What is the average budget for a wedding?

Question

We're expecting about 150 people. About twenty five tables. Very small, nothing too fancy. I just want an average of what some couples pay.

Answer 1

We need a little more information. Where will it be? Inside? Outside? Time of the year? I'll help if I can.

Answer 2

From the wording of your question, I wasn't sure if you are going to have your guest sitting at their dinner tables for the ceremony as well (so it leads right into the reception), or if you are having a ceremony in one place and reception somewhere else. As far as the catering/food goes, I have received quotes from $14 - $20 a person for a buffet style heavy hour devours; that includes food, tables, linens, serving pieces, set up, clean up, staff to serve, everything you can imagine.

I live in the South and I'd say a good average here is $12,000 - $22,000. I'm thinking total budget: rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, flowers, photography, videography, food, venues, attire, gifts, stationary/stamps, rings, cake, accommodations, limo, rentals, etc.

Answer 3

This is a tricky question. Avg = what you can afford without throwing yourself into debt.

Some people will pay 2000 dollars...some people will pay 6000 (thats what I did) and some people will pay 20000 (or more) to have the wedding of their dreams

Answer 4

I can't tell you an average cost because people's tastes differ and some are more flashy than others. What I can tell you is to keep it simple and leave out anything that really isn't necessary. I notice people tend to watch these reality TV shows and think they "have to have" or "we NEED to get this", when in reality it's not an essential part of the day nor will anyone really remember it anyway. Save wherever you can! There is an awesome website where I bought my wedding dress and it only cost me $150! I'll admit I was nervous about ordering my dress online, but let me tell you, it was elegant classy and exactly what I wanted. Go to http://www.bridalonlinestore.com Their prices are unbeatable and their wedding gowns are really beautiful!

Answer 5

Here is a wedding budget calculator:

http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-b...

and wedding coupons http://www.topweddingsites.com/coupons/i... to get you going.

Answer 6

I got married this past May...we spent approx. $6500 for 100 people.  Sit down dinner/reception.

Answer 7

Gosh, I'm starting to loath this question.  Bottom Line, there is no average.   Think about it, everyone makes a different salary, everyone pays a different amount in bills, everyone has a different amount of disposable income, everyone has different priorities.  What's a waste of money to one couple, is chump change for another.  What's inexpensive for one couple, is too cheap or poorly done to another.  

I'm from the Northeast and I'll say for a wedding of that size, about $20.000.   Now, some people might agree with my 110%, while others will laugh and say, "she's wasting her money"  But, either way.  It's not for anyone else to comment on.    People are different.   I would not expect someone from rural Virgina, with no college education and making $8 an hour to have a wedding of that size.  

I'm not saying that those people are bad and I'm not saying I'm a snob because I want to have a $20,000 wedding.   I'm simply saying, we all live different lives.  I might live a completely different life than someone in rural Virgina, just like I'm not as rich as someone living on the Upper East Side of Matthattan.   You can't ask for average, you need to figure out what works for you.

Bottom Line..... price out what you want and figure out what you can afford.   It's your money and your life.  Don't worry about the average.  

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Answer 8

My fiance and I are currently planning and we have found that there is no such thing as "average" cost.  Banquet weddings can "average" $15,000 - $50,000.  Cost depends on more than just on number of people -- location, day of wedding, open/closed bar, cost of catering etc -- all these items can balloon costs.

What we did instead is set a budget that we could afford, then we are planning around our budget.  If you are really set on a set number of guests, you may want to create a wedding budget.  Create an excel spreadsheet and plug in some numbers.  Or you can plan the wedding that you want and adjust your guest lists based on what you can afford.

Good luck and happy planning

Answer 9

Tips on having a low budget wedding:

1) Stay away from the wedding season months. These months include (in the order of most popular):

                        August

                        June

                        July

October is becoming a very popular wedding month for those who have wanted an autumn wedding.

2) Whichever season of the year you choose to get married, try to get flowers from that specific season. If you decide to purchase off-season flowers, it could cost a lot more.

3) Instead of getting a florist to make your flower arrangements, why not gather your best gals and make them your own? I've found a couple wholesale flower websites, and I have decided to purchase my roses wholesale. It is much cheaper than getting them from a third-party company. This is the best way to get them directly from the people who grow them!  This is where I am getting my roses from: http://www.rosesource.com/White_Roses_s/...

Also, you're going to need the vases, so you can get those at a wholesale price as well. This is where I'm getting mine:

http://www.efavormart.com/36whitetowerva... The best part, they have them in many sizes and shapes best to suit your wedding style.

4) When making your centerpieces, instead of using real flowers underneath the rest, use the silk fillers. They won't even show since they will be below the real flowers and they will be "fillers". I like these best: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/larsincarc...

5) The only stationary you truly need to get printed professionally is your invitations. Instead of getting your save-the-dates, menu's, programs, thank you cards, etc. printed professionally as well, just get some nice designs online and invest in a good printer (that will be yours even after the wedding) and purchase some heavy-stock paper from a wholesale or even Office Max/Office Depot.

6) You might have a lot of friends, but keep the bridal party to a minimum. Honestly? $20-$50 gifts for each of your bridal party members can really add up the over-all cost of your wedding.

7) If you want little lights (like white Christmas lights) make sure you buy them AFTER Christmas. The stores want to get rid of them ASAP, therefore, they will be cheaper.

8) The day of the week and the time of the day is very important in what the cost of your wedding will be. Aim for a Friday or Sunday Night (Sunday being the cheaper day.) Stay away from Saturday's!

9) Many wedding venue's give you a discounted rate if you have BOTH your Ceremony and your Reception at their location. That is more suitable for couples on a budget, and for the comfort of your guests as well.

10) You can still have a very classy wedding reception dinner without having the 7-course meal. Opt for the less-expensive meals, decide on a full-sit down wedding or a buffet style wedding.

With all these things considered, the "Average" cost of weddings today range anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. Every couple is different. Keep in mind, the more people you invite, the higher the cost of the wedding. (You need to count the amount of favors, size of the cake and meal, number of chairs, china, silverware and tables, etc. etc.

If you want personal accounts, I can tell you about my upcoming wedding:

Our budget is $50,000 but that is because we have invited 400 guests. You are lucky you're able to invite 150 guests. You won't be broke after your wedding! :) (JK, We've saved for our wedding since we became a serious couple, so we can afford it.)

Whatever you do, Do not take out a loan. I know "wedding credit cards" are the new thing, but they're also the newest way of starting off a wonderful life in debt.

Good luck!! :)

Answer 10

$25-30K. All the best!  

Answer 11

My fiance and I are having about 100 to 150 people. I'm trying to get away with around $7500.00 and its tough. So, I would say at least $10,000.

Do some research and do some things yourself...save some money.

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 12

I saw a commercial on TV and they said it was about $28,000. I'm not sure how many people that $28,000 would accommodate. I've seen budgets between $5,000-$8,000 for about 150 people. I've seen less. It really does depend on alot of factors. Time of year, time of day, month, day of the week, morning, afternoon or evening wedding, area of the US where you live plays a HUGE factor. It would look at your budget,a nd then go from there. Good luck. :)  

Answer 13

I am getting married in 3 weeks.  Our wedding will cost us approximately $12,000.00.  We are paying for this ourselves.  Part of the cost for us is hotel accommodations and attire for the wedding party (they are our children and broke).  It's a lot of money, but very important to our family.  Congratulations and best wishes.