How much did YOUR wedding cost?

[tmango]

although i was not responsible for the cost of my wedding, (inlaws paid), it would have been a net zero cost for my wedding, had we forwarded the gifts to the in laws.. so its not necessarily an urban legend. It did happen to me.

Although I would agree that it is not entirely commonplace.

[calina]

My brother's wedding back in 2000 cost $60000 in total (1200 guests). I don't know how the cost got so high... and how they managed to afford it all!

[swanson719]

My one year anniversary will be in a week. My in-laws footed the bill because I wasn't going to pay for everything my wife wanted, and she's an only child, so she's always gotten what she wants. That being said, her parents gave her a spending limit of $20,000. Pictures alone were nearly $6,000; however, this was a professional photographer, far beyond the quality of those you might see in the mall or a small shop. We had the catering and flowers done by the same company, which cost about $6,000 as well for the two combined. We weren't all that into flowers given a February wedding, and got more than we needed on the catering. There were roughly 150 people there, so about $35 a head on the food. The rehearsal dinner had 30 people, and cost about $20 a plate at a local mom and pop restaurant that had a decorated banquet room. The rental fee was included in the plate cost. The dress was $500, the tiara $75. Invitations were card stock we bough then took to a printer for $1.75 each, with 250 invitations - so $450 or so on them. We had originally planned for 3 bridesmaids and groomsmen, but ended up with 2. Still paid for 3 gowns, at $200 each. 6 Tux's cost $125 each, with the grooms free, so $600. The reception hall charged $1500, but provided a free bar for the first hour. Keg beer was $180 total. The limo was another $450. The table decorations were hershey bars with a custom wrapper we had printed up and put over the original wrapper - something like $250 for all the candy and wrappers. The church was $250. We didn't end up being able to take our honeymoon because I got deployed, but it was to be to Cancun, and was already booked, and that cost $150 for a plane ticket because it was a time share family had. Groomsmen gifts were pocket watches, flasks, knives, and a customized lighter. Bridesmaids, I don't even remember. All told, we ended spending $19,750 ish. There is no way we would have ever spent that kind of money if it was on our own dime, but my in-laws offered, and it's hard to say no to your bride to be.

[whitestripe]

This thread depresses me.

why?

[bobsandley]

I read to today in the Sydney Morning Herald of a couple who spent $64,000 aussie dollars on their wedding....which is outrageous. I hope they enjoyed it. My wedding two years ago cost $10,000 aussie dollars MAX including a honeymoon.

[LuxLiving]

The year was 1982 - Our rings cost $100 for BOTH gold matching bands, and whatever we paid the judge, blood tests, and for license. Friends & family threw a reception a week or so later and other stand up folks took us out for drinks the day of. Probably less than $200.

[globetraveler]

Everything said and done, somewhere around 15k including honeymoon.

We had a great wedding, Family and Church member helped us out by hand making most of the decorations and we had a potluck for our receptions so we didnt have to pay for catering.

The honey moon was by far the single most expensice part of it.

[Squishypig]

My first wedding in 2000 for about 100 guests cost around $20,000. Parents paid for it (my mom basically took it over). Evening Saturday wedding, sit down meal, etc.

I was remarried last year and this time we were footing the bill (and controlling the planning) so for 100 guests, we paid about $6,000. Afternoon wedding, heavy appetizers, cupcake cake, DIY flowers, etc. I could have done it cheaper but I paid for a good photographer and we had to shell out $1,000 for a room rental due to the lack of party facilities in my area. If it was my choice, we would have had a destination wedding but a wedding in our hometown was important to my husband so that is what we did!

I never understand why the honeymoon is sometimes included in the costs of a wedding. To me a wedding is the ceremony and reception, not the trip afterwards. It's really hard to tell exactly how much people paid for a party when they include a trip (usually an expensive one) into the costs.

[B.J. Johns]

i was married in 2001. we had approx 190 guests and i believe the total was around $18,000 (we were aiming around 16 but it got up to 18 in the last few days). of that my wife and i paid about 1/2 of it, her folks paid about 1/4 and my parents the remaining 1/4. looking back it was worth every penny, we have great memories from that day.

[isthisused]

(if you don't mind sharing, that is)

I know there is a similar thread that's been started, which asks how much a wedding SHOULD cost. The thing is, I know if I asked that question I would get the normal replies of 'it's up to you' and 'everyones different'. What I am interested in is the cost of other people's weddings, and what you got for the price. A church? A restaurant? A party in the park? Did you hold it on an island? A band? How many bridesmaids? What were your gifts to the guests? Honeymoon?Did you have a registry? etc etc.
We have friends who have gotten married, but I could never ask them how much their wedding cost. Most people on here are open to sharing so I thought I would ask here.
I am a long way away from even starting to plan our wedding, but I want to know what we would be looking at in cost terms so we can pay in cash.
Thanks in advance!

$50 license
$100 preacher (said he would do it for free, but Mom said I should give him something)
$28 her band
$14 my band
$25 craft shop to make bouquet and boutonniere.
The rest of my life! Priceless

[Angio333]

We spent under $2,500 for everything.....including the dress.

[reptile411]

About $800 on the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada. Yes that included a tour of the bonanza set and house and everything and we were married in the church from the show which we were delivered to in an old Packard convertable limo. to witch was very cool. The downside is the entire trip ran about 10K as when not getting married we spent the rest of the week in the casinos.

[kjb516]

I got married in a ski area lodge in upstate NY back in 1996. We had around 100 guests and the final cost was around 3,000 to 4,000 dollars.

...the divorce in 2008 cost about double that... but worth every penny!

[wnlbutterfly]

1983

Small church. I wore my aunt's expensive wedding gown (just a year old), only had to pay for it to be dry cleaned and altered. My wedding ring was my grandmother's (a promise she made when I was very young, her second set...no cost there, but priceless). We got the bridesmaid dresses at JC Penney Outlet. My aunt made the wedding cake, I made the mints. My mom and I made the flowers (actually glued the petals one by one...never again). Reception in the basement of the church (ran out of punch). No dinner, just cake and punch. The day ended with a tornado siren going off and everyone in the basement.

I think the only thing that was full cost was the tux rentals that DH took care of. My mom acted like it was so expensive, when it had to be less than a $1k. I was an only child too. If I had to do it again, I would elope, even less cost.

Been married for 25 yrs now!

[e.giftshoppe]

The cost of the wedding depends on how many guest you invite.there you can estimate how much budget would it be.
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