The Average Wedding Costs…
A wedding costs too much:
The average wedding costs…. $32,000! For many brides that’s equal to a year’s salary. Within that average is the cost of apparel, rings, music, marriage license, gifts, photography, catering, reception site and limo. That’s just a snapshot of the wedding costs. As for who pays for the wedding, the statistics are somewhat surprising. The old tradition of the bride’s parents paying for the wedding seems to fading. Now about 44% of brides and grooms pay for the wedding themselves, 42% of couples’ parents pay for the wedding and 13% of parents and engaged couple pool their resources to pay for the ceremony. The last option – a combination of parents and bride/groom paying makes most sense to me. That way the bride and groom can have monetary control over the details that matter to them while the parents can pay for details that are costly but need less personal touch.
How should you approach the financial aspect of the wedding? Well as unromantic as it may sound the most important part of wedding planning should be the budget. To ensure an easier life as a married couple, you will want to start financially healthy. Blowing $75,000 on a dream wedding is a bad start, if you don’t have $75,000. I advise having a real talk with your parents about paying for the wedding. If they can contribute to the wedding, fantastic. I think if couples offer to pay part of the wedding cost, this makes a tremendous positive impression on the parents. Later on, the parents may be more likely to pitch in more money because they see the hard work and commitment you’re giving to the wedding.
If you can’t recruit any parental wedding help, then you may need to extend your engagement time. For the first year, put away money every month and build your wedding budget. Also begin researching for deals and discounts. For the second year you’ll have more money and more ideas on affordable wedding options.
I just wanted to make a suggestion for any of you out there looking for a superb wedding photographer. I live in NYC and have been searching for a wedding photographer for the past 6 months and recently found the web site of Paul D. Van Hoy II / Fotoimpressions – based out of Rochesteter, NY http:www.fotoimpressions.com
Perhaps one of NYC best wedding photographers and he has incredibly affordable packages!