My boyfriend and I are getting married after we graduate from college (in about 3 years). I have a very small income from a part-time job that will probably be the norm for the coming 3 years. I earn about $4500 total per year, and some of that is spent. My parents are supporting me. For my bf, it's about the same. How much does a modest but sufficient wedding cost? (Nice, with some family and friends but not extravagant... a nice dress and tux, a good reception...) When should we start thinking about saving for one? Please... if you have any other advice, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!
2006-11-28 13:09:53 · 23 answers · asked by reba 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
When you were two yrs old. ;) Weddings today are expensive. Typically a modern wedding is all about the guests and never about the bride and groom. So that means: food, food food, entertainment, and location! The happiness of the guests count more in a modern day wedding.
However, unless you are like me - simply start saving now. Also, you can always start buying things here and there and not all at once - that helps. Depending on the type of wedding you want, that's how you should budget. Shall it be huge and modern with extravagencies, three course meals, a band, flowers upon flowers? Or, shall it be small, intimate, where the only food is cake, punch, and finger foods and the only guests are close friends and family? Once you decide on the type and style of wedding you want, go from there. Also, think about things you can do instead of hiring someone to do. You can go to an art store and get invitations and create invites yourself. You can make DIY party favors. Simple things like that can really really save!
Remember - your wedding is about YOU and your soon-to-be-hubby. Don't feel obligated to pamper everyone else, instead, pamper yourself!
2006-11-28 16:35:31 · answer #1 · answered by Deedles 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be tradional to start saving at birth. That's what a hope chest was for, not so much money but things you wanted to have in your home after marriage. That said I can make a few suggestions that could lower your costs.
Buy a used tux, a rental is used anyway used is not only cheaper but he can keep it for other occasions.
The LDS (Mormon) church does not charge for performaning weddings (against their beliefs to charge for doing God's work) or the use of their chapel.
If you have a buffet style meal you, friends and family can prepare all foods way ahead and at much lower cost.
An engagement ring doesn't have to be diamond and as a result can not only cost much less but have a much more personal meaning for the two of you. My grandparents married during the depression and my Grandmothers ring was an aquamarine. You might consider moonstone it is said to represent true love.
Make your own centerpieces etc
Visit a senior's home, you will get more good and practical from people who have lived through rough times then I could ever think of
2006-11-28 21:35:25 · answer #2 · answered by Sid B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
With that income, you should have started saving 5 years ago. Girl, you need to find a better job or something. But, since you both not graduating for another 3 years, that's enough time for both to get a better job. What kind of job pays only $4500 for a total yr, even if it was a parttime. You need more than minimum wage. I'm sure though while you're still in college, after you're done with either your AA degree or your AS degree you'll find a better job if you put that down on your resume. My sister hasn't even received her AA or AS and she makes $12 for a call center, get a better job such as that until you finish the AA or AS. Don't wait til you complete college with your BA degree. And SAVE SAVE SAVE as if your life depended on it. PS. Make sure that man is saving the same amount as you or more each month.
2006-11-28 21:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by Tasha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start saving now! As you know cost of living goes up each year. If you are looking at getting married in 3 years, then you need to be prepared that costs in the future will be higher than they are now. Save as much as you can! Make sacrifices about things that you would normally buy. Put your Christmas/birthday money into your savings instead of spending it. If you want a nice day, you will need to make those sacrifices.
2006-11-29 01:14:35 · answer #4 · answered by Benji's Mommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can have a reasonably inexpensive wedding , instead of an expensive wedding dress try a regular dress store or JC Penny's ... Catering ,Very Pricey Try Sam's Club they can put something together within budget... and might i suggest not inviting everyone you ever met to the wedding only those close to you something more intimate I KNOW ITS ABOUT YOU but if your folks are not footing the bill . My wedding was wonderful and about 40 of the people closest and dearest to us at about 400$ for the hole thing Do you have a friend or relative with a nice backyard.
2006-11-28 21:29:20 · answer #5 · answered by SE7EN 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The average wedding is $20,000. That doesn't mean yours has to be. You can have a nice wedding for much less. Basically you need to figure out what you want your wedding to be like and estimate the costs. Then divide that number by 3 years and voila! You have an amount that you need to save each month to go towards your wedding. Congratulations and Good Luck!
2006-11-28 21:14:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Start saving now. Save as much as you can and start as soon as you can. What could be the problem with saving now? You have more money than you need? Have an even better honeymoon, or use it as a down payment on a car or a house!
2006-11-28 21:48:10 · answer #7 · answered by K S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
now would be a good time - even if both of you can only afford to put $50 or so dollars away per month you'll still save up a nice chunk of change to put towards having a beautiful wedding
2006-11-28 21:18:59 · answer #8 · answered by Angelina 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you only make $4,500 per year there is a lot to be done.Try buying things little by little and see if family members can cook for your wedding unless someone is paying for catering.The best bet is to buy things a little at a time.Weddings are expensive.
2006-11-28 21:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
are you sure that you two would be still together in 3 years when you two graduate? I wouldn't worry about it now, so many things could change within 3 years, and if you two do decide to get married in 3 years, you will hopefully have a higher paying jobs and will be able to afford something nice, but I think that your parents should be paying for your wedding, unless they can't. I hope I was helpful
2006-11-28 21:14:07 · answer #10 · answered by wantstoknow 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋