How Much Should My Wedding Cost?
Posted in Wedding Planning
Your wedding will most likely be one of the most important days of your life but it is vital that your wedding cost doesn’t get out of control. I know you’ve probably been dreaming about your wedding day since you were five years old and you may already know exactly what colors you want, how you want your dress to look, the flowers, candles and music you want and more.
It is only natural that you would want everything to be just perfect, no matter what the cost. But the truth is, money doesn’t grow on trees and you do want to have some cash left for your honeymoon and for your newly married life. Starting your new life together in debt is not much fun.
So what should your wedding cost and is a budget really necessary?
When you look at the figures, the average wedding cost can be a little intimidating. According to market research firm, The Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. While this seems high, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is for hidden or unexpected expenses to add up, giving you a figure even higher than that. That’s why you need a wedding budget and you need to stick to it.
When working out your budget, try to be comprehensive and try to avoid under-estimating. Keep in mind that the average couple spends more than twice the amount that they had originally planned for their wedding.
Here are some things to consider when creating your wedding budget.
The reception takes the largest chunk of the average wedding cost at 40-50% of the total budget. This includes everything from location to food to a DJ or band for your wedding dance.
The cost of venues vary greatly. If you are getting married in your own church, you may only have to pay the cleaning fee. Other locations can charge anywhere from a couple of hundred to several thousand for rentals. Consider choosing a location that can host both your ceremony and reception. That way you only have one venue fee and your transportation costs are lower. Keep in mind that some venues require you to use their bar service, catering service and/or DJ. These may add on extra fees to the wedding cost that you were not expecting.
Count on 10% of your budget for attire. This includes clothing and accessories for the bride and groom. Don’t forget to include jewelry, make-up and hair services. Generally, bridesmaids and groomsmen pick up the tab for their own attire, but you may wish to purchase jewelry for the bridesmaids that they can wear on the day as your thank you gift to them.
Flowers for both bouquets and decorations are a part of almost every wedding and range between 8 and 10% of the total wedding cost.
If you choose to hire a professional photographer and/or videographer, plan to spend at least $2,000, or 10% of the average budget. This may seem like a lot, but consider this aspect carefully. Right now, it may seem a logical place to cut costs, but these memorabilia will be priceless in 25 years time.
Other smaller expenses include:
Invitations, place cards, thank you notes and other paper items (3-5% of your budget)
Transportation (2%)
Miscellaneous items like taxes, tips and insurance (6%)
Don’t forget to also purchase thank you gifts for the wedding party and table favors for your guests.
Keep track of everything you spend and categorize it appropriately. You will soon see the little costs adding up and be able to cut back when you reach the spending limits that you have set for yourself.
Your wedding cost is significant but with careful planning it does not need to be exorbitant. A well-thought-out budget will relieve your money stress and allow you to enjoy your special day. And, of course, there are always plenty of ways to cut costs without reducing the quality of your wedding or sacrificing any of the things that you dream of.
Erica Yoon can show you how to save 50-80% of your entire wedding cost without compromising on your dream, regardless of your budget. She did not hire a wedding planner and yet managed to save over $10,000 on her own wedding with a few insider secrets – secrets she wants to share with you.
If you want to know how you can reduce your wedding cost and still have your dream wedding, you need to read her “Amazing Wedding Planning” book. It’s full of insider tips and tricks you just won’t find anywhere else.
Click Here To Grab Your Copy & Start Saving Today!
6,461 Responses to “How Much Should My Wedding Cost?”
Sofia Mcneece
06. Aug, 2011
Hello there, simply turned into aware of your blog via Google, and located that it is really informative. I’m gonna be careful for your future posts. I’ll appreciate should you proceed this in future. Many other people will be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
The W South Beach
06. Aug, 2011
I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Sheldon Pevey
06. Aug, 2011
I used to be more than happy to find this internet-site.I wished to thanks to your time for this excellent read!! I positively having fun with each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
mobile twitter client
06. Aug, 2011
Hello dude,i like this Ones New site very much. accomplish u have on suggestion being my blog? thanks being
Jong Placide
06. Aug, 2011
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
imovie avi
06. Aug, 2011
Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
challenge jackpot
06. Aug, 2011
Good blog, thank you. I really like it!
throat cancer survival rates
06. Aug, 2011
hello, thanks for the nice information about your articles this what i looking For ! by the way what desain that your site Use?
Margie Hesch
06. Aug, 2011
Along with every thing which appears to be building inside this particular subject matter, all your perspectives tend to be somewhat radical. Having said that, I appologize, because I do not subscribe to your whole suggestion, all be it refreshing none the less. It seems to me that your opinions are actually not totally rationalized and in fact you are generally yourself not really thoroughly confident of your argument. In any case I did appreciate examining it.
Jermaine Arch
06. Aug, 2011
Nice blog post out there. I in no way permit a daytime end up withouth having most up to date details right from this website page.
Melvin Maffei
06. Aug, 2011
This is an great, excellent and wonderful post in terms of content, ideas and resources. mountainbike
Pansy Stirn
06. Aug, 2011
Nice post. One thing, i’m running Win 7 with the Firefox 4 Beta browser and your columns are overlapping a little. Though you may want to fix it 🙂
Wedding Invitations
06. Aug, 2011
I benefit from seeing web-sites that understand on line casinos of providing a major resource at zero cost
letnie tapety
06. Aug, 2011
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
ugg boots cheap
06. Aug, 2011
Wow really glad i found your internet-site, i??ll make sure to visit back now i??ve bookmarked it??.
tarot visa
06. Aug, 2011
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
online jobs
06. Aug, 2011
Hrmm that was weird, my comment got eaten. Anyway I wanted to say that it’s nice to know that someone else also mentioned this as I had trouble finding the same info elsewhere. This was the first place that told me the answer. Thanks.
chrome os
06. Aug, 2011
Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thanks!
American Silver Eagle coins
06. Aug, 2011
Good work, I was doing a google search and your site came up for real estate in Winter Springs, FL but anyway, I have enjoyed reading it, keep it up!
pro flight
06. Aug, 2011
I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website :).
Music News
06. Aug, 2011
hello, thanks for the nice information about your articles this what i looking For ! by the btw what themes that your site Use?
vacation rentals bethany beach delaware
06. Aug, 2011
i dont understand why everyone is giving up on Jayson. his homers are down a few to this point, but it is what it is. all his other numbers are on pace for the season he had last year, if not better. league leader in doubles. maybe he could run more, but other than that i think the phillies should keep Werth over Ibanez and Victorino for that matter. We have a right handed bat on the bench for almost a year now, Ben Fransico. Move Werth to center next year, his natural position, Brown in right, and Fransico in left.
amanpulo
06. Aug, 2011
Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it.
Fisheye lens
07. Aug, 2011
Where exactly may I purchase this program?
topsoil Hockessin
07. Aug, 2011
It does seem unfair to criticize Mama Grifter for her get rich or die trying attitude shes an exceptional American Republican Evangelical, not a Buddhist.
Best way to lose fat
07. Aug, 2011
Do you know this website is suggested by a number of other blogs? Great work. Thank you very much!
ensar bereket
07. Aug, 2011
THANK YOU POSTING
spybubble
07. Aug, 2011
Pretty element of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment or even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
mobile twitter client
07. Aug, 2011
Hello dude,i likes Ones site very much. accomplish u have on suggestion being my website? thanks for
Galvanni Shop
07. Aug, 2011
I am speechless. It is a excellent weblog and really enticing too. Nice work! That’s now not in reality a lot coming from an novice publisher like me, however it’s all I may say after diving into your posts. Great grammar and vocabulary. No longer like other blogs. You actually realize what you?re speaking about too. Such a lot that you just made me need to discover more. Your blog has become a stepping stone for me, my friend.
kindle
07. Aug, 2011
Very appealing information!Perfect just what I was looking for!. “The dream is real, my friends. The failure to realize it is the only unreality.” by Toni Cade Bambara..
uhaul
07. Aug, 2011
To be successful in this issue you have written about, one need to really devote time and energy into it. I worked on doing a research on it in my spare time and also you wouldn’t believe in the chances that opened up job wise. This is a excellent discipline and can lead to many exciting prospects. Thanks for sharing your secrets.
köpa hemsida
07. Aug, 2011
Some really nice stuff on this site, I love it.
hosting
07. Aug, 2011
I not to mention my buddies ended up reviewing the good strategies on the blog and suddenly I got an awful suspicion I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for those secrets. All of the men are actually as a consequence joyful to learn them and have extremely been taking pleasure in them. Appreciation for indeed being so thoughtful as well as for deciding on this form of extraordinary information millions of individuals are really needing to understand about. My honest apologies for not saying thanks to sooner.
Fisheye lens camera
07. Aug, 2011
Lol, My pc crashed when I was browsing this website previous time I was here. And for the previous 2 days I have been searching for this weblog, so happy I found it yet again!
vcd islam
07. Aug, 2011
hi, thanks for the nice information about your writings this what i looking For ! by the way what desain that your site Use?
Luther Mcclish
07. Aug, 2011
An attention-grabbing dialogue is price comment. I think that it is best to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject however usually persons are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Ila Tomasulo
07. Aug, 2011
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of info that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
sexy girls
07. Aug, 2011
Bless you for this facts I was basically looking around all Google to be able to locate it!
real estate Wilmington de
07. Aug, 2011
[…] I bet not most of this. […]
Camzap 4
07. Aug, 2011
hi, thanks for the nice information about your articles this what i looking For ! by the btw what themes that your blog Use?
vacation rentals rehoboth beach delaware
07. Aug, 2011
Beautiful store — always a pleasure to see their displays. Top four right now would include:1) Butari Tray — organic designs, modern and earthy, love it2) Simone Daybed — substantial, practical, clean lines3) Marimekko Tamara Bed Linens — heavenly4)Laurie Cake Pedestal — retro design, very cute
topsoil west chester
07. Aug, 2011
Loving:1. Flare Mango Wood Bowl/Salad servers2. Chelsea Footed Cake Pedestal (I was actually looking for a square cake stand!)3. Merimekko bed linens4. Kendall Lidded totes
Chammak challo
07. Aug, 2011
I recently found your web site and possess been reading along. I figured I’d leave my initial remark. Nice blog. I’ll keep visiting this web site very frequently.
tablet android murah terbaik honeycomb
07. Aug, 2011
Hello dude,i liking A New website in truth a lot. achieve u have suggestion being my blog? thanks as
payday loans online
07. Aug, 2011
Wow, that’s a very nice read!
simons town self catering
07. Aug, 2011
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
crossfit exercises new york
07. Aug, 2011
Please tell me that youre heading to keep this up! Its so great and so important. I cant wait to read far more from you. I just really feel like you know so considerably and know how to make people listen to what you’ve to say. This blog is just too cool to become missed. Excellent stuff, genuinely. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
tapety zima
07. Aug, 2011
Appreciating the commitment you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
topsoil Wilmington
07. Aug, 2011
Whats so hard for Halladay to change his gameplan so hitters stop swinging early in the count? Hes supposed to be the best pitcher in baseball yet he hasnt seemed to made an adjustment since the hitters made one. Dont get me wrong, I like Halladay but for a pitcher of his caliber how hard is it to figure out not to throw so many strikes when you know guys will probably be swinging at the first or second pitch of the at-bat. Spike a pitch in the dirt, brush someone back, I dont know, hes probably smart enough to realize he needs to adjust but for whatever reason he hasnt.