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Average Cost of a Wedding: Spending $30,000 Is So 2007

SavvySugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:30:38 -0700

Couples in love have continued tying the knot during the recession, but they're spending a lot less money doing it. The average cost of a wedding in the US was $30,000 in 2007, an approximation that has since been reduced by nearly 30 percent. According to statistics from The Wedding Report, the average cost for a wedding in 2008 was $21,814 and that price tag was already slashed to $19,219 in the first quarter of 2009.

The figure represents a national average, and like anything else cost will vary depending on geography - the higher your cost of living, the more you'll probably pay for the big day. Beautiful weddings can be done on a small budget, but it's a good idea to understand the average cost of things in your area so you can plan accordingly and have an idea of the difference between deal and a premium quote. Curious what couples are shelling out in your city? To find out, read more.

Enter your zip code in the space below to find out a range for what couples are spending on their weddings (you'll be taken to the Cost of a Wedding website). San Francisco couples are spending between $33,963 and $56,604; what's the range where you live?

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How Much the Average Couple Spends on Their Big Day

SavvySugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:49:14 -0700

The average price tag on weddings in the US is around $30,000 - yikes! Because the cost of living varies greatly from place to place, the cost of the average wedding in San Francisco varies from the average cost of a wedding in Charlotte, and everywhere in between. The one thing you can count on is that most venues and vendors make sticking to a budget very difficult - wedding bells are followed by dollar signs, but if you know what to expect it can make setting up a budget less of a frustrating process. If you won't be eloping to Vegas then you need to be able to grasp all of the price information that's thrown at you, so you don't end up choosing the most expensive everything out of a lack of patience and preparation. Find out how much the average couple in your city spends on one of the most important days of their lives when you read more

Enter the zip code of the city where you plan on getting married in the widget below, and it generates an average cost based on a laundry list of expenses and breaks down the overall cost into smaller categories. It lets you see the average price paid for photographer, honeymoon, decorations, rehearsal dinner, etc. The site makes a great point: "Understanding average wedding costs now can help you with your wedding budget later."
If all of the zeros behind the average cost are making you nervous, stay tuned for some tips on how to budget for your big day!

Wedding Cost by CostofWedding.com

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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6 Ways to Cut Libation Costs at Your Wedding

YumSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:50:06 -0700

Regardless of your budget, it's inevitable that this year's recession woes will impact your wedding. Still, you shouldn't let a tight spending plan stop you from celebrating one of the biggest days of your life. There are many areas where you can cut costs, but one easy place to start is with drinks. Here are some cost-cutting beverage tips that won't spoil your wedding bash. Source

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Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season, Part III

SavvySugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:28:17 -0700

While you may not see your savings account grow during wedding season, you can do your best to see that it doesn't shrink or completely vanish. Most engagements average about a year, and usually you're aware of which weddings will include you on their guest list far in advance. A flexible rule of thumb: If you're surprised to receive an invitation to someone's wedding and it requires many expenses, send the couple a gift but don't attend. Of course, if you can afford it by all means make the trip, but if your wedding season has you fretting about money it's OK to say no thank you. Discover my three-step wedding season budget plan when you read more.

After you've had your pouting pity party because you have so many added expenses, do realize that you're lucky to have good friends who want to share their lives with you. Here's my wedding-season money plan:

Promise yourself that you won't go into debt during wedding season. If you think your many events are expensive now, consider how much more they will be when you pay interest on whatever you charge to your credit card. Think about how long it will realistically take for you to pay off these charges and make a plan to avoid this situation.
Create a spreadsheet or simply make a list of all of your anticipated wedding-related events, and estimate how much you'll need for each event. Include everything you can possibly think of - travel costs, apparel, gifts, food and drinks, accommodations, etc. It's always safest to be generous with your estimates because as we all know, things can cost more than you expect and surprises do happen.
Once you've figured out how much you'll need to save for each event, use a savings calculator to figure out how much you need to save each month in order to have X amount of money with certain dates in mind. Set up your bank account to have this amount automatically transferred from your checking account to your savings. If you can't tweak your spending enough to afford the monthly amount you've calculated, save whatever you can.

Check out all of our wedding season coverage at IDoSugar.

Bella Pictures

Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season, Part I

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:03:04 -0700

Memorial Day weekend suggests that Summer is just around the corner and is also the unofficial kickoff to an eventful wedding season. I've suggested plenty of budgeting tips for brides to be, but this edition is all about budgeting for your friends' big days. Looking ahead at the rest of 2008 has got me slightly stressed because of the many bachelorette parties and weddings that I'll be attending, and every event will require plane tickets, hotel stays, new apparel, and gifts. I know through good planning I'll be able to enjoy my Summer of witnessing wedding love and be the best bridesmaid and guest possible.

First and foremost, try and take the bitter out of the equation. Yes, weddings can be insanely expensive as a bridesmaid or guest, and I know that costs add up. But don't make your friends feel badly for all deciding to get married at the same time - it isn't a plot against you or your bank account. Like any relationship, friendships involve give and take, and your newlywed friends will be there when it's your turn or have been there for you already. Your friends will sense your bitterness and will prove that bitterness goes both ways. This is a time to make good memories, not to be talking behind each other's backs about so and so's ridiculously expensive tastes.

That doesn't mean that you should let the bride kick you around and be insensitive to her friends or unrealistic about her needs and wants. Some brides are highly demanding, but if you go into the situation with a good attitude, you're more likely to win her over with some of your lower-cost suggestions. Whether you're in the bridal party or you're a guest at the wedding, the bride-to-be has included you because you're her friend, and it's not part of some evil plot to make you go broke. Keep that in mind when the bitter-bug starts creeping.

Stay tuned for some of my tips for surviving a busy wedding season, and check out all our wedding coverage at IDoSugar.

Bella Pictures

Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season, Part II

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:28:45 -0700

Is your Summer calendar full of weddings and all of the events surrounding them? Are you trying not to make anymore female friends so that you don't have to add another one to the list? Just kidding. But wedding season can make you realize how many people you actually know, and how much money it will take for you to attend the Summer lovefest. Here are some of my survival tips.

Only attend the events that you can afford! If you really can't manage to pay for a bachelorette party / bridal shower / plane tickets to fly to a destination, simply don't go. The wedding is not optional if you're a close friend or in the wedding party, but brides will likely understand if you can't attend one of the other events because of money issues. Be honest with the bride and don't make up some lame excuse - she'll likely be understanding, thank you for your candor, and focus on the time you will have together.
Save on shoes: If you don't already have shoes that go with your bridesmaids dresses, try and buy a pair in a neutral color that will go with many shades of dress. And if the bride insists that everyone get matching shoes and presents an unreasonably priced pair, there's always room for suggestions. Try and hunt down a pair that looks similar and costs less - a bride has so many decisions to make, it's likely she didn't exhaust her bridal party footwear search and will be open to alternatives.

I have two more tips for wedding guests and bridesmaids alike, so just read more

Wedding gifts: Some people are naturally gifted in a crafty way and can create an inexpensive gift that's better and more thoughtful than anything on a registry. For the rest of us, there's the beautiful thing that is collective gifts. If you can't bear to give your friends a cookbook holder and mixing bowls, why not pitch in on one of the bigger ticket items with some other girls? The bride will appreciate that you all took the time to pick out a gift together and won't think anything of the fact that the card is signed by more than one person.
Swap dresses: If you have girlfriends who are the same size, suggest sharing dresses throughout wedding season to make your wardrobes stretch. Just make sure to respect something borrowed and take good care so you don't find yourself shelling out money to replace a damaged dress!

Check out all of our wedding season coverage at IDoSugar.

Bella Pictures

What Do You Consider a Reasonable Wedding Cost?

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:24:29 -0700

As we judge the cost of everything from jeans and shoes to jewelry and cars, we make judgments on what is a reasonable wedding price tag and what is expensive. This appraisal not only depends on how much we can afford to spend on a wedding but how much we are willing to spend. With the average wedding in the US costing almost $30,000, it would seem that all of our opinions on what we consider to be reasonable should together fall closely to that number. Let's find out, shall we?

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.

Bella Pictures

You Asked: The Pots on Her Wedding Registry Cost $700!

DearSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--

My husband's sister is getting married and I asked her if she wants cash or something from her registry for her wedding present. She told me that she really wanted the pots and pans that she registered for. When I checked how much they were, I found out they cost $700! I asked some other family members if they wanted to go in on it with us, but they've already gotten presents.

That's so much more money than we wanted to give as a present so is it okay to give them a similar (yet cheaper) set of pots that aren't on their registry?

--Need to Know Nancy

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Need to Know Nancy--

First of all, I'm a bit surprised that your sister-in-law would expect that you and your husband would spend that much on a wedding present since I am assuming you are also a part of her wedding party which is also quite expensive. With that said, since they asked for a specific set, you shouldn't get them something different that they won't be happy with.

If I were you, I would give them a gift certificate for the store where they registered. That way they can use their gift card (plus the cash they receive from other wedding presents) to buy that set of pots they really want. I hope this helps Nancy!

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Bella Interview: The Dolly Rockers Talk Beauty

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:30:00 -0700

The Dolly Rockers, a British all girl musical trio (made famous from The X Factor in 2006), are making their way into the mainstream scene - looking beautiful might I add! Their new single "Gold Digger" will drop on 30th August and I've got the exclusive on the products and inspirations that keep Brooke, Lucie and Sophie looking so saucy!

Girls Aloud has partnered with Eyelure to create their own sets of false eyelashes for each member of the band. Would you ever consider a project like this?
We'd love to bring out a range of beauty products, or work with someone like Barry M who always has such fun makeup.
Which of your video makeup looks is your favourite?
I think when we first started doing photo shoots and videos we went a bit OTT with the hair and makeup. It has toned down a bit now and looks a lot better. We were starting to look like trannies!
Where do you draw your inspiration from when creating new beauty looks for photo shoots, videos or concerts?
We always look through fashion magazines like Dazed & Confused for inspiration, as there are always interesting fashion stories. We obviously have to tone it down a bit as everything looks a bit better on a six foot fashion model!

To find out what they have to say about their fashion influences and for more on their musical plans for the future, click here. For now, see more hot pics of the girls and to find out their secrets to beautiful skin and hair and the one product they can't live without, read more.

View 5 Photos ›

What are your secrets to beautiful skin and hair?
Always take your makeup off - although, when you stagger in at 4am it’s not always what you think of! Oh, and blue eye drops. They're great for tired or bloodshot eyes, plus they're moisturising!
You girls are into big hair. What styling products/tools can’t you live without?
We all swear by these pink curlers that cost £11 from Superdrug - they’re amazing!

Deborah Law/BigPicturesPhoto.com and WireImage

6 Summertime Savings Tips

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:06:13 -0700

It's hard to maintain a budget when the weather outside is delightful, the calendar is packed with Summer weddings, and Travelzoo's weekly deals email to remind you there's a beachy paradise awaiting you on the other side of the globe. Summertime saving requires extra effort and restraint, but it is possible. Check out some of these guides for some added support.

10 Ways to Make Spending Less More Painless	Guide to Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season	Travel Websites For Big-Time Bargains
Simple Rules For Cutting Food Costs	10 Simple Ways to Go Green and Save Green	Simple Steps For Creating a Spending Plan