How Much Should We Save For Our Wedding
Once you’ve figured out how much you can spend within each category, make sure to keep track of your spending as you plan your wedding. It helps to enter your payments into a spreadsheet. Start with estimated costs for each category in the spreadsheet, and then every time you make a payment, enter the actual cost. This will show you how close you are to reaching your budget. To see an example of how to record your expenses, check out this wedding budget chart.
How Much Does The Average Canadian Wedding Actually Cost
Is that the sound of wedding bells? Nope just wedding bills. And until youve signed off on them, those wedding bells will have to wait.
So just whats the going price for the wedding bells these days? Go ahead, guess. $5,000? $10,000? Youre likely pegging the number somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000, right?
The troubling realityHow do we know that? Because, like you, many other Canadians expecting to get married at some point in their lives expect their wedding costs will soar to an average of $18,150, according to a recent BMO InvestorLine study.
However, heres where it might be appropriate to burst out the violin and lotion-infused tissues: Nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated they didnt believe theyd be able to afford their wedding. More troubling, that original $18,000 estimate doesnt come close to reflecting the reality of wedding costs.
Newlywed and headed for the redSoon-to-be-wed and recently married couples peg their guesses a little closer to the true mark. In a WeddingBells.ca survey of 2,309 Canadians, couples nearing or just coming away from the big day indicated they believed the average expected cost of a Canadian wedding should ring in at around $22,429 or $27,899 with a honeymoon.
The true tallyThe actual average cost of a Canadian wedding iswait for it $31,110, honeymoon included. Dont freak out. Take a deep breath. Pour yourself a drink and get yourself together. Theres still time to shed costs before the big day.
Research Prices In Your Area
The cost of wedding venues, vendors and other wedding items may vary depending on various factors, including your location.
The average price of wedding expenses ranges from state to state. Wedding planning websites and search engines will be your best friend as you research different vendors in your area. You can compare prices on catering, entertainment, photography and other services. It’s also helpful to ask around for vendor recommendations to see if you can find wedding vendors that fit your price range.
You can go to wedding conventions near you that have various vendors and wedding ideas, as well. Wedding and bridal conventions are a great way to meet local businesses and get an idea of what different aspects of your wedding may cost.
You May Like: How To Write Wedding Vows Groom
What Is Included In A Wedding Catering Package
Your wedding catering may be provided by your wedding venue, or you may want or need to hire an outside caterer. Reading a wedding catering contract can be a bit confusing, but in general, your wedding catering cost will be priced on a per person basis. A standard wedding catering package includes the following:
- Food: The wedding food cost is the most obvious part of a wedding catering package. Youre paying for the actual food that your guests will eat during cocktail hour and the main meal. Whether its served plated or buffet style is up to you and your caterer.
- Beverages: Your caterer will likely provide beverages, both alcoholic and not, for your big day.
- Staffing: From your event manager to cooks, servers, bartenders, and more, there are lots of staffers that will go into making your wedding day a success. Its important to work with your caterer to make sure that you have enough people on hand to ensure a smooth reception.
- Rentals: Your caterer may also provide rentals, from tables to chairs, dishes to glassware, utensils, and more. Some venues provide these rentals, or you may need to hire a .
- Additional fees: Caterers may charge additional costs and fees, including cake cutting fees, corkage fees, and more. Be sure to read your contract carefullyand ask questionsto make sure you understand your wedding catering cost.
What Youll Forget In Your Initial Wedding Budget
When you create an initial wedding budget on your own, it can be easy to forget about all the extras. Ive tried to be as thorough as possible in this post, but I havent even covered things like your wedding attire and/or additional events . On top of that, Im a professional wedding planner, but I even budget a line for miscellaneous costs that might come up.
Recommended Reading: How To Add Wedding Ring To Insurance
Perks And Discounts Available To You
We love getting the best perks and discounts for our guests.
There are some great deals to be had that can get you extra luxury or $ discounts.
Booking rooms for 30+ guests can get you a room upgrade or even a FREE wedding package.
Some resorts also give you discounted anniversary packages if you book your wedding with them.
Our team will help you discover the perks that benefit you the most.
For example, if you make a block accommodation booking at a Karisma hotel, you can get preferential rates.
And, the rooms and suites are super impressive as you can see
Thats just one perk of choosing this resort group.
Take a few minutes to read my blog post and youll discover more.
Budgeting Can Be Hard Don’t Forget To Save This Post For Later
Today, Im breaking down the average cost of a wedding in New York, but before I dive into the details, Im going to give you a little bit of context. As an Upstate NY wedding planner , there are people spending a lot more than the numbers I have listed below. Setting your wedding budget is often one of the first steps in your wedding planning journey, but I also want to remind you that setting a budget is NOT a bad thing. Your wedding budget should be an expression of your priorities, so feel free to spend a little more on categories that are important to you, and a little less on what you could live without.
Read Also: Garden Of The Gods Resort Wedding
Average Cost Of Wedding Vendors
The number of vendors hired is one of the most important factors in determining the total cost of a wedding. According to our data, in 2021, couples hired 14 wedding vendors on average, which is on par with pre-pandemic data. And of course, how much wedding venues and pros charge variesa lot. It’s always best to research wedding vendors in your area and ask them about their specific rates . An internal study found out exactly what couples spend on different wedding vendors last year on average. See the average cost of wedding vendors in 2021, below:
See how the average wedding cost in 2021 compare to previous years’ price tags. Before the COVID-related dip in wedding spend in 2020, the average cost of a wedding was fairy consistent. The average wedding cost in 2019 was $28,000, and $28,200 in 2018. Interestingly enough, the average cost of a wedding in 2017 was $27,600, which is down from 2016, when the average spend on weddings reached an all-time high of $29,000. In 2015, couples spent over $2,000 less, averaging $26,800 for their weddings. The average cost of a wedding in 2014 was $25,400.
How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost
Food and drink are a major part of the wedding experience , so its no surprise that youll spend a big amount of your total budget on your wedding catering. The average wedding catering cost in the U.S. is about $4,000 with most couples spending between $1,800 to $7,000. Note that wedding catering prices do vary widely depending on your weddings location and many other factors, like guest countbut no matter where youre getting married, delicious and plentiful food is essential to an amazing wedding reception experience.
Read Also: What Hand Does The Wedding Ring Go On
A Wedding Catering Package: Whats Included
Professional wedding caterers have come to understand whats expected of their teams, and have packaged their services to satisfy what most couples are looking for. There are always exceptions to the rule which is why you should specifically ask whats included but the average cost of wedding caterer usually covers:
- Food This is the bulk of your costs and can vary quite a bit. This usually includes the reception meal, but can also include cocktail-hour hors doeuvres, dessert, or multiple courses.
- Beverages Alcohol is sometimes covered by the banquet hall and sometimes covered by the caterer, or a combination of the two. Beyond that, you also have to consider water, sodas, coffee, tea, and other soft drinks.
- Staffing The more guests you have the larger your catering staff will need to be. Cooks, servers, bartenders, and staff managers all have to be coordinated to ensure that guests arent rushed or left waiting as they dine.
- Rentals Your guests are going to need a place to eat, which many couples forget about when trying to budget their wedding caterers cost. Make sure to account for tables and chairs, utensils, and linens.
- Additional Fees Be sure to read the contract carefully. There are often service fees like corking and cake cutting that are on top of the main fee.
The 2021 Average Wedding Cost Broken Down
Here are the seven key areas couples were spending on in 2021:
- Venue hire – £7,600
- Bridal hair – £80
- Bridal makeup – £70
Couples who married in 2021 paid £7,600 to hire their dream wedding venue – this is a 40% increase on the £5,406 couples were paying in 2019. Its clear to see that after two years apart from everyone, with weddings on hold, the setting in which everyone celebrates together became even more important.
Photography spend has also increased by 4% – your wedding photography is your lasting memento of your big day, so it makes sense to invest in it. Sharing special moments with loved ones has never been more appreciated, so you can understand why couples were willing to spend more to make sure these memories were captured.
Catering spend is also on the up – in 2019, couples spent a total of £3,887 on their wedding catering, however our survey revealed that in 2021, couples spent an average of £65 per head on catering, with 72 guests on average attending – thats a total spend of £4,680. Who can blame couples for increasing their catering spend by 20%? After two years at home eating endless lockdown banana bread, delicious meals cooked by someone other than yourself are worth more than their weight in gold.
Also Check: Wedding Invitations What To Include
Average Cost For Wedding Stationery
When you think about your wedding stationery, invitations are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Wedding stationery is so much more than that! I usually recommend working with a designer so that all of your wedding day pieces are cohesive, and typically my couples will spend between $5,000-$7,500 with their wedding stationer when all is said and done.
As far as invitations go, depending on the printing method, envelope liner, calligraphy, and the number of pieces you want to include , you will typically spend between $2,000-$4,000 on wedding invitations. If you want to save a little money, choosing a service like Minted is a little bit cheaper and might cost closer to $1500 when all is said and done.
Average Wedding Catering Cost For 100
Roughly, it costs around $7000 total to feed a guest list of 100. So that would be $10,500 for 150 people, right? Not necessarily. Straight math works if youre only accounting for the cost of food. But considering all of the peripheral costs, the economy of scale begins to kick in as you add guests.
Read Also: How To Decorate A Wedding Tent On A Budget
Shopping For A Wedding Caterer
-
Ask around for referrals to a good caterer. You can ask newly married friends, family members or other wedding professionals like photographers or bakers.
-
Always interview several caterers before settling on one.
-
Ensure the caterer you choose is licensed food server approved by your local or county health department.
-
Be open to different food service options including food stations, buffet or full service keeping in mind the cost implications that come with your choice.
How Much Is A Dinner Plate For A Wedding
In the United States, the average cost of wedding catering is $40 per person for a plated lunch. The average cost of a buffet is $27 per person. The total cost of wedding meals for 100 people would be $2,200.
A standard wedding cake is two-layer, with about 16 inches in diameter, and costs on average $50 to $100. Additions such as flowers, candles, and decor items increase the final price.
The type of food served at a wedding depends on the budget of the couple and their preferences. If you want to serve high-end cuisine, then this will add to the expense. If you choose to go with more affordable options, this will decrease the cost. For example, a bride who wants to serve pasta bar style dinners can do so by buying plenty of boxes of pasta and topping them with meatballs, sauce, or cheese. This will help keep the overall cost down.
Wedding dishes are used to serve one main dish. Each guest gets their own plate so that each person can customize their meal to their liking. Dishes are usually made from glass, ceramic, or stainless steel and are used to display the food beautifully while it’s being served.
Read Also: How Much Do You Spend On A Wedding Gift
Average Cost Of A Cancun Destination Wedding
Youre dreaming of a destination wedding in Cancun and want to know the cost?
Youre in the right place!
Weve planned 100s of weddings in Cancun
so, our wedding team is now on your team, feeding you everything you want to know about weddings in Cancun.
Youll discover exactly what you and your guests should budget for.
Without further ado
Plus, get our wedding insider insights into the best all-inclusive packages and resorts.
Why Are Wedding Costs Up This Year
The market research firm The Wedding Report notes that 2.5 million couples are intending to marry in 2022, which is about 15% higher than a typical year, and a 30% jump from 2021. Many people had to reschedule prospective weddings originally set to happen in 2020, and then again in 2021 as COVID-19 variants ran rampant. Wedding vendors are also passing their increased costs due to inflation and supply chain issues on to happy couples hoping not to break the bank.
- Average wedding cost in 2019: $24,700
- Average wedding cost in 2020: $20,286
- Average wedding cost in 2021: $27,063
With all this in mind, what can you expect to pay for all the pieces of your big day in 2022?
Don’t Miss: What Does A Woman Wear To A Black Tie Wedding
Budgeting For Your Destination Wedding Weekend In Upstate New York
Because Im based in Upstate New York, most of the couples I work with are planning complete destination wedding weekends. Of course, with a destination wedding weekend, there are a few extra things to consider adding to your wedding budget! First, accommodations. Usually, couples dont cover accommodations for their guests but if you do want to offer it to your wedding party and/or immediate family, accommodations in Upstate New York range from $125-$400/night. More high-end properties like the Inns of Aurora are closer to $900-$1,000 per night.
For example, if most of your guests are coming from the city, you are almost always going to want to include transportation for your guests to get to and from each of the wedding locations. For something like a school bus, the cost averages around $500. Alternatively, for a nicer coach bus, you are going to be closer to the $2,500 range. Obviously, this depends on the distance and how long you need them for, but in general I never recommend cutting costs on transportation. There are SO many headaches and timeline issues with choosing an inexperienced or unreliable company that its always worth the extra cost!
Alert: Highest Cash Back Card We’ve Seen Now Has 0% Intro Apr Until 2024
If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our expert loves this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR until 2024, an insane cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee.
In fact, this card is so good that our expert even uses it personally. for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
Don’t Miss: Queen Elizabeth’s Wedding Rings
How Expensive Is A Reception For 100 People
In an ideal world, all wedding budgets would be unlimited. Theyd all be lavish events, and couples everywhere would have the big budget, extravagant wedding of their dreams. Unfortunately, were not all Kim Kardashian, so more moderate budgets have to be respected. Most receptions for 100 people cost between $5,000 – $10,000, with $7,000 being the average cost. Heres a general estimate of what you can expect to pay for food, service/staffing, alcohol, and rentals for a wedding of this size.
Food: $3,500 is a great starting point, as it will get you a few appetizers as well as enough food for a buffet. If youd like to include some items that tend to be more expensive, such as beef or seafood, expect to pay closer to $4,000. Other factors that affect food costs include the quantity and selection of hors doeuvres, and the number of entrées, sides, and desserts.
Service/ Staffing: This cost can be anywhere from $0 to $2,500, depending on how you would like your food presented. A buffet style meal without any servers will obviously not cost you anything for staffing. However, it is always a better idea to have servers present in order to make sure your guests needs are being met, especially with a group as large as 100.
For plated meals, your cost for staffing will nearly double because you will need chefs on site and servers to wait on your guests. Anticipate paying a minimum of about $2,500.
