How to Keep the Cost of Your Wedding Low
A wedding is an event where two individuals are legally joined in matrimony. Traditions and customs differ greatly among different cultures, cultural groups, religious organizations, and socioeconomic classes. In the United States, an average of two-thirds of all marriages end in divorce, according to the American Marriage Project. The reasons for these trends can be various: differences in cultural expectations, varying standards of gender conduct, differences in family expectations, a lack of appreciation for different customs, or an inability to overcome deep-seated expectations.
Because a wedding is so emotionally and mentally draining, many couples choose to avoid it altogether by simply making the day a simple affair. Some couples choose to exchange their wedding rings during the ceremony (usually on the first day) and then have the wedding reception at a restaurant. Others decide to hold their wedding at a hall or castle. Some couples choose to exchange their wedding rings in a public ceremony, while others prefer to have a private reception. There are several ways that you can save money on your wedding.
The cost of a wedding will always depend on your budget and preferences. In order to provide accurate cost per dress (the price of the dress multiplied by the number of attendants required for the wedding) we must take some factors into consideration. First, the number of guests and the size of the wedding are important factors when calculating the cost per dress. Average Cost of a Wedding from the State Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on average dress prices across the United States, as well as a range of other facts on wedding cost. Other factors affecting the cost of a wedding include: venue(s), decorations, flowers, invitations, officiant, reception facility rental, caterer, transportation, entertainment, officiant, gifts, entertainment, catering, and insurance.
The cost of wedding invitations can vary dramatically, depending on the venue and desired invitation theme. While traditional wedding invitations are usually basic and relatively inexpensive, more couples are choosing to send contemporary wedding invitations, which reflect their own individual taste and style. The cost of a wedding ceremony generally includes reception facilities rental, officiant, flowers, cake, photography, entertainment, caterer, and transportation. Depending on the type of reception and venue chosen, the budget may also include banquet halls rental, entertainment, gifts, decorations, invitations, officiant, transportation, officiant, bridal party, and postage. The cost of a wedding is affected by the following factors:
Wedding Favors. While the tradition has been to leave one piece of wedding jewelry as a symbol of the bride and groom’s love, more couples are paying attention to the overall look and feel of their weddings, paying for personalized wedding favors in addition to the traditional item such as engraved silver frames or plaques. Wedding favors add to the aesthetic quality and personal touch of the wedding, whether they are small or large, simple or intricate. While there is no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to favors, you do want to choose something that fits your theme and the overall feel of your wedding. Unique wedding favors, such as candles with personalised scents, potpourri in themed containers, or even personalized lip balm can be unique and fun while filling your guest’s bags or carrying their purses throughout the day. Consider giving these favors to those in attendance with you, or having them placed upon the tables after the reception.
Wedding Invitations. When most people think of wedding expenses, the first item that usually pops into their heads is the wedding invitation. Whether you are getting married in Las Vegas or Maui, Hawaii, the cost of an invitation can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can reduce wedding expenses, from ordering invitations online to design your own invitation and then printing it yourself (which is often cheaper), to renting the invitations instead of buying them, to making them yourself and cutting them yourself (such as with a pocket calendar).