Today we are talking about some of the not so fun parts of planning a wedding, the cost. It’s fun to dream up all the beautiful things for a wedding but the reality is that each of those ideas come with a price tag and when you pull all those costs together, they can add up very quickly. Often times couples come into the planning process with no realistic idea of what a wedding actually costs and it can leave them feeling very overwhelmed and in complete sticker shock. So, I wanted to share some helpful information about the realistic costs of some of those larger ticket items so that you can create a realistic budget for your big day. Now keep in mind that the pricing of venues and wedding professionals can range greatly depending on the area/loction, their experience/knowledge/licensing and certifications/education/years in business, etc. but, this should give you a good idea of where to start with your budget. As I am a Wedding Planner in the Philadelphia suburbs, the numbers I am providing below are based on the price points and averages that I tend to see in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas.
Venue
The cost of a venue can vary greatly depending on the location, the size, what is included and not included, etc. But, expect to spend somewhere between $2,500 to about $8,500 for the venue fee alone.
Caterer
Your food and beverage costs are usually the highest ticket item. Usually 45 to 50% of your overall budget. You need to provide your guests with food and beverages so it’s a necessary part of the day and the budget. Most food and beverage costs are calculated based on a per person price. So, the more people you have in attendance, the higher the price. Expect to spend between $95 to $250 per person for food and beverages, depending on the caterer, their menu options, the area/venues they work in, the style of service (meaning buffet, plated/seated, family style, food truck, etc.) and the extent of their services provided (are they full service meaning they set up, serve, clear plates and trash from tables, fully bartend, take out the trash, clean the space afterwards, etc. or do they just serve the food and nothing else). There are definitely less expensive options out there, such as food trucks, which can offer your guests delicious food options and a fun and exciting dinner experience. However, remember that you will still need people to help clear tables and trash and you will need RAMP certified bartenders to help serve alcohol to your guests. Keep this all in mind when you are budgeting for food and beverages.
Photography/Videography
Again, this is a service that can vary greatly in pricing. Photography and videography pricing can very much vary depending on a few different factors such as the area they work in, their education/knowledge, their experience/ their years in business and more. For a quality photographer or videographer, expect to spend anywhere between $4,500 to $10,000. Some companies offer the option of booking both photography and videography through the same company as a bundle deal which can often times save you a few hundred dollars. The photos and video are the things you will have to look back on for years to come and rememeber your special day so make sure you find a good quality photographer and videographer who fits your needs, style and your budget.
Hair & Makeup
Hair and makeup artists can also vary in pricing depending on their education/experience/years in business as well as the size and experience of their team and the type of products that they use. For Bridal hair & makeup, expect to spend between $150 to $350 per service. Most Bride’s hire a hair and makeup team to help get them ready for the big day as well as their wedding party and special VIP’s such as mothers, grandmothers and sometimes even flower girls. Your wedding party and VIP’s should be prepared to pay between $95 to $200 per service. If you are wanting to add the option for your wedding party and VIP’s to get ready with you, talk with your hair and makeup artist to discuss how many stylists will be needed for your group and whether you are all coming to their studio/salon or if they are coming to your getting ready location as they may require additional service, travel and parking fees.
DJ/ Band
Bands and DJ’s usually cost very different amounts. DJ’s tend to be less expensive options and typically range between $1,250 and $2,500. Bands however, can often cost between $6,500 to $12,000 or more depending on how many musicians and singers are in the band. The larger the band, the higher the cost.
Florist
Flowers are something that vary greatly. This can depend on the type of flowers, the amount of florals and greens you are needing, your guest count and size of your wedding party, the season, the florist’s style and their minimums (a lot of florists do have a minimum cost so make sure you check into this information to see if they will be within your budget before inquiring with a florist). Expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 on your florals for your wedding. If you are looking to keep costs on the lower end of this price range, talk with your florist or wedding planner about options to cut costs but still keep the look and feel you are going for.
Wedding Cake
Wedding cake costs can also vary greatly depending on your guest count, size of the cake, style and design of the cake, flavors options and delivery and set up fees. A lot of couples these days are opting to do a smaller cutting cake that is meant more for just photos and not meant to feed their whole crowd, or opt to not do a cake at all. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you talk to your caterer about offering other dessert options for your guests instead. Smaller cutting cakes (meaning a 1-2 tiered cake) typically tend to cost between $150 to $400. If you opt to do the full size wedding cake to feed all your guests, expect to budget between $450 to $850.
Wedding Attire
Wedding dresses/gowns will vary as well depending on the designer, the materials, the quality, etc. On average, wedding gowns can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 (or more). Make sure you give yourself a realistic budget for your needs and come into your appointment prepared to stick to your budget. You also want to make sure you factor in things like your alterations and accessories. Alterations typically cost between $450 to $1,200 so make sure you budget for that. Wedding party dresses typically tend to cost between $95 to $500 and your ladies should prepare to spend between $50 to $250 on their alterations as well (depending on what they need to get done). For the guys, suits can be rented or purchased, depending on the look and style you are going for. Rented suits typically range between $150 to $250 and purchased suits can often range from about $200 to $500 (or more, depending on how custom you go with the look).
According to some of the larger wedding sources online, the average cost of a wedding is $30,000 however, this is a very basic overall average that does not factor in things like different areas and demographics, style of a wedding or guest counts. All of those facotrs will play a major role in your overall budget for your wedding so make sure you do some research on local wedding venues and professionals prices before deciding on an official overall wedding budget. Having a Wedding Planner to help you navigate this process can help you better understand your budget, better manage your budget and help you get the most bang for your buck.
I’m hoping this blog will help you better prepare for your wedding day costs and expenses and help you create an overall budget that works for your wedding needs and leaves you with less stress and overwhelm when it comes to talking price. When you have more information upfront it will help you better navigate difficult conversations like; where you want to cut the costs and where you might want to splurge. Your overall budget matters in making these decisions and it helps to have these conversations early on so that you can make sure that you and your partner are on the same page.
Happy Budgeting and Happy Planning!
<3 Naticia