What Am I Paying For?

You're engaged.  You start spending, buying, and booking vendors, thinking that you're almost done.  You realize how much you've spent thus far and then remember that you have to get this and that and still have to book something else.  To brides that are newly engaged, weddings aren't cheap.  Depending on what you want, where you have it and the time of year your wedding is taking place, be prepared to spend.  Weddings cost on average $25,631 and remember that is just the average.  You can always spend less than that.  Whatever budget that you choose, is perfectly fine.  But it is also good to know, what costs you must take care of.  I am going to list items that are included in the overall average cost of weddings:

*Attire & Accessories:

• Dress accessories
• Headpiece and/or veil
• Tuxedo/suit/rent/purchase
• Wedding dress(es)

*Beauty & Spa:

• Hair service
• Make-up service
• Manicure & pedicure (this won't necessarily be considered a cost, if you do this on a regular)

*Entertainment:

• DJ
• Live band

*Flowers & Decorations:

• Boutonnieres & corsages
• Bridal bouquet
• Bridesmaids bouquets
• Ceremony decorations
• Ceremony flower arrangements
• Flower petals
• Reception decorations 
• Reception flower arrangements
• Reception table centerpieces

*Invitations:

• Ceremony programs
• Guest book
• Invitations & reply cards
• Postage** (people tend to forget about this one a lot)
• Reception menus
• Save-the-date cards
• Table numbers and place/escort cards
• Thank you cards (people forget about this one as well)

*Gifts & Favors:

• Gifts for attendants
• Gifts for parents
• Tips (for all services)
• Weddings favors

*Jewelry:

• Weddings bands
• Bridal jewelry can be included here or under attire

*Photography & Video:

• Engagement session (find a package that includes this versus a separate cost)
• Prints and/or enlargements
• Wedding photographer (Rule of Thumb: You get what you pay for)
• Wedding videographer

*Venue, Catering, & Rentals:

• Ceremony accessories
• Ceremony location
• Ceremony officiator
• Hotel room for after reception
• Limo rental
• Reception accessories
• Reception bar service (open or cash)
• Reception food service (plated dinner, buffet, family-style, cocktail-style reception)
• Reception location
• Reception rentals
• Rehearsal dinner
• Wedding cake/dessert

(all information obtained from www.costofwedding.com)

You don't have to break the bank to have the wedding of your dreams.  You just have to be extremely mindful of all things that it takes to put a wedding together.  When in doubt, contact a wedding planner!

(dudewalker.org)

*Another divine blog*