Weddings: How much they cost and what you should expect.
One of the most commonly asked questions among future brides is ‘how much does a wedding cost?' With so many factors to consider – from the flowers and the dress to the venue and the church – the answer is not so clear-cut!
How much you spend generally comes down to personal preference. Some couples will be able to fashion a magical wedding out of a mere £1,000, whilst others may spend well over £20,000!
Today we're taking a look at how much weddings costs – and where the pitfalls in funds are often found. Keep scrolling!
Size matters
First things first, you need to set a budget.
If not, you'll quickly find that the costs of a wedding will mount up and spending can spiral out of control. Having a budget in place will allow you to see approximately how much money there is to spend on each area.
Unless you're flying off to Vegas to get hitched, you should probably set aside at least £3,000 for your big day. Anything less and you may struggle.
If you're planning on an extravagant wedding but still don't have too much to spare, you may have to re-think your guest list. £10,000 - £20,000 is enough to plan a lavish wedding, but usually only for 100-200 people.
How many guests?
It's important to remember that the more mouths you have the feed, the more your wedding will cost. Catering for a wedding of 100-200 guests can cost anything from £2,000 - £3,000. The cake alone can set you back a minimum of £300. If you have any friends who have a knack for making cakes, now is the time to invest in their services.
If cutting the guest list down is not an option and you're still dreaming of the fairy-tale wedding and all the embellishments that come with it, total spending may rise rapidly.
Opting for an establishment that tailors to both the marriage vows and the after party can save you a great deal in the long run. It also saves on arranging transport between the two. The average wedding venue will cost around £2,200, while the reception venue can cost anything from £4,000, although this will vary massively by location.
Clothing
The next factor to consider is the wedding attire. From the bride's dress to the groom's suit, both can prove extremely costly. You can keep these costs down by getting a tailor to make a similar version of a more expensive item you may have already seen. If you have several bridesmaids and groomsmen to dress, it's a good idea to factor their needs into your budget too.
Hair and make-up
You'll also need to consider hiring a hairdresser and a make-up artist, which can cost up to £50 per person. If you have a team of bridesmaids, it may be wise to ask them to do their own make-up and hair – especially if you're on a budget. Some brides, however, will pay their make-up artist and hairdresser to stay throughout the day, to provide touch-ups when required.
Flowers
Flowers can range in price from £500 - £5000. Try to choose flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. More exotic variants are guaranteed to cost you a great deal more, as they'll have to be shipped in from elsewhere.
Entertainment
From live music to a DJ, the entertainment at your wedding can make or break the reception. It's a good idea to ask potential bands and DJs to send a mixtape over to you before you hire them. This way you'll know exactly what you're paying for!
The ring
Possibly one of the most important and often one of the most expensive items to consider is the ring. This again comes down to personal preference. The traditional rule of thumb is that the groom should spend anywhere from one to three month's salary on the engagement ring alone – eek!
In most cases, the wedding ring will be a little less pricey, even if purchased from the same jeweller and made out of the same materials. Instead of opting for a ring embellished with a huge rock – although incredible to look at, such a style can be a little impractical on a day-to-day basis – choose a grouping of smaller diamonds. This is a great option if you're looking for a cost-effective wedding band.
A worthy expense
What an exciting time! Weddings are wonderful, and it's worth approaching them properly where money is concerned. We hope you've found today's blog from the TrustTwo team to be handy and helpful.
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