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Wedding Cost

The costs of your wedding will reflect a wide range depending greatly on the style of your wedding (formal, casual, outdoor), the number of attendants in the wedding party, and the number of guests. The below percentages can guide you in how much to spend in each area.

  • 50% Reception
  • 10% Music
  • 10% Flowers
  • 10% Wedding attire
  • 10% Photography
  • 4% Stationary
  • 6% Extras (includes rings and rehearsal dinner)

If you go less formal, you can increase the percentage in the areas you decide are most important. The 50% allocated for the reception would be for a more formal sit down or buffet type event.

SUMMARY OF COSTS

Location Options
  • Non-denominational church -- $100 to $650, depending on its popularity
  • If it's your own church -- a minimal cleaning fee ($50 to $100)
  • All-Inclusive Wedding Chapel -- $875 to $2,795 (the upper end figure did include silk flowers, cake, photography and keepsakes).
  • Reception hall Only -- $300 to $850
  • Backyard/Park -- $100 to $300 (for tent/table/chair rental) 
Wedding Gown Options
The cost varies depending on where you purchase the dress.
  • The traditional dress -- $300 to $1,500+
  • A simple elegant suit -- $200+
  • Altering your mother's dress -- $75 to $100
  • Renting a gown - ½ the cost of the dress, + cleaning
Additional Items
  • Flower wreath/tiaras -- $35 to $45
  • Headpiece/veils -- $85 to $200 
  • Garter -- $8 to $40
  • Handkerchief -- $10 to $20
  • Money Bag -- $20 to 40
Flower Options

You can expect to pay, on average $500 to $1,200, for flowers. The end amount will depend on your fancy, number of attendants, guests, and how formal the affair. Your bridal bouquet can cost anywhere from $75 to $150. Your attendant's bouquets, $40 to $75 each. Often times, the bouquet you toss is included in your package from the florist.

Boutonnières for the groom and his groomsmen, $4 (simple carnation) to $8 (two roses). The altar flowers, $75+ each. Pew flowers, $50-$75 each. Reception table flowers, $40 to $150 each arrangement.


Transportation Options
  • Limousine -- $300 to $500/4 hours.
  • Town Car (an intimate choice for the bride and groom) -- $85/24 hours
  • Horse drawn carriage -- $215 for the first hour ($100 thereafter).
Catered Options

Depending on the options you offer, a formal sit down dinner will cost on average, $20 per person. A buffet, $8 to $15, A catered event , $6+ per person. Keeping selections to a minimum saves you money.


Wedding Cake Options
On average, the price of the cake can be broken down to $2 per slice. For a two-tier cake that serves 55 people, the average price is $110. For a three-tier (serving 110 to 120 people), $180

An option worth considering if you have a lot of guests -- a small tiered cake for cutting and photographs, and several sheet cakes for serving.

There are additional costs as well to consider.

  • Porcelain cake top -- $35 to $50.
  • Cake charms -- $30 to $35.
  • Cake server and knife set -- $50 to $75.
Picture Options

A photographer will cost $775 to $1,600, depending on how long you want the photographer at the wedding/reception, and the number of pictures you want in your package.

A well-produced video will cost $1,000 to $3,000. The cost depends on the amount of editing, special effects, and the number of cameras.


Entertainment Options
Although there are many variations, from a string quartet or trio, to a guitarist, music is an important part of the ceremony, as well as the reception. Listed below are a few of the more common choices:

  • Pianist/Organist for ceremony, $50 to $100
  • Soloist -- $50 to $100
  • DJ, $100 per hour/3 hour minimum
  • Live band -- $750 to $1,500 (3-piece versus a 5-piece band)
Consultants

If you're a do-it-yourself type, you might want to consider hiring a consultant to give you occasional advice, which costs approximately $25 to $35 per hour. However, If your wedding is going to be large and complex, hiring a consultant may be well worth the time and organization that are gained. For a consultant's expertise, expect to pay a percentage of the total budget (average - 10%).

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