How much does the average wedding cost?

It's interesting:
"This wedding really couldn't come at a better time for anyone. Gary will probably be bald by this time next year. And Annabelle's just found out that ..."

Most surveys in 2010 find that the average wedding costs around $27,000, with a range of $25,000 to $30,000 generally accepted as accurate. The total depends on the size of the guest list, how much each vendor charges and the location. How much you actually pay out of your own pocket depends on who is helping to fund the nuptials.

1. Significance

   • Costs play a significant part in the size and scope of a wedding. The average cost includes ceremony fees, location fees, food and drink, wedding cake, flowers, DJ or live band, photography and videography, wedding attire, favors and transportation. While not every wedding is the same, the total amount spent makes the difference between a grandiose affair and a low-key event.

   Considerations

   • How much a wedding costs depends on the price of each element planned for the wedding day. For example, one wedding may have flowers and centerpieces, while another may forgo floral decorations altogether. While every wedding has its financial considerations, you are in control of how much you want to spend on the big day. Also consider who is paying for the wedding--the bride's parents, the groom's parents, the couple or a combination of the three sources. The specific outlay of money differs in every situation.

   Types

   • Different types of weddings have different total costs. The definition of an "average wedding" varies from region to region. What may be average in the Northeast--a wedding ceremony and a reception with all the trimmings for 100 to 200 people can cost around $25,000 in total--may not be average elsewhere. And distinctions must be made with respect to destination weddings and nontraditional receptions like picnics or luaus. Attire can be a large part of the budget, too--a wedding dress alone can cost anywhere from $100 to $10,000.

   Size

   • The number of guests invited to the wedding in large part determines the amount of money to be spent, since the reception, which generally includes food and alcohol, usually costs the most money. The average cost of the reception is difficult to determine because 100 guests at one place may cost as much as 200 guests at another one. It all depends on the venue.

   Geography

   • Weddings in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago (as well as their suburbs) have higher costs associated with them because of their location. Weddings held in smaller towns and much of the interior United States tend to be priced lower, as vendors and associated costs are less due to the lower cost of living in these regions. Obviously, destination weddings have much higher price tags as well.

   Misconceptions

   • You do not have to spend a lot of money to have a successful wedding. Many people are happy with a small, intimate affair and just the simplest accessories. A large wedding does not guarantee a happier marriage, and the money that is spent for one single day may not be worth it to some couples.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: average wedding, average cost, average wedding cost, destination weddings, does average