How Much Do Weddings Cost?

Weddings cost money. It doesn't matter if you're planning the biggest wedding of the year or if you're doing a courthouse wedding and going out with your closest friends for dinner to celebrate after. It costs roughly $75 to get married at your local courthouse. Add in $15 dollars for your marriage licence, maybe $50 for a simple nice dress, and $100 for dinner and you're looking at a wedding coming under $250.00. Photo by: Michelle Walker Photography   If you're looking to spend as little as humanely possible on your wedding, a courthouse wedding is a good place to start. However, everyone's dream wedding is different and come with different budgets.

How Much Do Average Weddings Cost?

Average Cost of:

• Wedding Venue: $12,343.00
• Wedding Officiant: $300.00
• Limo Service: $800.00
• Live Wedding Band: $3,500.00
• Wedding Photographer: $2,559.00
• Wedding Dress: $1,357.00
• Groom's Tux: $197.00
• Wedding Cake: $450.00
• Wedding Flowers: $2,141.00
• Hair & Make Up: $300.00
• Wedding Invitations (including all the trimmings): $750.00
• Wedding Caterer: $7,000.00

The total average cost of a wedding: $31,697.00 

The Low Budget Wedding

Low end cost of:

• Wedding Venue: $640.00
• Wedding Officiant: $100.00
• Limo Service: $220.00
• Live Wedding Band: $450.00
• Wedding Photographer: $323.00
• Wedding Dress: $120.00
• Groom's Tux: $120.00
• Wedding Cake: $125.00
• Wedding Flowers: $189.00
• Hair & Make Up: $60.00
• Wedding Invitations (including all the trimmings): $150.00
• Wedding Caterer: $400.00

The total cost of a typical low budget wedding: $2,897

The Pull No Punches Wedding

High end cost of:

• Wedding Venue: $20,000.00
• Wedding Officiant: $650.00
• Limo Service: $1,800.00
• Live Wedding Band: $9,750.00
• Wedding Photographer: $4,500.00
• Wedding Dress: $2,600.00
• Groom's Tux: $2,600.00
• Wedding Cake: $1,000.00
• Wedding Flowers: $4,200.00
• Hair & Make Up: $1,050.00
• Wedding Invitations (including all the trimmings): $1,300.00
• Wedding Caterer: $13,000.00

The total cost of typical high budget wedding: $62,450.00

Plan Within Your Budget

While these numbers come from various bride surveys and market trends, remember that they represent the typical and average. You can make more room in your budget by forgoing some of these items or if you have personal connections to vendors, you might find yourself a deal. A lot of couples looking to save may even have an outdoor, backyard reception, forgoing any venue costs. Additionally, keep in mind that there a million little small details to account for. For example, wedding accessories like cake toppers, wedding garters, and table center pieces, while not big purchases will still add to you total costs. Whatever your dream wedding is just remember that a wedding that stays within budget is always going to be less stressful.