average wedding cost...

[audie]

i think what gets me about the whole thing is that a person who spends $30,000 on a wedding is just as married as a person who spends $300. i guess i am just cheap.

 

[Cheering472]

Divorce was only expensive for my ex :clap_1:

Weddings...:shock: my friend spent over $30,000 for her daughters reception alone. Her dress was $5000 and that's just what we know. I'd estimate the total amount after flowers, music, video, pictures etc to be well over $50,000.
She has it, so that's her call, but OUCH!

For Bethies, I opened a joint checking account in our names so we could both write the checks and she could see where her money was going. I can't tell you enough how this helped. Giving her a blank check or having her come back for money as she needed it would have hurt more.

When that money was gone it was gone, so she needed to make smart choices on how she spent it while we planned. I suggested:
1. She have a small wedding and use the money on a house or honeymoon
2. She could have a nice wedding with the amount I gave her or,
3. She could have a huge blow out wedding by adding her money to it.

She watched every penny, never asked for more, was grateful for all of it and we had a wonderful day. It wasn't the wedding itself, but the reception that cost us. We did have great food, and an open bar, and that really was what escalated the price, because she shopped smart for her invitations, dress,
photographer, florist, video guy, etc - total $15,000-$18,000. It truly was as nice as any wedding she'd been in with her friends and we didn't spend but half what they'd spent. But still a far cry from the $1500-$2000 I spent in 1978. I know people who go into debt, refinance their home etc for their daughters big day. I think that's crazy, but hey it's just one womans opinion.

 

[Biff]

DANG, I say,.,.,.SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED GREEN BACKS AND ELOPE !!!!!​

did any of your weddings cost this much ?

 

[audie]

my sister had the big blow out wedding - i still get on her about spending my inheritance ;-)

 

[Rudyjohn]

Divorce was only expensive for my ex :clap_1:

Weddings...:shock: my friend spent over $30,000 for her daughters reception alone. Her dress was $5000 and that's just what we know. I'd estimate the total amount after flowers, music, video, pictures etc to be well over $50,000.
She has it, so that's her call, but OUCH!

For Bethies, I opened a joint checking account in our names so we could both write the checks and she could see where her money was going. I can't tell you enough how this helped. Giving her a blank check or having her come back for money as she needed it would have hurt more.

When that money was gone it was gone, so she needed to make smart choices on how she spent it while we planned. I suggested:
1. She have a small wedding and use the money on a house or honeymoon
2. She could have a nice wedding with the amount I gave her or,
3. She could have a huge blow out wedding by adding her money to it.

She watched every penny, never asked for more, was grateful for all of it and we had a wonderful day. It wasn't the wedding itself, but the reception that cost us. We did have great food, and an open bar, and that really was what escalated the price, because she shopped smart for her invitations, dress,
photographer, florist, video guy, etc - total $15,000-$18,000. It truly was as nice as any wedding she'd been in with her friends and we didn't spend but half what they'd spent. But still a far cry from the $1500-$2000 I spent in 1978. I know people who go into debt, refinance their home etc for their daughters big day. I think that's crazy, but hey it's just one womans opinion.

What a great idea!:clap_1:

 

[Cheering472]

What a great idea!:clap_1:

It helps when they see the money disappearing from the account and have to decide what they want most..an open bar, a sit down meal or an over the top dress. We kept the guest list limited too. If you need to invite everyone you ever knew, and their dog, it's gonna hurt.

 

[lucky13]

did any of your weddings cost this much ?

oof--I just know that almost 10 months after tying the knot, it's nice to have the day paid off. With a chunk from mom and dad and adding to it a little on our own, we did what we went there to do--got married!

The day was good and in hindsight, there are a few things that I might have done differently, but I realize now more than ever it's the days after the wedding day that truly matter. Some photographs and a few songs that make me smile are good to have as memories, but it is about what we are doing now

 

[KISH7374]

My youngest son is getting married in June of 2008. They will be married in the church though this is her second marriage. We found a very nice hall and the per plate cost is $27.00 including booze. With everything else involved they are looking at around $11,000.00. We will help them with the cost but they are paying for most of it themselves. That is the way they want it so who am I to argue?

 

[Cheering472]

My youngest son is getting married in June of 2008. They will be married in the church though this is her second marriage. We found a very nice hall and the per plate cost is $27.00 including booze. With everything else involved they are looking at around $11,000.00. We will help them with the cost but they are paying for most of it themselves. That is the way they want it so who am I to argue?

That sounds very nice. Enjoy the big day.

 

[lindatat]

and worth every penny huh ?

Oh yes, definitely.

We learned a valuable lesson from a couple down the street; they shelled out $40K a piece and battled it out, then ultimately decided to reconcile.