Adding Up the 'Average' Wedding
OK, so you practically fainted when you heard the astronomical figure: the typical wedding costs about $20,000 ($18,874 to be exact!) Where does all that cash go? Bride's magazine offers a budget breakdown that reveals how a decidedly un-average sum of money turns into the average wedding.
Items Cost
Stationery (invitations, thank-you notes, etc.) $374
Bouquets and other flowers $1,253
Photography, videography $775
Wedding favors $240
Music $745
Clergy, church, chapel, synagogue fee $248
Limousine rental $427
Attendants' gifts $299
Wedding rings $1,060
Engagement ring $2,982
Rehearsal dinner $762
Bride's wedding dress $790
Bride's headpiece/veil $150
Bridal attendants' apparel (average of 5) $720
Mother of the bride's apparel $198
Groom's formalwear (rented) $100
Formalwear rentals for 5 ushers, best man $400
Reception (average of 186 guests) $7,246
Grand Total $18,874
Matthew M. F. Miller, author of “Maybe Baby: An Infertile Love Story” (HCI, 2008), is a syndicated fatherhood blogger
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