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Forget battling with your bridesmaids over those dresses. The biggest challenge for today's bride usually comes down to a single word: "MONEY". According to Bride's Magazine, it takes close to $19,000 to turn a dream day into reality. It's not as bad as it looks though, because this figure includes just about everything. In fact, knowing where your money is going from the start might be your best bet for strategic -- and successful -- budgeting. Take a look:
Average Wedding Costs:
Bride's 2004 State of the Union Report
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Stationery (invitations,
advertisement announcement, thank-you notes, etc.): $374
Bouquets and other flowers: $775
Photography, videography: $1,253
Wedding favors: $240
Music: $745
Clergy, church, chapel, synagogue fee: $248
Limo rental: $427
Attendants' gifts: $299
Wedding rings: $1,060
Engagement ring: $2,982
Rehearsal dinner: $762
Bride's wedding dress: $790
Bride's headpiece/veil: $150
Bridal attendants' apparel (average of five): $720
Mother of the bride's apparel: $198
Groom's formalwear (rented): $100
Formalwear for ushers (average of 5), best man (rented): $400
Reception (average of 186 guests): $7,246
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The average cost of a wedding also varies by region:
New York Metro: $31,777
(NY, CT, NJ)
Southeast: $17,142
(NC, SC, GA, FL, TN, KY, AL, MS, VA, WV)
Midwest: $19,324
(IL, MN, WI, IN)
West Coast: $17, 517
(CA, AZ, TX, NV)
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