Top 3 Reasons that Weddings Cost So Much?
Weddings are probably the most expensive celebration that you will ever plan. With the average traditional wedding celebration costing somewhere in the region of $30,000, plus another $5,000 wedding budget for the average honeymoon it can be a huge financial burden for couples to take on, especially at the start of their life together. So, why are weddings so expensive?
Let’s take a closer look at the top 3 reasons that weddings cost so much.
1. Is Your Wedding Reception a Money Pit?
At $100++ per person, one of the single biggest drains on your wedding budget is going to be your reception. The more guests you (or your family) invite the more expensive your reception is going to become. It is not exactly cheap to feed a large crowd of people, especially when you also need to splash out on drinks, entertainment and perhaps an evening buffet or plated meal. It makes perfect sense to reduce this expense by having fewer guests or not having the reception at all.
This is one of the reasons why elopement is seeing such an increase in popularity. Eloping no longer means having to run off in secret (although you can if you want to) many couples also invite their closest family members and friends. A growing number of elopement vendors are also offering small or intimate wedding packages for 30-50 that are much less expensive than a big traditional ++ wedding reception.
2. Is Your Dream Venue a Nightmare For Your Wedding Budget?
Another huge expense for many couples is booking their wedding venue. More often than not you will fall in love with a particular venue or at least the idea of a certain type of venue like a castle, hotel or a country club for example. However, sometimes when it comes to booking that dream venue, the price quoted ($5,00-$10,000 in some cases) is more like a nightmare and that is even before you have added in the cost of decor and possibly even furniture rental! If you choose to elope, you may be able to find a similar venue in a different location that is much more affordable or free. For example, a hotel in big cities like New York and Chicago might be more expensive than a more intimate bed and breakfast or a small romantic inn in a more rural area.
You may also find that by getting married or eloping midweek you are able to snag yourself a great deal on a dream venue since these are generally in less demand then for weddings!
3. Are You Spending Too Much Money on a Wedding Planner?
One of the most expensive aspects of a big, traditional wedding is hiring a professional wedding planner. Some brides may start off feeling as though they do not need one, but with so many details all needing to be pulled together on your special day into one cohesive wedding it soon becomes clear that a wedding planner is almost a necessity! They can help to make sure that everything runs smoothly before thus taking pressure off of the bride on her big day. However, that comes at a price of up to 20% of the wedding costs! In addition to the standard fee, most wedding planners will also work with certain suppliers only and they may not be the cheapest option!
In comparison, if you choose to elope instead then you are likely to be using a prearranged elopement package that will eliminate the need for a wedding planner – or may include the services of an onsite day-of coordinator/planner! Just one more way that eloping can help to save you money!
A traditional wedding can be a huge expense and it is one many couples simply cannot afford, so they are choosing to elope instead making a saving of around 90%! Why not take a moment to complete our ‘Should You Elope?’ assessment and find out if this wedding alternative could be the right choice for you!