Seriously?!?!?

[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... =/

[mpkeelee]

for about 75 bucks you can go down to the town hall and get it all done in about 15 minutes. that is kinda crazy especially now with the U.S circling the drain. i guess this is where having a bride with a rich daddy comes in handy.

[sho220]

To each their own, but personally I think it's crazy to spend that kind of money on a wedding. I wouldn't feel right for the parents to have to foot that kind of bill, and it makes no sense for the couple to drop that kind of cash (or rack up that kind of debt) before they even say "I do"...keep it simple, kinda small, personal...you don't need to invite everyone you've ever met, and then feed them lobster and Kobe beef... Unless of course you're loaded...then do whatever you please...but in the end, it's not gonna matter... Seems like the more people spend on their weddings, the more miserable they are worrying about every little thing not being perfect...just my humble opinion...

[RondaH]

My husband and I spent $500 on our wedding. Granted, that was 19 years ago, but I did a lot of the work myself, purchased my dress on clearance, and had a potluck reception. In spite of our "cheap" wedding, I can guarantee you we are still in love 19 years later and have no regrets about the small wedding.

On the other hand, I had a friend spend $5000 on her wedding and 2 years later was divorced.

The size of the wedding doesn't matter. What matters is your love and commitment to each other. I wish you the best of luck!!

[purplemuffin]

If you still want one of those traditional weddings, it's easy to cut costs on certain things if you know people willing to pitch in. My art teacher got married and to help all of her old art students got together and created the decorations. They made fake flowers, gorgeous table decorations, all out of recycled materials but they turned them into incredible pieces of art--And that cut out a TON of money that would have been spent. On each table they had cool origami art, recycled materials turned into cool looking flowers, and fun decorations surrounding the room. She and her family made the invitations themselves and they were adorable and had that unique homemade flair! Same sorta thing goes for food and stuff. For some reason people always think that because it's a wedding they have to get catered food that is over priced, not very good, and not many people even like(Even the bride and groom themselves!)

My mom does photography and I've helped with several weddings. I've seen so many picky eaters suffer through trying to eat fancy foods that cost them SO MUCH MONEY and they hated anyway. Ridiculous! If you know people who do restaurant things sometimes you can get cheaper foods that will still please the crowd. Honestly the favorite wedding we ever photographed ordered chic fil a and dr. pepper as their food of choice. Awesome! But the point is, there are so many other choices than what they show you in those wedding books!

Honestly there are a lot of things that you can get cheaper, but people choose to overspend on their weddings. It might mean that you have to do some of the stuff yourself, or have family help, but I think that just contributes to the wedding anyway--You're putting all this stuff together for your own wedding and have help from people who love you! Sorta fun


There are some things that I personally am willing to spend money on--The dress and the cake(visit cakewrecks.com and look at the bad wedding cakes lol, I've actually gone to weddings with some of those failed wedding cakes! So frustrating!) But other than that I'd like most of the wedding to have that homemade artsy fun feeling. But that's my personal choice honestly. I am an odd shaped woman and honestly..Cheap dresses look like crud on me! I'm willing to spend the bucks to get something that is designed to flatter my body. But when it comes to all the other ridiculous details, I'd like to try to save a little bit!

[llovelace]

we spent about $40k on our wedding, and that didn't include the honeymoon. Everything is crazy expensive when it comes to weddings.

[sho220]

Everything is crazy expensive when it comes to weddings.

Doesn't have to be...

[mechnut450]

well I can say I looked at just simple things for when I pop the questiong to my gf and we were comparing rings and such and the one she liked the most was 200+ bucks but the wedding bands were a lot cheaper. I agree the cater food not always the best. having a pot luck type meat would rule cause there bound to be something there everyone likes. I just makes sure that people are not just bringing like soda , cups and napkins (been to one event and it was like 30 2 litters of cola and napkins and only 4 bags of chips for 40 people lol..

[ed4281]

I'm getting married next year and the budget is 6000. It's gonna be a small intimate affair with just immediate family and close friends. We plan on a small church ceremony and the reception is going to be at the westchester broadway theatre. 85 dollars a person and it includes flowers on the table and entertainment, I think this way I'm getting the most bang for my buck.

[AK907]

I think we might have had the cheapest wedding here. Less than $200.

We got married around 1:00am at the Stained Glass Chapel in Las Vegas in Feb. '09.

Cab ride: $20
Marriage license: $60
Wedding cost: $75-100 (I forget the exact amount)
Tip for the cabbie who was our witness: $20

Now if you count the honeymoon as well, which included 6 days in Las Vegas, plane tickets, everything: $3,000