Monday, September 21, 2009

How to estimate wedding costs

estimate wedding costs


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"After all, this wedding has given me the opportunity to meet many of Paul's ... And I hope, when they look back years from now on this, their wedding day, they ..."

As you probably know, weddings can be very expensive affairs. There are many different costs associated with hosting a wedding and the reception that usually follows it. Many couples and their families set strict budgets for their weddings. As a result, it may be useful to estimate the costs of the wedding before committing to any vendors or venues. To estimate the total cost of your wedding, make a list of everything you would like to be included and try to calculate the cost of each item.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your local courthouse -- or visit its website -- and ask to speak with someone who can give you information about marriage licenses. Find out how much a marriage license costs.

    • 2

      List possible places to hold your wedding ceremony. If you would like to have it in a religious venue, such as a church or a synagogue, determine if there are any rental costs associated with getting married there. If you have to pay an officiant, determine how much the officiant charges or if he should be tipped instead. You may also consider hosting your wedding in an outdoor location or at a nonreligious building, such as a museum or ballroom. Contact a venue that interests you to get a price range for holding your wedding ceremony there.

    • 3

      Contact potential reception venues to determine their price ranges. Many venues charge rental fees to use their facilities for a wedding reception. If there is a caterer on-site at a venue, inquire how much the caterer charges per person for a meal. Make an approximate list of all of the people that you plan to invite to your wedding. Multiply the number of people on your list by the cost that the caterer charges per person. This will probably be your single largest cost.

    • 4

      Make a list of other vendors that might be involved in your wedding and contact them to get a price estimate. For example, call a florist, DJ or band, calligrapher, hair and/or makeup artists, photographer, videographer, cake baker and wedding planner and inquire about their prices. You may also choose to include the cost of your wedding dress, honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, invitations, programs, liquor, gifts for your bridal party, party favors and decorations in your calculations.

    • 5

      Total all of the costs you've listed. Realize that this number is only an estimate and can fluctuate depending on a number of factors, such as how many people you decide to invite to your wedding or how much you end up spending on a dress. If the final number is something you and your fiance aren't comfortable with, get started figuring out save money on the various items on your list.


Source: www.ehow.com

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