Wedding Costs

When you add up all of the costs of wedding planning – the flowers, the bridal gown, and the reception dinner – it can get expensive. The average wedding today for 150 costs anywhere from $15,000 and up, depending on how elaborate you get with the decor, food and flowers. Wedding costs vary a great deal, and how much you spend has a lot to do with how well you budget.

Some couples minimize costs by choosing an inexpensive destination wedding. Las Vegas is a great choice for couples on a budget. You'll pay airfare, hotel, and a low cost for the wedding chapel package. Other destination weddings can also be very affordable with a smaller guest list, but if you've got your heart set on a beachside Caribbean wedding with all of your friends and family, the wedding costs will be much higher.

Quality wedding invitations are about $1 each, although many are priced much higher. Invitations with ribbon, fabric or more complicated designs will cost more. Some discount wedding invitation companies can offer lower prices, or you can look into printing your own invitations at home. 

The wedding reception is where you'll spend the majority of your budget. More than one third of your wedding costs are related to the reception. Food and drinks cost the most at the reception, so this is one area where you can really cut costs. Choose cost-effective yet high quality menu items, and don't get carried away with too many entree options, or expensive dishes that drive up the cost. If you can't afford the traditional reception buffet or sit-down meal, get creative with a wedding brunch, barbecue or cocktail party.

The decorations and flowers are also a costly part of the wedding reception. Consider cutting floral costs by using artificial flowers instead of fresh. With the lights dimmed and candes on the table, you won't be able to tell that the wedding centerpieces are silk roses rather than real flowers. Hiring a wedding decorator will add to your costs, so if you can enlist your family and friends to help you string mini lights or arrange table displays, you can eliminate the fee for hiring a professional.

The costs of wedding entertainment can be quite different – if you hire a wedding band to play at your ceremony, guests' arrival at the reception and during the meal and dance, you'll pay a lot more than a DJ hired only for after dinner dancing. Some frugal couples use recorded music for the wedding march and the dinner portion of the reception. Then, the wedding DJ arrives and sets up for after the wedding speeches.

The cost of wedding favors can quickly add up, and are usually at least $1 per guest, and that's for very inexpensive favors. Most wedding favors are in the $2 and up range for a small paper box of candies, or tealight holder. You may get a discount for a bulk order, or find clearance favors on wedding websites. Again, if you're crafty you can reduce wedding favor costs and make or assemble your own.

Wedding costs are unavoidable, but how much you spend decides on how you stick to your budget!