How much wedding will $20,000 buy?
Weak economy doesn’t deter U.S. couples
When Heather Colburn and Greg Neil began planning their wedding, they had two goals: spend no more than $20,000, and invite 270 of their closest friends and relatives.
They accomplished both on May 26 with careful and creative planning. “We chose what was important to us and cut back on areas that were not,” says Colburn, who saved on her dress, flowers and other expenses.
Despite a still weak economy, American couples are spending more on weddings. The average nuptials cost $27,021 in 2011, up from $26,984 in 2010, according to a survey by wedding planning website TheKnot.com.
While there is great variety on what kind of wedding you can put on, Laura Ursin, a wedding consultant who runs Brides on a Budget, in Madison, Wis., has a rule of thumb for figuring costs: “When you plan your wedding, add two zeros to your guest list.”
Fortunately there’s a budget for every couple.
A BACKYARD FETE
FOR $5,000 Plenty of people spend $5,000 or less, but these celebrations typically are simpler and smaller — something around 20 people, Ursin says. The venue is often a private location like a relative’s backyard or garden. Food is simple — think barbecue — or light, like appetizers, wine and perhaps a champagne toast.
Many wedding dresses in small weddings match the casual atmosphere, with the price capped at $500-$1,000, Ursin says, who spent $800 on her own wedding dress. AT $20,000, SERVE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
While $20,000 sounds like a lot, it’s not if the crowd is large. Just ask Colburn, 36, and Neil, 30, both residents of Madison.
They rented the Madison Children’s Museum, which allowed them to bring in their own food vendors.
The couple reduced the open bar expense by offering the bride’s own favourite cocktail (a mixture of vodka, lime and club soda called a Smitten Kitten) along with wine for three hours during the reception. Beer was served the rest of the night, and all other drinks were offered in a cash bar. THE $50,000 BIG CITY
WEDDING
If you’re getting married in a big city like New York or San Francisco, be prepared to pay a big-city premium. On average, couples in Manhattan, the most expensive location in the country, spent $65,824 on their weddings last year, according to TheKnot.com.
But couples also pay more for special foods, flowers and display. For example, a decadent “dessert bar” to satisfy foodie couples can add $12-$15 per person for many venues, while a traditional wedding cake can be $3 per slice.
$100,000 Want every guest to enjoy crab claws and oysters during the cocktail reception? You may be paying $100$150 per person, depending on the location.
Sarah and Mando Leal were married in Houston in November, just before they threw a reception to remember at the Petroleum Club. The budget, which included accommodations for some of the 310 guests, as well as some big ticket items that offered that “wow” factor, was close to $125,000.
Sarah’s silk and satin ivory dress cost around $6,000; she spent a couple thousand more on her diamond necklace and earrings.