Question:

I can see your situation, but when your friends are spending, at least in our case, hundreds of dollars to travel, pay for lodging, and then rent clothing that you’ve picked out…wouldn’t it be nice to pass along a fraction of these savings to them? They ARE doing a lot for you and your groom to be in YOUR wedding, at YOUR request. Just not something I would want to do to my friends – if I could have made it any cheaper/easier for them to do us that honor of standing with us, I would have and I offered. Obviously, this is just my opinion…not saying you’re wrong, I just don’t understand why anyone would WANT to keep the "windfall" – in this case, in the form of substantial savings – from your friends spending money to do YOU a favor. Amy

** **Groom’s attire       $ 100 ** $85 – don’t understand "groom’s tux free" or people who take advantage of ** it…why aren’t you passing along some of those savings to your friends? ** ** ** Amy ** ** **I can’t speak for anyone else and their motivations, but in our **situation, the groom is paying for the vast majority of the entire **wedding (he makes a lot more than I do, but I have contributed some — **my creativity if nothing else ), so it was certainly nice to see that ***something* would be free for him. ** **Lisa — Amy Breslin Program Assistant THE Ohio State University Materials Science and Engineering Dept.

Response:

**Groom’s attire       $ 100 $85 – don’t understand "groom’s tux free" or people who take advantage of it…why aren’t you passing along some of those savings to your friends? Amy

I can’t speak for anyone else and their motivations, but in our situation, the groom is paying for the vast majority of the entire wedding (he makes a lot more than I do, but I have contributed some — my creativity if nothing else ), so it was certainly nice to see that *something* would be free for him. Lisa

Response:

Bridal Consultant    $1500 none for us (OK, the church has a coordinator that you must use – $100)

$0 – our church had one too Bride’s accessories  $ 100 $0 (earrings are the borrowed, already have necklace)

$30 – earrings, garter – borrowed necklace Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 $65

$0 – did my own Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 $80

$110 Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 $125-130 (awesome framed pictures w/dried, pressed flowers and 1928 pink porcelain earrings)

$400 – 14K gold "y" necklaces with matching earrings (they wore in ceremony) Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 $0 (can’t get everyone together fast enough)

$450 – my mom went all out Ceremony music       $  75 $100 for organist (who is also the cantor – he’s in Tosca, what a voice!)

$150 – organist Ceremony site        $ 200 $150

$200 Flowers              $ 750 $650 ($90 paid by the other couple to split altarpieces)

$1200 – groom’s family paid for Groom’s accessories  $  40 $0 $0 Groom’s attire       $ 100 $0 (rent 7 tuxes, get the grooms free)

$56 – we won 40% tux rental at a bridal show, and groom spread the cost of his free one across the other’s cost. (orig. price $105 each) Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 $150 (engraved glass beer steins with pewter)

$250 – North Face fanny packs $320 – groomsmen’s party (catered at billiard hall, while the ladies were at the bridesmaid luncheon) Honeymoon            $3000 $3600 (Couples, here we come!)

$4000 – Grand Cayman – yikes! Invitations          $ 350 $300 ($168 for invitations, $100 for postage)

$350 – (postage & invites) Marriage license     $  40 $50

$60 Medical tests        $  40 $0 (none needed in California!)

$0 (none needed in Oregon!) Officiant’s fee      $  50 $100 (voluntary amount but he is a friend of the family)

$100 Photography          $1000 $700 (for the day, includes proofs & negatives but no reprints)

$1000 (for the day, includes proofs, etc. no reprints.  Includes 16-page album) Prenuptial agreement $ 100 $0000000

$nope Reception            $7000 $600 site, $3500 catering, $500 alcohol

$10,000 – FYI, 165 people drank 79 bottles of wine, 20 bottles of champagne and 2 kegs of beer Reception music      $1000 $550 for DJ

$450 for DJ Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 $400-500 (paid by his parents)

$2400 groom’s parents hosted (40 people – open bar, steak, salmon… the works) Videography          $ 850 $550 $0 – my brother Wedding cake         $ 200 $0 (including in catering package) $200 Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 $??? (trolley – paid by his parents, who didn’t tell us) $180 stretch limo Wedding favors       $ 100 $100 (Christmas ornaments with ribbons)

$200 Hershey bars with "Kim & Chase" wrappers Wedding gown         $ 700 $275 (for two dresses, but I’m only wearing one!) $45 for alterations (bustle w/ 9 loops, take in waist & arms, bra loops)

$800 – includes dress, alterations, shoes, nylons & bra Wedding-night suite  $ 150 $0 (included)

$300 Wedding rings        $ 500 $250 Mark’s, $850 total for mine

$550 for his, $1800 total for mine (custome design, engagement ring included) Total Cost of Wedding $19,349

Total Cost: $25,556.  OH MY. (Kim & Chase) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – lisa

Response:

<<Bridal Consultant    $1500 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 It doesn’t even list the bridal gown!!!!!

Sure it does…it’s at the bottom.  Average is $700.

Response:

: <<Bridal Consultant    $1500 : Bride’s accessories  $ 100 : Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 : Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 : It doesn’t even list the bridal gown!!!!! Even though the amended list does, it hardly gives enough information to be useful in any way beyond indicating whether any given couple is spending more or less money, sum total, on their wedding than the couples in the sample spent. Is the average cost for any given item an average of *all* survey participants’ costs or an average among those participants who purchased the items named?  It makes a difference.  For example, a prenup.  Not everyone does this.  So, if you have 10 couples, and 2 have prenuptial agreements, one couple pays $400 and the other pays $600, and the other 8 pay $0…that "averages" out to $100.  But that average figure says *nothing* about whether one can reasonably expect to get a prenup drawn up for $100.  OTOH, if you just include the samples who *did* have a prenup, the average cost comes to $500–an average which is more than some people paid, but less than other people paid, and probably a more realistic indication of what it costs to have a prenup drawn up. Just a pet peeve.  I always wonder how many zeros figure into "average budgets" that are broken down into specifics, simply because not everyone has favors or a bridesmaids’ luncheon or medical tests…sooo…are couples who have bridesmaids’ luncheons spending an average of $150 on them, or are half of us skipping that tradition and the other half spending an average of $300? Karen — Karen L. Greenberg

Response:

<<Bridal Consultant    $1500 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 It doesn’t even list the bridal gown!!!!! We’re looking at about $12,000,. much to my dismay.

Bridal Gown is listed as Wedding Gown – $ 700   Personally seems a little low from the dresses I saw in salons, but it’s good to see many people are not paying those prices.  Mine’s $375 plus around $50 alterations.

Response:

This is kinda cool.  Here’s what our numbers were… Bridal Consultant    $1500

$0 (our mom’s worked for free ) Bride’s accessories  $ 100

$0 – borrowed Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70

$0 — did myself Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 $20 — made myself Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200

$25 — only one MOH Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175

$0 Ceremony music       $  75

$0 — made tapes from CDs Ceremony site        $ 200

$125 Flowers              $ 750

$300 Groom’s accessories  $  40

$0 Groom’s attire       $ 100

$75 Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200

$60 Honeymoon            $3000

$2000 Invitations          $ 350

$150 Marriage license     $  40

$40 Medical tests        $  40

$0 Officiant’s fee      $  50

$100 – a gift not a fee Photography          $1000

$1000 (after ordering individual prints) Prenuptial agreement $ 100

$0 Reception            $7000

Food:  $900; Rentals: $250;  Alcohal: $300;  Hall Rental: $70 Reception music      $1000

$400 Rehearsal dinner     $ 500

Pizza party ??? Videography          $ 850

$0 Wedding cake         $ 200

$100 Wedding-day transportation    $ 200

$0 Wedding favors       $ 100

$50 Wedding gown         $ 700

$150 Wedding-night suite  $ 150

$100 Wedding rings        $ 500

$150 Personally, I know we’re not going to spend that much on anything, except for the honeymoon (we’re budgeting $5000 for that). The things we’re not doing (no coordinator, no prenup, etc.) really add up!

Yup, it’s amazing when you don’t have the things your supposed to have (such as a limo or videography) how much you don’t spend.  I wonder how many people this average wedding was for: we had about 100 guests. Carrie — Maryland Sea Grant              the annoyance of a good example. University of Maryland                  –Mark Twain http://www.wam.umd.edu/~carrie/welcome.html

Response:

this is neat!  Here is our split: : Bridal Consultant    $1500 $0 : Bride’s accessories  $ 100 $0 : Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 $30 : Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 (not sure yet – probably $0) : Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 $40 : Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 $0 (only one bridesmaid who lives way far away) : Ceremony music       $  75 $0 : Ceremony site        $ 200 $300 (to rent the hall in case of rain) : Flowers              $ 750 $100 for the garden.  I am carrying wild flowers and basil from the garden. : Groom’s accessories  $  40 $0 : Groom’s attire       $ 100 $100 : Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 $150 : Honeymoon            $3000 not sure if we can afford one yet : Invitations          $ 350 $150 (I am designing them) : Marriage license     $  40 $50 : Medical tests        $  40 $0 (not necessary in canada) : Officiant’s fee      $  50 $0 : Photography          $1000 $350 for 3 hours + $50 per roll : Prenuptial agreement $ 100 $0 : Reception            $7000 $4000 : Reception music      $1000 $0 (local choir is singing for free) : Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 $0 (not having one) : Videography          $ 850 $0 (groom’s grandfather is doing it – keep him busy) : Wedding cake         $ 200 $0 (not having one) : Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 $0 (friend is loaning us his 1914 Depo Hack) : Wedding favors       $ 100 $0 : Wedding gown         $ 700 $800 : Wedding-night suite  $ 150 $75 (B & B) : Wedding rings        $ 500 about $400 each (custom made) : Total Cost of Wedding $19,349 without honeymoon $7245.00 Canadian funds WOW that’s more than I thought. This was quite helpful! Megan (and Brent) June 14, 1997

Response:

Keep in mind that these costs vary greatly from state to state and are probably an average.  A  N.Y. city wedding would probably be more and a wedding in a more rural area may be less. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got my November/December issue of Bridal Guide today, and in it they had a free wedding planner. I thought that you guys might be interested in what they say is the avg cost of the wedding: Bridal Consultant    $1500 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 Ceremony music       $  75 Ceremony site        $ 200 Flowers              $ 750 Groom’s accessories  $  40 Groom’s attire       $ 100 Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 Honeymoon            $3000 Invitations          $ 350 Marriage license     $  40 Medical tests        $  40 Officiant’s fee      $  50 Photography          $1000 Prenuptial agreement $ 100 Reception            $7000 Reception music      $1000 Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 Videography          $ 850 Wedding cake         $ 200 Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 Wedding favors       $ 100 Wedding gown         $ 700 Wedding-night suite  $ 150 Wedding rings        $ 500 Total Cost of Wedding $19,349 ——- Personally, I know we’re not going to spend that much on anything, except for the honeymoon (we’re budgeting $5000 for that). The things we’re not doing (no coordinator, no prenup, etc.) really add up! lisa

Response:

I just got my November/December issue of Bridal Guide today, and in it they had a free wedding planner. I thought that you guys might be interested in what they say is the avg cost of the wedding: Bridal Consultant    $1500 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 Ceremony music       $  75 Ceremony site        $ 200 Flowers              $ 750 Groom’s accessories  $  40 Groom’s attire       $ 100 Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 Honeymoon            $3000 Invitations          $ 350 Marriage license     $  40 Medical tests        $  40 Officiant’s fee      $  50 Photography          $1000 Prenuptial agreement $ 100 Reception            $7000 Reception music      $1000 Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 Videography          $ 850 Wedding cake         $ 200 Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 Wedding favors       $ 100 Wedding gown         $ 700 Wedding-night suite  $ 150 Wedding rings        $ 500 Total Cost of Wedding $19,349 ——- Personally, I know we’re not going to spend that much on anything, except for the honeymoon (we’re budgeting $5000 for that). The things we’re not doing (no coordinator, no prenup, etc.) really add up! lisa

Response:

Oops – that only totals $6720! Add: wedding bubbles & labels ($55) ringbearers tux ($45) ?????? Obviously, I’m spacing out because I can’t remember what else we’ve spent or what on (being 3 weeks away will do that to you).  I think we’ve spent about $13,000 total. kellie

Response:

Bridal Consultant    $1500

none for us (OK, the church has a coordinator that you must use – $100) Bride’s accessories  $ 100

$0 (earrings are the borrowed, already have necklace) Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70

$65 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150

$80 Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200

$125-130 (awesome framed pictures w/dried, pressed flowers and 1928 pink porcelain earrings) Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175

$0 (can’t get everyone together fast enough) Ceremony music       $  75

$100 for organist (who is also the cantor – he’s in Tosca, what a voice!) Ceremony site        $ 200

$150 Flowers              $ 750

$650 ($90 paid by the other couple to split altarpieces) Groom’s accessories  $  40

$0 Groom’s attire       $ 100

$0 (rent 7 tuxes, get the grooms free) Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200

$150 (engraved glass beer steins with pewter) Honeymoon            $3000

$3600 (Couples, here we come!) Invitations          $ 350

$300 ($168 for invitations, $100 for postage) Marriage license     $  40

$50 Medical tests        $  40

$0 (none needed in California!) Officiant’s fee      $  50

$100 (voluntary amount but he is a friend of the family) Photography          $1000

$700 (for the day, includes proofs & negatives but no reprints) Prenuptial agreement $ 100

$0000000 Reception            $7000

$600 site, $3500 catering, $500 alcohol Reception music      $1000

$550 for DJ Rehearsal dinner     $ 500

$400-500 (paid by his parents) Videography          $ 850

$550 Wedding cake         $ 200

$0 (including in catering package) Wedding-day transportation    $ 200

$??? (trolley – paid by his parents, who didn’t tell us) Wedding favors       $ 100

$100 (Christmas ornaments with ribbons) Wedding gown         $ 700

$275 (for two dresses, but I’m only wearing one!) $45 for alterations (bustle w/ 9 loops, take in waist & arms, bra loops) Wedding-night suite  $ 150

$0 (included) Wedding rings        $ 500

$250 Mark’s, $850 total for mine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Total Cost of Wedding $19,349 lisa

Response:

Bridal Consultant    $1500 none for us

$0 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 $0 (earrings are the borrowed, already have necklace)

$29 for earrings (that I love!); am borrowing cameo necklace from his grandmother Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 $65

$25 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 $80

Um, about $10 (made it myself) Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 $125-130 (awesome framed pictures w/dried, pressed flowers and 1928 pink porcelain earrings)

$34 (for 2) — memory boxes (box that holds photos with a collage frame on the cover — my BMs are crazy for photos) Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 $0 (can’t get everyone together fast enough)

$0 (same here ) Ceremony music       $  75 $100 for organist (who is also the cantor – he’s in Tosca, what a voice!)

possibly $0 — we are having a *very* difficult time finding a pianist, so we’ll probably end up using our own classical CDs (which I prefer anway ) Ceremony site        $ 200 $150

$50 Flowers              $ 750 $650 ($90 paid by the other couple to split altarpieces)

about $150 (did all the bouquets and pewbows myself) Groom’s accessories  $  40 $0

$0 Groom’s attire       $ 100 $0 (rent 7 tuxes, get the grooms free)

$0 (rent 6, get groom’s free) Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 $150 (engraved glass beer steins with pewter)

about $35 (for 2) — engraved Cross pens (price doesn’t include engraving,  which was more than I wanted to spend — $22 –this is the one thing that’s sticking in my craw) Honeymoon            $3000 $3600 (Couples, here we come!)

$1700 — for hotel (4 star) and airfare to Cozumel, Mexico Invitations          $ 350 $300 ($168 for invitations, $100 for postage)

$180 (a bit of an extravagance, but they were *perfect* for a Christmas themed wedding ); $20-30 for postage Marriage license     $  40 $50

$27.50 (but haven’t gotten it yet) Medical tests        $  40 $0 (none needed in California!)

 $0 Officiant’s fee      $  50 $100 (voluntary amount but he is a friend of the family)

$75 Photography          $1000 $700 (for the day, includes proofs & negatives but no reprints)

$545 (plus $160 from his and my parents for their own album of 80-90 pictures) — inlcudes 4 hrs of coverage, 24 8×10’s, and an album of 80-90 pictures (same as parents) Prenuptial agreement $ 100 $0000000

?? $0 Reception            $7000 $600 site, $3500 catering, $500 alcohol

$1300 — includes unlimited food, drink (including bar), wedding cake, groom’s cake, and DJ Reception music      $1000 $550 for DJ

see above Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 $400-500 (paid by his parents)

probably under $200 (for 18-20 people) — paid for by FILs (they don’t have to pay upfront per head like some places, just whatever everyone eats ) Videography          $ 850 $550

$0 — friend of the grooms’ family doing this with FFILs camera (this same friend did my FBILs wedding last May, and the brides mother said if she knew he was going to do such a great job, she wouldn’t have paid for a professional). Wedding cake         $ 200 $0 (including in catering package)

included Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 $??? (trolley – paid by his parents, who didn’t tell us)

$172.50 for limo that my mother is paying for because she wanted us to have one so badly Wedding favors       $ 100 $100 (Christmas ornaments with ribbons)

$20-30 — Christmas Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses in a little brandy glass (decorated) — my mother’s doing this too Wedding gown         $ 700 $275 (for two dresses, but I’m only wearing one!) $45 for alterations (bustle w/ 9 loops, take in waist & arms, bra

loops) $498 – alterations free Wedding-night suite  $ 150 $0 (included)

$135 Wedding rings        $ 500 $250 Mark’s, $850 total for mine

$315 + $60 for engraving (definitely more than I wanted to spend) Lisa "Sun is bad for you. Everything our parents said was good is bad. Sun, milk, red meat,…college." (Annie Hall)

Response:

<<Bridal Consultant    $1500 Bride’s accessories  $ 100 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 It doesn’t even list the bridal gown!!!!! We’re looking at about $12,000,. much to my dismay.

Response:

Excerpts from netnews.alt.wedding: 19-Nov-96 Re: Avg Wedding Cost by It doesn’t even list the bridal gown!!!!!

Oooooops!! Sorry!!! Bridal gown $700

Response:

These prices are for a wedding for 85 guests in rural PA.  I didn’t try to cut any corners but still came in _way_ below the magazine’s estimate because of regional variations and because we didn’t do somethings, like have a consultant, a videographer, or a DJ.                                                 Jennifer Bridal Consultant    $1500

$0 Bride’s accessories  $ 100

$0 (I already had the jewelry or borrowed it.) Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70

$50 (To buy makeup that I use all of the time now.) Bride’s headpiece    $ 150

$130 Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200

$40 (For 7 pieces of gorgeous silver jewelry that I bought in Egypt,      where the quality is high and the price is low. :- ) Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175

$0 Ceremony music       $  75

$100 (Split between organist and soloist.) Ceremony site        $ 200

$50 Flowers              $ 750

$600 (For church and reception site.) Groom’s accessories  $  40

$0 Groom’s attire       $ 100

$400 (For a really nice dark grey suit that he needed any way.) Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200

$150 (Three gift certificates to Home Depo.) Honeymoon            $3000

$1000 (For a cottage on the water in Maine for a week, plus extras.) Invitations          $ 350

$200 (Including postage.) Marriage license     $  40

$35 Medical tests        $  40

$50 (Plus an enormous amount of aggravation.) Officiant’s fee      $  50

$50 Photography          $1000

$1250 (All Day coverage and lots of pictures.) Prenuptial agreement $ 100

$0 Reception            $7000

$2000 (Food, drinks for 85 people.) Reception music      $1000

$0 Rehearsal dinner     $ 500

approx. $1500 (Food, drinks for 50 people) Videography          $ 850

$0  (Didn’t want one; don’t miss it.) Wedding cake         $ 200

$120 (Three tiers.) Wedding-day transportation    $ 200

$0 Wedding favors       $ 100

$30 Wedding gown         $ 700

$520 + 48 for alterations. Wedding-night suite  $ 150

$125 Wedding rings        $ 500

$170 for his (Great big, 18c ring bought in Egypt. :- ) $172 for mine  (Little, tiny 14c ring bought here. :-< )

Response:

I just got my November/December issue of Bridal Guide today, and in it they had a free wedding planner. I thought that you guys might be interested in what they say is the avg cost of the wedding:

Here is our take on this: Bridal Consultant    $1500

none: $0 Bride’s accessories  $ 100

none: $0 Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70

$20 for new makeup Bride’s headpiece    $ 150

$45 for ivy and flower crown Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200

dunno about this yet Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175

$0 Ceremony music       $  75

none: $0 Ceremony site        $ 200

$125, includes rain backup site Flowers              $ 750

$700 Groom’s accessories  $  40

none: $0 Groom’s attire       $ 100

along with bride’s attire (which I didn’t see): $500 Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200

again, dunno yet Honeymoon            $3000

$4000 Invitations          $ 350

$150 Marriage license     $  40

$45 Medical tests        $  40

$0 Officiant’s fee      $  50

No fee, but we are flying him and his wife out and paying for their hotel: $500 Photography          $1000

$1200 Prenuptial agreement $ 100

why? $0 Reception            $7000

$6000, food and booze Reception music      $1000

$650 DJ for 7 hours Rehearsal dinner     $ 500

we’re not paying for this, I have no idea Videography          $ 850

none: $0 Wedding cake         $ 200

$800 Wedding-day transportation    $ 200

none: $0 Wedding favors       $ 100

$500 Wedding gown         $ 700

covered under attire Wedding-night suite  $ 150

we’re going back home: $0 Wedding rings        $ 500

$500 Lee Ann & Bryan Sept. 6, 1997 —

Response:

This hurts Michael more than it hurts me, but now that we’re done with it all… **Bridal Consultant    $1500 $250 – she was a godsend on the day of the wedding, made up for any stress caused earlier. **Bride’s accessories  $ 100 We’ll say $120 (shoes, earrings, hose, the purse I bought and made my MOH carry) **Bride’s hairstyling and makeup    $70 $18 for a manicure the day of…not counting the trial run hairdo that I didn’t go back for! **Bride’s headpiece    $ 150 $6 ($6.24 with tax) **Bridesmaids’ gifts   $ 200 $200 **Bridesmaids’ luncheon    $175 Free! Friend owns restaurant, picked up tab when he saw us! **Ceremony music       $  75 $350 – three symphony musicians for 1.5 hours – awesome! **Ceremony site        $ 200 Zilch. **Flowers              $ 750 $800 **Groom’s accessories  $  40 Huh? He didn’t buy himself anything new…used grandfather’s cufflinks. **Groom’s attire       $ 100 $85 – don’t understand "groom’s tux free" or people who take advantage of it…why aren’t you passing along some of those savings to your friends? **Groomsmen’s gifts    $ 200 $160 – Timex shop manager gave us 15% off Joe Boxer watches when we said "Wedding Party" gifts! **Honeymoon            $3000 $150 for food, friends went with us (cabin in woods for long weekend), they paid for cabin. **Invitations          $ 350 $205 $150 postage **Marriage license     $  40 $40 **Medical tests        $  40 n/a **Officiant’s fee      $  50 $100 donation – at our discretion **Photography          $1000 $1300 plus any reprints beyond package offering **Prenuptial agreement $ 100 hahahahahahahaha **Reception            $7000 Catering: $7200 Centerpieces $150 Bar (provided by us) $1000 – lots, I mean LOTS left over…having a party this weekend to use up some of this surplus **Reception music      $1000 $775 – jazz quartet **Rehearsal dinner     $ 500 guessing aroung $700 between both sets of parents…InLaws also bought brunch Sunday for their friends and ours who were left $800. Bar tab after dinner for all wedding party members who were in town $200 **Videography          $ 850 Reception taped by friends who happened to bring a camera. **Wedding cake         $ 200 $0  (it was $275, but included in total price of catering) **Wedding-day transportation    $ 200 $0 **Wedding favors       $ 100 We bought 6 bags of Hershey’s Kisses and scattered them on tables…$15? **Wedding gown         $ 700 $700 – incl. tax and alterations…spooky. **Wedding-night suite  $ 150 Stayed at our place…glad we did! **Wedding rings        $ 500 Mike’s cost $0.60 – he made his out of his patented material Mine was a gift from his grandmother, cost $50 to have repaired and sized (not incl. engagement ring/wedding band set that was purchased two years ago – that’s another $5k) ** **Total Cost of Wedding $19,349 $15,524.60 …$20,524.60 if you count my other rings. We’re also taking our delayed honeymoon (romantic trip alone) to Mexico this Spring…maybe $3k. The rehearsal and brunch are also in this total…I wouldn’t have done it that way, so I’m protesting that amount. I would have preferred to get a bunch of pizzas and hang out. It was a great party…and we ended up married. That was the point. Amy — Amy Breslin Program Assistant THE Ohio State University Materials Science and Engineering Dept.

Response: