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?”
Wireless HDMI
03. Aug, 2011
Hahah, My laptop crashed when I was reading this web site previous time I was here. And for the past 4 months I have been looking for this web site, so thankful I discovered it yet again!
bad credit car loans
04. Aug, 2011
You lost me, friend. After all, I imagine I am what youre saying. I recognize what you’re saying, nevertheless, you just seem to have forgotten that might be other sorts of folks inside the world who view this concern for it is actually and might perhaps not trust you. You might be turning away many people that may have been lovers of your respective website.
vpn download
04. Aug, 2011
I like Your Article about How Much Should My Wedding Cost? | Wedding Day Delights Perfect just what I was searching for! .
UGG boots Cheap
04. Aug, 2011
I couldnt now have required a good better blog. Youre available to present excellent advice, applying the purpose for straightforward perception of your readership. Youre really a terrific specialist in this particular subject theme. Thank you remaining there for those anything like me.
UGG boots Cheap
04. Aug, 2011
I’d been pretty pleased to search out this web-site.Needed to thanks in your own time just for this excellent read!! I positively having fun with each little part of it and Ive you bookmarked to consider a look at new issues you weblog post.
UGG boots Cheap
04. Aug, 2011
Here is a Great Blog You’ll find Interesting that we Encourage You
Robby Arrendell
04. Aug, 2011
Good day! I simply wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the good data you’ve here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
vz stock
04. Aug, 2011
I recently added your web page to my favorite features. I love reading your posts. Thanks!
Hai Strawbridge
04. Aug, 2011
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
hosting
04. Aug, 2011
Thank you for each of your work on this site. Kim really likes participating in internet research and it’s obvious why. All of us notice all about the powerful mode you deliver informative guidelines through this website and as well as boost response from other people on this subject matter while my child has always been being taught a lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the new year. You have been conducting a really great job.
watch lie to me
04. Aug, 2011
wow!! seriosuly one of the best posts ever! thanks for this! 🙂
Erkennungsmarken
04. Aug, 2011
You lost me, friend. After all, I imagine I receive what youre saying. I am aware what you’re saying, but the truth is just appear to have forgotten that you will find other folks into the world who view this matter for it really is and may perhaps not believe you. You will be turning away numerous people who may have been lovers of one’s website.
Custom Wheels
04. Aug, 2011
Keep it up! I think you’ll not care if I browse around your blog site a tad bit more. “Nothing is so good as it seems beforehand.” by George Eliot..
Cheap UGG Boots
04. Aug, 2011
I really like this blog layout . How can you allow it to become? It??s very sweet!
cheap webcam
04. Aug, 2011
(3 this blog! it has rattling good substance and info about pets , exactly what i needed so I bookmarked .
Cheap UGG Boots
04. Aug, 2011
I adore that blog layout . How does one cause it to be!? It??s cool.
lose weight program
04. Aug, 2011
Wow, incredible blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The overall look of your web site is great, as smartly the content material!
blog z tapetami
04. Aug, 2011
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange strategies with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.
cheap hotels in anaheim near disneyland
04. Aug, 2011
good succeed, will rear soon, excellent site congratulation
köpa hemsida internet
04. Aug, 2011
I am glad to be a visitor of this arrant weblog ! , thanks for this rare info ! .
Hipolito M. Wiseman
04. Aug, 2011
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Printable coupons
04. Aug, 2011
Thanks for this great post, i have bookmarked you!
Janyce Sjostrand
04. Aug, 2011
Would love to incessantly get updated great weblog ! .
ugg???
04. Aug, 2011
Hiya, I must say it’s a outstanding post. Ill definitely be seeking in on this Excellent! Your websites offers quite a bit comments. How have you get more and more people to look at your internet site Im very jealous! Im still becoming acquainted with information about blogs on-line. Im going to check around against your site for the better idea the way to do well. Thanks!blog again soon.
ugg ??
04. Aug, 2011
Terrific post, I’ve bookmarked these pages this will let you feeling I am back in it normally.
os chrome
04. Aug, 2011
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
ugg??? ??
04. Aug, 2011
Personally, I find that to generally be the most fascinating topics when it draws a parallel to.
opt in
04. Aug, 2011
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful information being shared freely out there.
Essie Monka
04. Aug, 2011
I am definitely bookmarking this website and sharing it with my acquaintances. You will be getting plenty of visitors to your website from me!
bankiet
04. Aug, 2011
http://poligrafia-24h.waw.pl/poligrafia,Katowice,namapie.html Poligrafia katowice
Fashion
04. Aug, 2011
It is a really funny western. Their accents even make it more funny. Jack Palance is cool. And Bud Spencer plays his favorite type of character as usual, smooth and rude at the same time. If you like But Spencer, watch this movie, its worth it.
Clifford Jurgensen
04. Aug, 2011
I have noticed that car insurance organizations know the cars which are at risk of accidents and various risks. Additionally, these people know what type of cars are susceptible to higher risk as well as the higher risk they have got the higher the premium price. Understanding the basic basics with car insurance will assist you to choose the right style of insurance policy that may take care of your needs in case you happen to be involved in any accident. Appreciate your sharing your ideas with your blog.
Tonisha Belzung
04. Aug, 2011
interesting blog thanks
Eulalia Maarx
04. Aug, 2011
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a number of websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
betting online
04. Aug, 2011
The information you provided here i will discuss extremely precious. It turned out a real pleasurable surprise to get that waiting for me while i awakened today. They may be constantly to the point and to understand. Thanks a bunch for the valuable ideas you’ve got shared the following.
UGG boots Cheap
04. Aug, 2011
You??ve got a great blog there keep it up. I??ll be watching out for almost all posts.
immobilien vermieten
04. Aug, 2011
Hey there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!
top 10 android phones
04. Aug, 2011
Dude.. My organization is not a lot into looking at, but somehow Managed to get to read a lot of articles upon your blog. Its amazing how interesting it’s for me to arrive at you commonly.
web hosting deal
04. Aug, 2011
What i don’t realize is actually how you’re now not really much more well-favored than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, produced me individually believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated until it’s something to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!
Josephine Cozzi
04. Aug, 2011
I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create such a fantastic informative site.
ugg??? ??
04. Aug, 2011
I gotta favorite this internet site it seems like very helpful handy
ugg??? ??
04. Aug, 2011
Keep up favorable work. Many people are opened to there opinion. Excellent blog here, now i’m still reaNice one! Great post you’ve written.
resorts puerto
04. Aug, 2011
I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them. – Herbert Henry Lehman
ugg??? ??
04. Aug, 2011
I was looking for this. With thanks.
nojo jungle babies
04. Aug, 2011
I just wanna comment that this site helped so much in finding the right information for my pet , I really prize the causes .
Crysta Benker
04. Aug, 2011
Great article mate, keep the great work, just shared this with ma friendz
First time Auto loans
04. Aug, 2011
I admire the valuable knowledge you offer to your articles. I can bookmark your blog and have my kids test up here generally. I am reasonably positive they will learn quite a lot of new stuff here than any one else!
nojo jungle babies
04. Aug, 2011
my animals was having a lot of problems, thank you for writing up this and helping me out.
ugg??? ??
04. Aug, 2011
How we have described this is very thorough. I will link your blog post page to mine.
Cheap UGGS
04. Aug, 2011
I really love your posting. Hope this blogpost helps other individuals. Sorry for the short review.