how much on average does a simple wedding cost a person? and is it still customary for the girls parents to pay for it? if that isnt a possibility, is there another option?
2006-07-12 08:59:47 · 7 answers · asked by jessie 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
My wife and I spent about $1500 on our wedding. That included a photographer, the church and reception facility and pastor, the food (meat, cheese, & crackers from Costco), flowers for the church (rented silk and some fresh), rented tuxes and bridesmaid dresses, and the wedding dress (materials only, grandmother made dress). We had approximately 100 guests, friends, and family. This is probably almost the bare minimum for a simple formal wedding.
It is traditional for the parents of the bride to pay for the wedding and the parents of the groom to pay for the rehearsal dinner. My wifes parents gave us $500, my parents gave us probably about $200, the rest we came up with ourselves.
Since my wife's family wasn't that well off we did ask my parents if they could help a little and they did.
The best other option I would recommend is to elope and take the cash gifts to help pay for your honeymoon. It is a lot less stressful and if we were to do it all over again that's how we would do it. Or we might just have family attend at an outdoor facility and make it a potluck.
2006-07-12 09:17:56 · answer #1 · answered by Fullarmor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just got married! We spent over 10,000 and scrimped a lot. It is still customary for the girls parents to pay for the reception (food) and it is expected that the boys parents will pay for the rehearsal dinner and the bar tab during the reception. You could do most of it yourself such as flowers, order them from costco. Get a dress that is marked down and don't bother looking at the nice expensive ones or else you will want it! Some people load up an ipod and just play that. Have an outdoor wedding, ask around if your family knows anyone that can marry you. You would be surprised at who is willing to help you if your family can not help to pay for it. Or who knows who that does music etc...Also never pay the asked price. I planned my wedding so fast that a lot of halls were bargaining to get me. Some halls were willing to throw in the cake or take off percents, I went back and forth with them on prices to get what I wanted! Whatever you do make sure that you do the pre marriage counseling. It really helps when you have problems.
2006-07-12 16:52:58 · answer #2 · answered by michiganwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wedding can be as expensive or and inexpensive as you want it to be. Now days though, alot of couples pay for the weddings themselves, with some help from both sets of parents. My wedding 5 yrs ago cost about $6,000. We had invited only close friends & family to the ceremony and had about 120 people at the reception. We held the reception on a Friday night because many places will either give you a discounted rate on their room or give you free food for your dinner. We had buffett dinner, which also cut down on the cost of the wedding. (But had salad & soup served by waitstaff). For your flowers you can save money by making sure you pick flowers that are in season. If you have anyone in your family talented, maybe they can make your wedding cake. Other talented family members can make your table centerpieces. Just remember it's not about how much you spend, it's about who you're spending it with.
2006-07-12 16:09:20 · answer #3 · answered by teddie_time 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weddings cost as much as you want them too. I just went to a wedding last weekend where the grooms parents paid for everything, it was quite extravagant!
Then I have seen where the bride and groom pay for most, it just really depends. You can have a really nice wedding, and not pay big bucks for it..
Check into wedding books and get some ideas..... Just have fun doing it, make it memorable, thats the important thing!
2006-07-12 16:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how large your guest list is, whether you will be using a church or Justice of the Peace, and whether it is a brunch, luncheon, dinner, or buffet style.
A church can run you around $500 just for using the church and priest, and they also ask for a donation. A JOP will generally charge around $50.
A brunch or luncheon style is generally less expensive, but if you prefer a dinnertime meal, buffet usually is the less expensive option.
As for the parents of the bride paying, that isn't as customary as it used to be. Most of my friends who are married paid for their own weddings, though my parents will be paying for mine.
Congratulations on the wedding, and I hope this helps!
2006-07-12 16:09:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 10k for 120 people
500 for dress
500 for bridemaid dresses
100 for minister
100 for court costs
1500 in flowers
1200 photographer
1000 videographer
700 party favours
500 centerpieces
2000 for food
1000 liquor
500 for wedding cake
1500 for reception venue
1000 for DJ (2000 for band)
300 Limousine
1200 catering service (chair rental, silverware rental, servers, etc)
300 invitations
Oops, I am alrady way over 10000!
2006-07-12 16:18:17 · answer #6 · answered by Blunt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a judge or minister and pay them $50.00 for the ceremony. That the cheap way!
2006-07-12 16:10:11 · answer #7 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋