my own flowers and centerpieces, made my own invitations (from a kit), got a GREAT deal on a dress, negotiated photography and cake fees, etc.

It can be done! Looking back, the entertainment/DJ was the best money spent. He kept the crowd going while we were detained for photographs and socializing. He played a variety of music for EVERYone, and worked in some of our requested faves, too. He did trivia about the bride & groom while people were in the buffet line. We had to kick people out at midnight.

Also – if you’re serving a meal, you can get away with a smaller cake. We had 3 times as much cake as we needed because everyone was full from dinner. We also made the bottom layer the "grooms" layer – it was chocolate, while the other layers were bavarian creme something…

If you go to this website, you can put in your zip code and see.

I put in my fiance’s, and the average was $45,500!!!!

We’re having our wedding in his city, and we’re well under $7000

Curious as to how it’s like around the U.S., and do you plan to go under or over that?
http://www.costofwedding.com

$24,000 here. However, I think it’s absolutely outrageous to spend that amount of money on a wedding. My fiancee and I are spending no more than $4,000 or so and it will still be beautiful and something our guests will always remember. I would feel guilty spending that amount of money on a wedding. You’re celebrating your love and life together, that’s all that should matter.

What’s the most reasonable price you think there is?

An "average" photographer may charge 500-1000
A good one will charge from 2000 – name a price.

I’m not talking about something cheap and standard, but a nice and pretty dress that doesn’t cost a million dollars. What is the average price of a nice wedding dress?

Depends on your definition of "nice."

Some brides are happy with gowns from Target or JC Penney. Some brides find gowns at the David’s $99 sale. Still others borrow a gown from a relative or friend.

Prices can go from zero (the borrowed gowns) on up to designer gowns costing thousands.

So it all depends on your definition of "nice."

I found this site interesting.
http://www.costofwedding.com/
Put in your zip code. It will give you the average cost of weddings in your area.

Use Average amount for picture purchaces also. Ii know that is relevant.

It depends on the package you buy. There is a lot of variance. I don’t know if they are still in business, but 3 years ago we got a great price and excellent work from a video company Hill Productions 727-481-4966. They were hundreds less than others and did a wonderful video.

I want to get married in Lake Arrowhead, CA. There’s a place I have in mind. It’s all-inclusive, and it’s going to be less than $11k for the whole wedding.

Does anyone know the average cost of a wedding in Southern California?
I’m sorry, I meant the wedding itself, not the dress and accessories. This place includes the following:

Wedding Coordinator
Photographer
food and beverages
minister
DJ-music for both ceremony and reception
One wedding night’s stay for bride and groom
Flowers for wedding party, mothers and fathers too
flowers for centerpieces and on gazebo and cake tables, etc.
cake
champange toast

I’m not sure if I missed anything… Oh and for 100 people.

My wedding (just last year) cost $15,000 for 150 people. This included everything but the honeymoon. For just the items you listed, I spent about $13,500. If you’re only spending $11,000 for an all-inclusive package, then you got a pretty good deal. Plus it’s nice that you don’t have to shop for different vendors (photographer, DJ, etc). Good luck and best wishes.

How much would a wedding cost with all the luxury trimmings
and how much do they cost on a budget?
i just mean like what price region do people spend?

If you want to keep the price down, there are so many things that you and your friends can do to create a luxury wedding at a very low cost. Creativity is the key.

Buy a beautiful ballgown instead of a wedding dress. They are identical, in many cases, except the dresses labeled "bridal" are twice as much (at least!! : o) Buy or rent tall thin glass vases and mound only baby’s breath in them. It is simple, chic, stunning, and very inexpensive. Decorate your cake with a tumbling cascade of real flowers vs. fancy icing for much less $$. Print off your own place cards in a fancy type face using your computer. There are tons of ways to save money!! ; )

btw, I have attended very expensive weddings that were tacky and boring and very inexpensive weddings that were luxurious and trendy.

I am getting married at the end of the year and the bills seem to be piling up quicker than I ever expected.

I would be very grateful if you could pass on some cost saving tips you used for your wedding or heard/saw of others using.

Much Appreciated,
Gareth

The biggest money saver that I used was I went to our local college and found a few photo students who had samples of their work handy and picked the one I liked best . . . It cost us only $200 compared to the $2500 that the professionals wanted! The pictures came out great and it left us more money for our honeymoon! And go to marthastewart.com she has great wedding ideas you can make yourself! Good luck and congratulations!