Can anyone tell me what is the cost for a decent wedding?

Question

I want to get married next year and i need to know how much should i expect to spend on our wedding. My boyfriend and I have been together for five years, but met eleven years ago. We both are students in college and have yet to establish our careers. I am going to write out a check list so if anyone can answer this for me i would greatly appreciate it. Remember this wedding for now has to be really inexpensive, so here goes my list.

Brides dress=

Grooms suit=

Church= Free his family owns the church

Catering=

Cake=

Accessories example... invitations,flowers, Limo

Am i responsible for providing the brides mates dresses, and if i have forgotten anything let me know. If you were married and you had an inexpensive wedding let me know how much you spent on your wedding. Hugs and Kisses Andrea!

Answer 1

Brides dress= You can find beautiful gowns on clearance. Mine was $200.

Grooms suit= $120+

Church= Free his family owns the church

Catering= My reception was catered for $1400(400 people), but that is really cheap. You could call some place like a Shoney's and see is they cater. If all else fails, buy a whole bunch of fried chicken and pay someone to make all the sides and drinks.

Cake= $200+ My aunt made mine for free.

Flowers= $300 for the flowers alone, but I had them arranged for free by some friends. To have then arranged it might be $800

Invitations= Mine were $200

Bridesmaids Dresses= You can go somewhere like Bergner's or Forever 21 to find dresses for way cheaper than a David's Bridal. Keep in mind that it is best to buy them so that they can be worn again.

Forever 21: http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?cat...

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?cat...

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?cat...

Chair/Table Rental= This can get expensive. Price differs from different companies. Mine cost around $400.

I think that my wedding cost less than $5,000.

The normal wedding cost $28,000

Be creative, and make things from scratch that would normally be bought already put together.

Answer 2

Depends on how many people.  Instead of thinking what a decent wedding would cost, think about what you and your boyfriend can afford and go from there.

For example, if you can afford a $30,000 wedding then you can get yourself a beautiful maggie dress for $2,000.

But if you can only afford a $5,000 wedding then you can get a beautiful bridal gown from Macy's for $100.

For inexpensive weddings, scale down on the number of guests as this affects pricing a lot.  Try looking for afternoon receptions as prices per person are typically 20-50% cheaper.

Answer 3

Me and my husband just got married on June 28th, in Weatherford, TX. We spent roughly 2500 but we cut alot of corners and people did some things for us. We had roughly 100 to 125 guests.

We didn't serve a sit down meal, just cake, punch, ice water, grapes, cheese, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberries, peanuts, and dinner mints.

A lady at the church provided our decorations, she already happened to have the stuff in the colors we wanted.

Someone let us borrow an archway.

We did a church wedding and held the reception there.

We used the greenery that the church had and didn't get any extra flowers.

We used flowers from grocery store for the center pieces.

I made the boutineers myself.

I got fake flowers for mine and my husband's best woman's bouquet, from Michaels for 12.99 each.

A friend of the family made the cakes for us. (If not go to walmart or grocery store for cake. Get a small tier cake and then a sheet cake, use a sheet cake for the grooms or get something like a german choc cake.)

We used grocery store flowers for the corsages, flowers on the bride's cake, and the greenery spray for the cake.

I splurged on my dress.  (It was 600 for the dress/veil/bra.  I borrowed a petticoat)  Alterations was 276.  this is the only thing I would recommend getting a quote on before you purchase the dress.  I probably would have gone with something different but no regrets cause the smile on my hubby's face was priceless)  I got my Tiara from Claires in the mall it was less than 15.00 where bridal shop wanted 100 or more.

Got my daughters dress at TJMaxx...cinderella communion dress for 39.99.

We made our invites on the printer, I got the kits from the craft store, found ours on clearance.

Got the flower girl basket and pillow for the ring bearer half price.

Use 40% off coupons that the craft stores send, joann's fabrics and michaels.

We borrowed linens for the tables from the church, ask your venue they might have them for you to rent or borrow.

We bought some of our decorations, napkins, rose petals from oriental trading.

I got the plates, forks, and cups from Sam's. Along with the mints and peanuts. Sam's had a huge 5lb bag for around 7 to 8 bucks if I recall on the mints.

Tuxes - I used Tuxedo Junction, my groom got his free with (4 other paid regular price to rent tuxes)  They were roughly 130 dollars, groom paid 45 for the shoes, vest, tie, socks and jewlery.

Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor- Generally they pay for their own clothing, shoes, ect.  If you can afford to help then pay for what you can or pay for the hair/make up if you want it a certain way.

LIMO - we didn't do this, we just Escpaed in our Escape.  And everyone else in the wedding party drove their own cars.  Its not a huge deal.

Catering - I got a quote for fajitas but it was going to cost like 700 to 1000 dollars and we felt we didn't have the budget to do it.  Shop around.  Ask the church for suggestions from previous catering that  they have used for church events, that is how I got my quote.

Answer 4

I can't help you on prices because i am planning my own wedding, but here are a few things. No, you are not responsible for the brides maids dresses, i was just in a wedding and i paid for my own. Also, i know you want inexpensive, but a few other things you might want to think about are: the photographer (if you need one), a dj or musician (if you need one). And i have been told that the reception halls and caterers are the most expensive things, so if you are having the reception at church at well, that would save, but obviously no alcohol is allowed there (my soon to be father-in-law is a pastor lol), but also if you had people like family or friends that would be willing to help with the food that would be a HUGE help...hope it helps and good luck :)

Answer 5

I shopped around a lot for good deals, and my whole entire wedding came out to $3000 for the first 35 people, and then an additional $30 for every additional person we'd have there..  That included a full buffet meal for everyone.

Answer 6

Hi, Andrea-

Well, I think that would all really depend on several factors:  First of all, how many guests would you expect to have there?  If you have a small wedding with only 50 guests or so, you could easily get away with a $5000 budget even for a very nice, tasteful wedding with all the trimmings.  However, a guest list exceeding 100 people is going to call for a bigger budget, say at least $10,000, if you expect to give them a full meal and have an open bar, etc.  So that's one thing to consider.  The costs of catering, cake, invitations, etc. all really depend upon how many guests you're inviting.

Another factor:  You said a "decent" wedding, but there are lots of types of weddings that can all be considered "decent," but the level of formality is going to dictate the costs.  Do you want a super-formal wedding with the big white dress and the tuxedos and floor-length bridesmaids' dresses, etc. with a big ballroom reception?  Then you're looking at about $10,000, minimum.  On the other hand, if you would consider a more casual, informal affair with regular suits for the guys, tea-length dresses for the gals, and a catered BBQ reception at a local restaurant, then you're looking at less, maybe $2000 minimum for a 50-guest wedding.  These are the things you need to decide.

As for your dress, the level of formality of your wedding is really going to dictate the price of the dress.  For a big, formal, white wedding gown, you're looking at anywhere from $300-$10,000 just for the dress!!!!  (Maybe even more if you go with a designer)  But for a less formal, laid-back wedding, you could get a much simpler, elegant wedding dress for as little as $40, if you get creative and look in department stores instead of bridal salons.  Decide what kind of wedding you want, and your budget will evolve from there.

Answer 7

Try this link to give you an average for your area:

www.costofwedding.com

Good luck.

Answer 8

My maximum is $2,800 with 30 guests (plus us and 3 teenagers).  What you can do totally depends on how many guests you are having.  If you have little money, skip the limo, and consider just refreshments or appetizers after the wedding instead of any kind of sit-down dinner.  

Do not buy your wedding on credit. The first year is tough enough without having even more debt.

Brides dress - $75 (I'm making it ). Includes vest for groom.

Shoes $25 (gold slippers)

Grooms suit - he already owns a suit.

Chapel or restaurant wedding (predecorated for holidays) - $200

Officiant - gas and a meal. (he's a friend)

Wedding rings: We budgeted $1000.

Food - either appetizer reception at our house or sit down meal at restaurant and includes a glass of wine for toast. About $1,000.  

Wedding cake - $30; included free if we choose the restaurant venue.

Invitations - About $45 from Michaels and my printer

Flowers - $60 bridal bouquet only - other places already decorated with Christmas florals. If at my home, additional $30 in flowers from grocery store.

Limo- waste of money if budget is tight. We weren't getting one.

Photographer - this can be quite costly.  Other posters have suggested that I hire one studying photography from a local Community College. I'm thinking we will do that. Otherwise, the cost varies between $500 and $900 and doesn't include photos.

Hotel - if we use restaurant, we will spend the night at a hotel before the wedding.

Gas: $300.  No lie, today you almost have to include gas in your wedding budget especially if you live in a rural area.  If we have the wedding in St. Paul, that's 120 mile trip one way with 2 cars as all 3 kids won't fit in one.

As far as bridesmaids, we are not having any attendants.  We chose to have a more casual atmosphere so that people didn't think they had to spend money to dress up. With several members of my family disabled, an uncle with cancer and a Dad on oxygen, money is very tight.

Wedding cake. We are leaning towards getting a cake, possibly a sheet cake,  from either Sams or Costco if we have the reception at my home. While I used to be a cake decorator, my guy talked me out of making my own because of the recurrent arthritis problems I'm having (which is why I stopped in the first place). The restaurant has already told me that they will throw in a decorated 3 tier cake free.

Answer 9

Start with http://www.theknot.com. There's a budgeter there that gives you suggested numbers.

If you want to do the "big white" wedding, expect to spend about $70-150 per person, depending upon the time of year, day, food, alcohol, and lots of other factors.  

As others have mentioned, there are a LOT of ways to make the wedding cheaper.

* Keep the guest list limited

* Make alternative plans for the reception (appetizers only; have family members cook the meal; do a backyard BBQ, etc)

* Look on eBay and http://www.craigslist.org for recycled wedding accessories.

No, you are not responsible for the bridesmaid dresses or shoes (although you DO have to get them a gift).  You're not responsible for groomsmen tuxes either.

What are you forgetting?

PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER.  This can be extremely expensive for a good one.  DON'T trust your wedding photos to an "amateur" friend if you have any expectation of them turning out nicely at all.  Friends don't know how to capture weddings; even if they have pro-quality equipment, they usually never know how to use it well, they probably don't know how to pose people for portraits, and then you end up getting mad at them because you don't have a good record of how you looked at your wedding.

Musicians (if they come with the church you still have to tip)

DJ / Band for reception if you want it

Wedding Rings (Anywhere from $100 to $10,000 ... not including the engagement ring!)

Gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, spouse etc

Honeymoon!

POSTAGE for save the dates, invitations, thank yous

PAPER costs for programs, place cards, etc.

TIPS for limo driver (if you want a limo... wedding limo rates are crazy expensive) DJ, minister, caterer.

FAVORS at the reception

DECORATIONS if you have a reception venue with no decorations.

REHEARSAL DINNER

Marriage license (more than $150 in some states)

Makeup/hair/spa for bride. (If you've got long hair and want an updo, don't be surprised if you have to pay $100+ in a major metro area for "wedding hair.")

http://www.theknot.com has most of this stuff, and truly, a lot of it you can skip if it's not important to you. But you just have to consider it all, and determine how you can structure your wedding for maximum fun on an minimum budget.

I went to a wedding at my church and the reception was in the fellowship all in the basement.  No DJ; losemeat sandwiches, picnic side dishes, and cake were served.  Pretty much the whole congregation was invited, but I'm sure they did it all for less than $5 per person.  Or you can have a reception at your house, or just invite your 20 closest friends and family.  But make those decisions now!

Good luck!

Getting married in 10 days.

(P.S. how can a family "own" a church? Churches are nonprofit organizations...)