How Much Will My Wedding Cost?

Most engaged couples will pay more for their wedding than either of them paid for their cars. According to a 2009 survey by The Knot, the average cost of a wedding is a whopping $27,800. Even if you plan to spend much less than this, it's easy for your budget to get out of hand if you're unable to reconcile your dream wedding with one you can realistically afford.

Main Wedding Costs

So how do wedding prices get so high? Some components of a wedding, like the reception, eat up a large chunk of the wedding costs. However, other expenses like attire, flowers, beauty treatments, transportation and gratuities can add up quickly, increasing the total amount you spend on your wedding by several thousand dollars. Here are the most common wedding expenses and their average costs. Keep in mind that these are average wedding costs--your wedding prices could be much less or much more, depending on factors such as where you live, your budget, etc.:

• Attire: Obviously, the bride's dress, headpiece, veil and accessories are the biggest deal here, costing an average of $1,166. In addition to these items, the attire for the groom, bridal attendants, ushers, groomsmen and mothers will cost another $1,656.
• Beauty: Many brides spend the day of their wedding at a salon or spa with their bridal attendants, getting their hair, makeup and nails done. This adds an average of $357 to the bill.
• Church, chapel or synagogue fee: Considering this is where the actual ceremony takes place for many people, the fee for religious wedding sites is actually quite small in comparison to the rest of the festivities. This should only cost an average of $297. But in addition to the site fee, remember to generously recognize your officiant, too--either with a monetary token of thanks or with an invitation to the reception.
• Flowers: Floral arrangements are a big part of your budget. In addition to the bridal bouquet, you'll need bouquets for all the bridal attendants and corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom. Don't forget about floral decorations for the church. All told, you'll spend an average of $967 of your wedding budget on flowers.
• Gifts: Good manners require that the married couple thank their wedding guests by giving them wedding favors, which cost an average of $241. In addition, couples spend an average of $510 on gifts for their attendants.
• Music: If you hire someone to sing or play at the ceremony, you'll pay an average of $900. Expect to pay an average of $2,500 for a DJ or band at your reception.
• Photography and videography: A big chunk of your wedding budget will likely go to the people in charge of preserving your memories forever. The average cost for a wedding photographer or videographer is $1,814.
• Reception: The big party you throw after you say "I do" is the largest of all your wedding costs. The average price for the reception alone is $7,630. By the way, that's just for the dinner and site rental. It doesn't include the band, DJ, wedding cake or other entertainment.
• Rings: Grooms-to-be can expect to drop an average of $3,576 on the engagement ring alone. Wedding bands run an average total of $1,301.
• Stationery: Wedding costs for stationary can also be high, because the cost of invitations, thank-you cards and announcements add up quickly. The total cost for all printed materials averages around $381.
• Wedding cake: The traditional dessert will run you about $500, so remember that before you start smushing it into each other's faces.