Whether you're rich or
poor, or somewhere in between, there is a wedding to suit every pocket.
The cost of a wedding depends a great deal on the number of guests and
the class of the location for the wedding reception of meal, and the
chosen menu. To give a number is complicated, but nowadays the typical
total wedding cost ranges between $25,000 US dollars (20,000
Euros or £15,500 UK pounds) and $50,000 (35,000 euros or £31,000). The
main proportion of this goes toward the wedding meal, which comprises
more than 55% of the total cost on average. 11% is
destined to be spent on the clothing, this being the wedding dress,
groom's suit, shoes and accessories. Around 9% will normally
go toward the honeymoon.
The
Wedding Meal and Reception
Few couples scrimp on
this part, as while other details can be unnoticed by the guests, if
they have a bad impression of the banquet, the wedding may be
considered a failure. Therefore,
the most
important part of the budget is destined for the food, whose average
cost for about 100 guests is usually at least
£11,000.
In order to obtain an
indicative budget for how much the total cost of the banquet will be,
we can estimate that, on average, a meal and free
bar will cost about $125 per guest, whereas the same items in a wedding
with a higher budget would cost an average of $190 per guest. The wedding cake itself can cost between $200 to $600, depending on how many layers it has, and how fancy the design.
Drinks
and a Dance
If the celebration is at
night, there is no wedding that goes without music and probably a free
bar too, although if you're looking to save costs, a bar where guests
pay is normally considered acceptable these days in most countries, as
long as there is at least a free drink included with the
meal. If providing a free bar, the drinks usually
cost an average of between $12.50 and $17 per person, although there
are some places that will allow that the bride and groom to bring their
own bottles of drinks
Your choice of music at
the reception can be from a virtual infinity of styles and
variations. You will be able to choose from a small orchestra which is
likely to cost around $860 or quartet of Irish bagpipes charging around
$550 to the town's municipal band who may only cost you a tip and a
small aperitif.
Hiring a disc jockey to
provide the evening with musical entertainment is a choice which has
increased in popularity over recent years. A good DJ will
cost around $600 for the evening. As all of these musical choices are
around the same level of expense, the final choice is likely to be down
to personal preference of the wedding couple and their immediate
families.
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The
Wedding Dress and Groom's Suit
In order for the bride
to go dressed white and radiant there will be a price to pay, which
will typically be from $1,400 to over $8000. To this must be added the
necessary accessories of a good purse, shoes and bouquet
which adds up to roughly another $500. A good hairdo and makeup will
add about $250 more.
The groom naturally must
also dress for the occasion and, although usually in black and more
humble his clothes will probably cost an extra $650.
Church
Flowers, Music and Wedding Video Cost
The church, registry
office or courthouse should be decorated for the wedding day.
A few bouquets of flowers distributed around the place by the church or
the court, will create a significantly better ambience at a cost of
around $350. The accompaniment of the Wedding
March will
cost approximately $250. The special occasion will need to be
immortalized, so you should prepare for a charge of roughly
$1,300 to pay for the stills photographer and the photos.
These days, a movie of the big day is desirable as well. The wedding
video cost will be around the same again as the photography charges,
in other words a further $1300ish.
If the budget allows,
the rental of a good car or limousine will cost about $400.
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The
cost of a Honeymoon
This can vary
considerably depending on the length of time, location and degree of
luxury. Some couples may find it romantic to spend a week in
an inexpensive cabin at a nearby lake. Others may decide to
go to the other extreme and take a whole month or even more on a luxury
cruise or take an exploration on an African wildlife safari.
As an example in between these two extremes, the cost of an 8 day
all-inclusive luxury honeymoon at Carribean beach would be around
$3,500 plus you'd need to add a little more for a bit of
spending money.
The
Ultimate Wedding: Renting an Estate
Increasingly brides and
grooms are preferring to celebrate its wedding in an exclusive
location, away from the usual type of marrige, and choose an estate or
villa which may have particular charm and enchantment, and which may be
rented for the day.
The price averages
around $20 per guest, although the majority of these facilities charge
a standard tariff, regardless of the number of attendees. Such a
standard tariff can typically be between $2500 and
$8500.
If the plan is to hold
the celebration in a garden, tents will be necessary, with costs which
will vary depending on the grounds on which they are placed.
If a platform and carpeting are required inside the tent, the cost can
double. A normal tent, for one hundred people, with veil and curtains,
costs around $1,500. If heaters need to be installed, this is likely
to cost an extra $125 or thereabouts.
The company
organizing the event is in charge of laying the tables and
chairs with their respective adornments, as well as serving the food
during the celebration, that is to say, an appetizer, lunch or dinner,
snacks (sandwiches and party pastries) and tea, coffees or
hot chocolate. The price of such catering will be from $100
upwards per guest.
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