We’re coming up on the month of June, which means the wedding season is about to commence. June, July, September, and October are the most popular months for scheduling wedding ceremonies. Peak times vary according to climate. Most brides want to have a reasonable assurance of good weather, which for those of us in the North would be early/midsummer or early fall.
Weddings are currently a $50 billion industry. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is approximately $28,000. That’s a lot. of. money. If you are currently engaged or close to getting engaged, you and your fiancé need to carefully examine your respective feelings about (1) what the ceremony should look like and (2) what would be a reasonable amount of money to commit to the day. The money you don’t end up spending could be used for things you want more, such as a down payment on a home.
For most people, getting married ranks as one of the top 2-3 events they will experience in their lifetime. I can certainly appreciate the desire to have a memorable, magical day to celebrate. Let’s look at the three main parts of a wedding to see which part of the “trifecta” of your wedding day may be an area where you can generate the most savings.
The Ceremony
To get married, you need a license and someone to perform the actual service, whether it is a member of the clergy, a judge, or justice of the peace. The cost of the ceremony is going to vary greatly depending upon your choice, but at the end of the day everyone will still be legally “hitched.” If you don’t need elaborate decorations, vocalists, flowers, or musicians; the cost of this part of the service can be fairly modest.
Are any of you fans of the wedding “theme” shows on cable TV? You know what I’m talking about. The shows where brides-to-be are on a mission to find “the perfect dress.” I occasionally check them out; I like to see what styles of wedding dresses are currently popular, but I’m also interested to see what the women are willing to pay for the dress of their dreams. Most of the time, the dress is in the $2,000-$5000 range, but I’ve seen them retail for much higher dollar amounts. Fortunately, the national average for a wedding dress is just a little over $1000, but beautiful gowns can be had for even less if you are willing to buy from an auction site, clearance section of a bridal store, second hand bridal store, or seller sites such as Craig’s List.
The Reception
When you move on to the celebration part of your nuptials (i.e. the reception), the cost will be predicated on how many people attend and what you plan to serve them. Some brides are shunning the opulent, fairy-tale princess party in favor of a small, intimate gathering. Because men and women are marrying later-in-life than previous generations, most newly-wedded couples aren’t in need of traditional housekeeping gifts. One money-saving idea I love is to ask all of the guests to provide food for the reception. Instead of bringing a gift that the couple may not need or want, they are asked to provide a food item in one of their prettiest serving dishes. Guests are given an assignment (salad, entrée, side dish, etc.), and they bring the food in lieu of a gift. I don’t know about you, but I have been to many receptions over the years. The food is usually good, but nothing special in relation to the cost spent ($30+ per plate). I would rather eat home-cooked food that has been specially and lovingly prepared for the event.
The Honeymoon
Honeymoons are a $12 billion-a-year industry. Couples spend an average of $4,466 on their honeymoon. Again, this can be an area of savings if the couple wants to keep the expense lower. Some suggestions for lowering the cost of the honeymoon include the following:
• Choose an off-season locale (for example, somewhere that’s warm in the summer)
• Stay close to home, such as a local spa or bed and breakfast
• Consider cheaper modes of travel. Car? Bicycle (for all of you athletic newlyweds)??
• Use your credit card points or frequent flier miles.
Bottom Line?
A wedding is a big deal, but ultimately it is just Day One of what will (hopefully) be the beginning of a long and happy marriage. Plan what you want, feel comfortable doing, and can financially afford. Regardless, it is NOT unromantic to keep a budget in mind as you craft your special day.
