What did your wedding cost?

[LaraK]

I'm watching a show on WE and they were just talking about a "budget" wedding...the price tag was $37,000

That's four times what I paid for mine!

What did you pay for yours? (poll to follow)

 

[Michelle67]

$37,000 is a BUDGET wedding?

Our wedding cost right around $1000, and that included the rings and our clothing. The only real expense was the caterer, who was the husband of one of my husband's coworkers and cut us one heck of a great deal.

 

[freckles and boo]

We were in grad school and eloped. It was about sixteen years ago but from my recollection -

Rings - about $350 for both
Dress - $65
Shoes - $15 (Payless )
Hat - $35
New tie and pocket hankie for husband - $40
Marriage license - $10
Lunch after elopement at Chinese restaurant $85
Two nights at a lodge $200

Approximate total - $800

However, my very pissed off mother-in-law forced a reception on us two months later that probably cost her at least $10,000.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

ours was probably around $4500 when all was said and done...we had a small wedding with only about 20-25 people in attendance, but a lot of our money went toward amazing photography!! my dress was a bigger expense, but also pretty cheap and almost $1000 went toward the 2 cakes.


edited to add that this was 3 years ago...


I see a lot of those wedding shows and can't believe the insane "budgets" these people have...

 

[hiwaygal]

Depending on where you live, $37k could be considered "budget".

I got married at Disney for about $5000 (that included airfare, resort, everything!)

My cousin spent over $60k, but that was in California.

And on those shows, well...some of those people spend $30k for photography alone!

 

[mr.bungle]

just about $10k. the honey moon to WDW with plane tix and spending money was around $7k

 

[Papa Deuce]

I'm watching a show on WE and they were just talking about a "budget" wedding...the price tag was $37,000

That's four times what I paid for mine!

What did you pay for yours? (poll to follow)

I would say, including a honeymoon, 20K.... 222 guests. Nice place, open bar.... "I" would rather have had it at a fire hall and saved $15K.... but you know women..... ( runsforcoverandhides )

But I also worked as a Co-DJ for a wedding in New Hope, PA, that easily topped $150K.

 

[Mysteria]

Around 3000 not including rings. I had to rent a hall in Brooklyn which was a large amount of it.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I have no idea - after all these years my mom still won't tell me. I know just the basics - how many invites went out & how much my dress cost that's it. I dont' think she wants my father to find out - even though it's been almost 15 years!

 

[singingpixie]

I wonder if some of the wedding budget figures are skewed by geographic location. I just got back today from a friend's wedding. Both the bride and groom are from Long Island, middle class families, not wealthy at all. It was easily the most expensive event I've ever attended- 35 different kinds of hors douvres (sp?), premium open bar the whole night, 10 piece band for the dinner (plus a jazz combo for the cocktail hour- they're both musicians), 150 guests, amazing plated dinner, dessert trays in addition to the cake. I can't even fathom how much that cost, especially when you consider that everything is more expensive in the NYC metro area.

Here in Northern VA you'd be hard pressed to serve dinner and basic drinks (wine/beer/champagne toast) for 100 on a 10,000 budget for the whole day. My guess is that if I were to do a dinner reception when I get married (nothing fancy, just a basic meal with a DJ and dancing) it would cost $15,000. I'm not sure if that's the route I'd go or not, but it's what I've gathered from the research I've done.

 

[phorsenuf]

Lets see, rings were a couple hundred, if that. My dress was $14.99, wore shoes I already owned, hubby had a suit, a couple roses (maybe $10.) and whatever we had to pay the JP.

My dad took us out for lunch after.

We eloped (in case you didn't figure that one out, LOL) Invited our parents the night before, after my brother called and yelled at me.

 

[freckles and boo]

But I also worked as a Co-DJ for a wedding in New Hope, PA, that easily topped $150K.

My husband worked for an event lighting company right out of school. They did some CRAZY expensive NorthShore weddings. There were some where the floral alone topped $100K.

 

[TLSnell1981]

DH and I were married in his parents home....under $1k.

The average wedding in my area is $40k.

DD is getting married in June....destination wedding. Don't ask. DH doesn't want to "know" how much it's going to cost.

 

[mvazul]

And on those shows, well...some of those people spend $30k for photography alone!

I'd like to find some clients like that. I only charge $700. That's from the moment they start getting ready until the moment they leave the reception. And they get a 24 page, leather album (with pictures) in that price. I need some of those $30,000 people to come see me!! I'm pretty sure we could find a middle ground!!

Our wedding - almost 9 years ago - was right around $5000. That included everything. Even a sit-down dinner with prime rib and open beer and wine in a nice hotel.

Michelle

 

[luvmyfam444]

I got married at Disney for about $5000 (that included airfare, resort, everything!)

WOW you got a deal! I checked into Disney when we got married & I remember it being outrageously priced. Of course I wanted the carriage & the works! LOL BUT then again that could be my mom that was trying to talk me out of a WDW wedding. I may still have the brochures around here from way back then - I'd have to hunt for them though.

All I can remember my mom was saying was yes you can have a WDW wedding with no friends/wedding party (cause they wouldn't be able to afford to get there) or have a wedding out our church with everyone we know invited. So I chose the later & had a decent size wedding - only about 1/2 of the invites came and like 6 people I asked to be in the wedding said no (2 were my sister in laws that were pregnant & didn't wanna look fat in the dress!)

 

[Mom2Satan&Daisy]

Just under $10k. (12 years ago)

That includes a church wedding, small reception at my MIL's house(catered)

dress, his ring, flowers, limo, photographer, tuxes, etc.

oh...and $3500 of that was a WDW Honeymoon. (we did the deluxe plan)

 

[binny]

under $1000. not including rings (which were still cheap, brother was a jeweler at that time) The church was free (dad was the pastor and this was our sister church) Minister gifted us his time, Flowers were done by a local church gal for under $150. Cake was about $200 I think. Food probably $100 (just cake and finger foods), Dress was $350 including the veil. invitations were done by mail order I dont remember how much they cost but it wasnt much.

I'm amazed I remember that much. My dad died the day I sent out the invitations. I think I remember stuff before that. The day itself is a blur.



Now our second wedding cost about $4000. We renewed our vows on the beach at sunset in Hawaii for our 10th anniversary. That includes everything a week in Hawaii, minister photographer and food for the week.



I wish SOME people would spend as much time and money on the marriage as they do on their wedding. Its one day compared to a lifetime.

 

[cruellababy]

Ours was 32,000 in 2000; with the honeymoon added it was over 40,000. I had the most amazing day-our friends and relatives still comment as how it was the most wonderful wedding they had ever attended.

 

[OhMari]

I venture over to the Wedding boards on the DIS for couple that get married at WDW.
Wow, some of those weddings run 30K-50K.
When we were at WDW in Nov. 08, I saw 6 different couples get married.
One at the Beach Club, down on the Beach.
One in Epcot early in the morning.
On at the Adventuers Club for DVC members.
Pavillion over at the Grand Floridian.
A couple just got married at the MK, we entered early for our Keys to the Kingdom tour.
Our last one was at POR over to the bridge by the Windmill food court.
My dh was wondering what the heck?

 

[hiwaygal]

I'd like to find some clients like that.

I think most of them probably live on the west coast.

WOW you got a deal!

Nope, no deal - just the regular Escape/Intimate package that Disney does. It has changed since I was married (three years ago) but it is still possible to get married at Disney for under $10k