Seriously?!?!?

My wedding cost around $500, but that was almost 25 years ago. (About $1,000 in today's dollars) We were young and didn't have a lot of money, and the money we did save up went towards a down payment on a house.

If we had to do it over again we wouldn't change anything other than maybe buy a small wedding cake. ;)

They told us to figure 150.00 -300.00 a head when figuring on a wedding

I'm not married or feverishly planning a wedding, but the place that I've been looking at is whats going to be the big price tag, not only for the rental but the fact that they seem to 'require' to get the catering through them. I'd much rather have my own mother do the cooking since she's probably a better cook anyways. From what I can gauge right now, i'm looking at spending 10-15,000 which is why we're not getting married lol. BUT if my man ends up becoming some kind of baller big shot, i can see myself spending more :P

We just got married 1 year ago almost exactly. Here's the breakdown

License $100 (in FL)
Pastor $100 (kinda like a tip...)
His ring $75 (his pick, titianium ....)
Mine $399 (1/2 ct diamond band white gold)
My dress $250
His clothes $150 ish (no tux, nice slacks & button up)
Flowers $175 (used loads of large sunflowers)
Maid of Honor bought her own dress
Best man $100 (we bought not sure why)
Used our church free!
Printed our own invitations $50 + stamps
Hair & makeup $125 (Dillards Spa)
Pictures $200 (didn't buy actual pictures bought copy rights to all on a CD, so we can print as needed)
Cake $125 (served 45 people)

We invited all friends and family to join us for dinner and cake at Bozio's Restuarant at their own expense. EVERYBODY came! Nobody thought it strange or anything. The restaurant gave us our own private room and everything at no cost. They even set up and served my cake! (Its a really cool place, really hard to describe, look up on internet....)

So under $2000 and all done and was absolutely PERFECT!!!

Here a picture!! Sorry love showing off my Husband...LOL

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...s/img_0058.jpg

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/..._0051-Copy.jpg

$9,000

13 years ago, I planned my own wedding - made the invitations, decorations, and bouquets for me and all bridesmaids myself, bought my dress off the clearance rack (mostly because I love old style dresses) for only $99, my 2 bridesmaids and matron of honor made their own dresses (same colors and similar styles - looked really nice), and we were married outdoors at a very nice park by a JotP who was a friend of his family. The tuxes for him, best man and attendants were rented, and the meal was 'catered' by a great BBQ place.

The main expensive things were
the cake (professionally made at his insistence)
our wedding bands (matching gold celtic knotwork)
the photographer (he wanted a professional, and they did turn out nice, but we only have the proof copies cause the guy disappeared before we could get prints)
the rental of the park for the day
the day at the JCPenny Salon for hair, makeup and mani/pedicure for me (his insistence, but it was nice)

Even though I did a lot myself and cut as many corners as I could, I was still shocked that it cost so much. :) He paid for everything out of an inheritance, but still...
And yes, we're divorced now. Still close friends and all, though, and he and my partner are best friends. :D
If I were to ever do that again (and I won't) I know now what to do cheaper. :)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ddingDress.jpg

Just got married a month ago yesterday. In total our wedding cost somewhere around 20k. That includes everything from the Hall, DJ, photographer, invitations, favors, wedding dress, tuxedos, limo's, flowers...EVERYTHING.

We had a small wedding in our living room before moving in to our new house. Justice of the Piece showed up which was going to be ($150) but he called and said if he can come an hour early it would be free, we were ready, and all the 20 guest was already there so he didn't charge us. We did nice jeans in a White T-shirt for all guest and wedding party.

We decorated for almost nothing, used candles the family had, and borrowed some accessories like fake trees, vases, and flowers from the furniture store I worked at (with approval of course), and hung white lights on them. My mother in law bought the vale, bouquet, and table decorations (which was for two long tables, and consisted of table cloths, flower petels, and floating candles)

The reception was free at the local FOP since we worked for the PD. It was catered but was purchased as a wedding gift for us by my husbands grandpa, and my father-in-law bought us the local honeymoon sweet at a nice hotel.

Personally I don't like being the center of attention. I am kinda shy, so this wedding was perfect for me. We had been engaged for about 1 1/2 years and I was planning the big wedding, picking out locations, and dresses etc. But decided i would rather be married when we moved into our new house so we did a quick and cheap wedding instead. I loved it. Close family and friends only. Very relaxed and we got enjoy the reception. Best part NO DEBT. :0)

Congrats, and good luck.

Here is a picture. Sorry it was before my digital camera days and the scan didn't do such a great job.
[IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/..._8204932_n.jpg[/IMG]


I know my cousin is getting married next month at the Gazeboo in the local rose Garden. They got the place for free and it is outrageously beautiful, already covered with beautiful red roses. I am going to do their pictures for free with my new DSLR. I am even doing engagement photos for them like these ones I did for my sister.
http://photobucket.com/AlyssaandDerik

My point is Check with your family and friends and see if they have a hidden talent, but is sounds like you are already doing that with your art friends.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scubaf250

Anyone mind sharing how much Their weddings cost?

It says online that the average wedding costs 20 something thousand!! I realize this isn't something that's gonna be cheap but I doubt were going to be able to sling that kind of money around... =/

---

The thing about averages is that ridiculously proportioned individual data points can swing the total average. On top of that, it's in the wedding business' best interest to hype how expensive weddings can be, so that people don't try to be even more frugal when they look at the numbers.

Take out your top 5% and bottom 5% outliers, and you'll probably find that the average wedding costs more like $10,000.

The two best ways to keep wedding costs down:

-Small venue
-Fewer guests

There's nothing wrong with small weddings, or even getting married at the courthouse and having a celebratory party/reception at a restaurant, or in your back yard! It's not worth throwing yourselves into bankruptcy just for a single night that conforms to the standards that are portrayed in the media.

If you HAVE to have lots of people and don't have the money for it, DEFINITELY try for some kind of backyard venue in the country. The guests will understand.

I'm only 22. Not planning on getting married for a LONG time. But I have attended at least 10 weddings so far and more planned in the future. (Large Asian family)
Each wedding was around the average you stated. Give or take a few Ks.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk