David's Bridal

What Should a Wedding Cost?
BY CATEY HILL

Almost every future bride has a moment when she wonders: How can my wedding be costing this much?! Don’t worry, that’s totally normal — and it’s true, weddings can be pricey.  So what’s “normal” for a wedding to cost?

Estimates on what the average wedding in America costs usually range from about $25,000 – $28,000, not including the honeymoon.  Here’s a breakdown of how the average bride likely spends that money (based on a $25,000 wedding):

• $13,250 on the reception.
  This may include the venue, catering, bar, cake or dessert, lighting and music.
• $3,000 on photos and video.
  This includes not only the photographer and videographers fees but also prints and albums.
• $2,500 on attire.
  This may include the dress, alterations, veil, accessories, hair, makeup, and tux.
• $2,000 on flowers.
  This includes flowers for both the ceremony and reception.
• $1,500 on the ceremony.
  This may include the venue, officiant, marriage license, ring pillow and musician.
• $750 on stationary.
  This may include save-the-date cards, invitations, RSVP cards, programs, seating name cards, thank-you notes, postage and menu cards. Definitely check out David’s Bridal’s line of invitations and stationary- they have just about any theme you’re looking for and are reasonably priced!
• $750 on rings.
  This includes the wedding bands for the bride and groom.
• $750 on favors and gifts.
  This may include favors for wedding guests, welcome bags for guests in their hotel rooms and gifts for the wedding party.  If you’re looking for inexpensive but cute favors from photo albums and sweets to note pads and bottle stoppers, be sure to check out the assortment from David’s Bridal- the more you buy the more you save!
• $500 on transportation.
  This may include transportation for guests to and from the venue, valet parking, car rental or limo for bride and groom and limo for the wedding party.

Of course, every bride is different, and her wedding could cost far less or more than average.  Some of that will depend on where you have the wedding.  It tends to be more expensive to get married in the Northeast — New York City is usually the priciest place, but Boston isn’t too far behind — than most other areas of the country.  It’s also expensive to get married in California, especially popular spots like Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, as well as in cities like Chicago and Philadelphia.  If you’re looking to save money, head to the Midwest or South and to smaller cities or rural areas (doesn’t a quaint country wedding sound nice!).

Surprisingly, it’s often less expensive to do a destination wedding than to get married in or near your hometown.  Part of that is that fewer guests tend to come to destination weddings, so you’re paying for a lot less food and alcohol that you might otherwise.  Plus, if you go somewhere like the Riviera Maya or Jamaica, you can find great deals on beautiful beachside hotel venues.  Grab your flip flops, ladies!

Even if your wedding is going to cost a lot less – or a lot more – than average, don’t worry.  As long as you can afford it (no credit card debt, please!), go for it!

Thrifty Thursday! We have one of the best tips for all of the newly engaged brides! For those who are superstitious, getting married in 2013 might be as unlucky as letting the groom see the bride before the wedding.  But those who are willing to brave the widely feared number 13 may find wedding deals are well worth the risk!

BBC News reports that wedding industry experts expect 2013 to be a robust year for weddings, thanks to an improving economy and bargains offered in hopes of convincing superstitious couples to set a 2013 wedding date. According to BBC, an English woman shared that her friend received a heavily reduced venue price by planning her wedding in 2013- and saved up to 2,013 pounds.  She was originally planning for 2014 but decided on a 2013 date for the awesome discount!

Did you get engaged over the holidays? Congrats! Before you get started on planning every last detail, read these tips from the Glamour before you start your wedding planning!

“Before you get swept away by ideas you find in magazines, blogs, and Pinterest, talk to your guy about what makes your relationship unique. That will help you focus on creating a day that’s truly meaningful to you.”
—Tracy Taylor Ward, Tracy Taylor Ward Design

“Make decisions as a couple. It’s his day too.”
—Renny Pedersen, Bliss Weddings & Events

“Be nice to everyone! Nice goes a long way in an industry where people are constantly abused. When you get demanding and bitchy, you will get service—but you may not get impeccable service. Be courteous and thank people for their time and you will get a whole lot further with your vendors.”
—Alison Hotchkiss, Alison Events

“These days, there are too many options. Brides suffer from what I call ‘analysis paralysis’—they drive themselves crazy researching the best option and the best deal. It’s OK to make a decision and not look back. It will keep you sane.”
—Annie Lee, Daughter of Design

“If your vendors are giving you options that don’t resonate, run the other way. Don’t hire anyone until you find someone who really channels your vision.”
—Jung Lee, Fête

Plenty of people are going to have ideas for your wedding—what kind of ceremony to have, which kind of band to hire, what kind of cake to get. Take it in stride, then do what you want.”
—Yifat Oren, Yifat Oren & Associates

“There’s such a big buildup toward the wedding that a lot of engaged women put crazy pressure on themselves. Instead, stop and ask yourself, ‘How can I make this year as wonderful as my wedding and my future married life?’ Love yourself enough to have fun!”
—Calder Clark, Calder Clark Designs

“Make a pledge with your fiancé to only talk about the wedding at a certain time each weekend—not every time you sit down for dinner or relax on the couch. You need to spend time nurturing your relationship, too.”
—Loulie Walker, Loulie Walker Events

–Written by Brides