Wedding

[packinpatland]

Just curious.....what's the going rate for a wedding today.?

[Badgepack]

I think it's coming in at about $18,000, nice, but not over the top stuff.

[packinpatland]

When my daughter got married two years ago, we chose a place in RI to have the reception. Used to be a private fishing lodge, Eisenhower stayed there......anyway, because the two families had not met much before, we had the option of renting this place from Fri thru Sun. It had an 'Adirondak' feeling about it......lots of cabins, a rustic yet elegant main lodge. They even built a huge bonfire on Fri nite and supplied the marshmallows. The place is run by the University of RI...........for the amount of time we were there, housed and fed 90 people for 2 days (reception for 130)...the whole thing came in at $30K. They even let us use their canoes!
My daughter's inlaws are from NYC.......some had never been in the 'woods' before.......they have no fear walking anywhere in the city, but don't make them go down an unlit path!
Talk about a bonding experience! One of the best things we ever did.

[MadtownPacker]

White boys have it good when it comes to getting married because the girl's parents pay for the whole wedding, right?

Mexicans do it a little different. The groom pays for a lot but the couple also gets padrinos (kinda like godparents) who fork over the $$ for things like the hall, food, etc.

[LL2]

I think it's coming in at about $18,000, nice, but not over the top stuff.

My sister got married around 8 years ago I remember my parents said her wedding cost around $20k! My wife's folks do not make much money, so we had to pay for the wedding ourselves. The entire wedding and our honeymoon to St. Maartin cost around $10k. We had the wedding ceremony at 11 AM, and and lunch reception. We found a country club that served a meal for $9 a plate, but the catch was it had to be served by 3 PM. Well, with the ceremony and pictures we were running a little late to the reception hall, and by the time our wedding party sat down at the head table it was around 2:45 PM. I told the best man to have someone go over to the DJ table to welcome everyone and say grace so the food would get served by 3 PM. Not sure if the country club would've enforced the after 3 PM rule, but the cost per plate was around $18-20 per plate after 3 PM. With over 200 guest doing a late lunch reception saved us around $2k. We had to vacate the reception hall by 5:30. I know most people have wedding that last all day and night, but it was nice to have the wedding day over by 6. We went to a nice luxury hotel for the evening and relaxed and got away from everyone for a couple days before we took off for St. Maartin. You can have a great wedding for a lot less than the $18k average.

[The Leaper]

I agree...$20k for a wedding is ridiculous. You can easily have a great wedding on less than half of that.

If you are going to splurge on anything, make it the honeymoon. The wedding day goes by in a flash and can be very hectic and stressful (not to mention the weeks leading up to it as well) so spending some extra money on the backend for relaxation and reflection is very important IMO.

[Badgepack]

They are going to Cabo for a week, so they have that part covered.

[LL2]

If you are going to splurge on anything, make it the honeymoon. The wedding day goes by in a flash and can be very hectic and stressful (not to mention the weeks leading up to it as well) so spending some extra money on the backend for relaxation and reflection is very important IMO.

That is exactly what we did, and that was the advise we got. We were told to put good money into pictures and the honeymoon. Those two you will remember and have forever. Do not put a lot of money into things like invitations, which people do not remember. Plus, the honeymoon is often the best vacation you will get for years once the kids and bills start arriving.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I agree...$20k for a wedding is ridiculous. You can easily have a great wedding on less than half of that.

If you are going to splurge on anything, make it the honeymoon. The wedding day goes by in a flash and can be very hectic and stressful (not to mention the weeks leading up to it as well) so spending some extra money on the backend for relaxation and reflection is very important IMO.

It all depends on your viewpoint. The wedding is essentially a large party thrown by the bride's parents. If they want to throw it and invite their friends, family and business associates then so be it.

Ty's wedding was around double that. Ty as groom had little say over it. Ty paid for things that the bride wanted that her parents wouldn't budge on..more expensive dress, better flowers, etc.

But, if you want to have a nice wedding for 250 people, with a band, and open bar, at a nice venue..it is gonna cost.

[Deputy Nutz]

White boys have it good when it comes to getting married because the girl's parents pay for the whole wedding, right?

Mexicans do it a little different. The groom pays for a lot but the couple also gets padrinos (kinda like godparents) who fork over the $$ for things like the hall, food, etc.

I don't truly believe that is the way it is done anymore, traditionally yes, but my parents payed half and held the ceremony in their backyard.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

White boys have it good when it comes to getting married because the girl's parents pay for the whole wedding, right?

Mexicans do it a little different. The groom pays for a lot but the couple also gets padrinos (kinda like godparents) who fork over the $$ for things like the hall, food, etc.

I don't truly believe that is the way it is done anymore, traditionally yes, but my parents payed half and held the ceremony in their backyard.

I've pretty much seen it go the traditional way. However, the groom or groom's parents pay for the pre nuptial dinner. And, often a sunday brunch thing for outta town guests.

I think it really depends on the amount of money the parents have, their views on weddings, etc.

It has been my experience that the wedding is really a party the parents give to their child.

[Deputy Nutz]

White boys have it good when it comes to getting married because the girl's parents pay for the whole wedding, right?

Mexicans do it a little different. The groom pays for a lot but the couple also gets padrinos (kinda like godparents) who fork over the $$ for things like the hall, food, etc.

I don't truly believe that is the way it is done anymore, traditionally yes, but my parents payed half and held the ceremony in their backyard.

I've pretty much seen it go the traditional way. However, the groom or groom's parents pay for the pre nuptial dinner. And, often a sunday brunch thing for outta town guests.

I think it really depends on the amount of money the parents have, their views on weddings, etc.

It has been my experience that the wedding is really a party the parents give to their child.

What are you? A wedding planner?

[Cheesehead Craig]

If you can sing, try using Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year" and re-write the lyrics with events from her life. Then end it with her current age and about her wedding.

[packinpatland]

If you can sing, try using Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year" and re-write the lyrics with events from her life. Then end it with her current age and about her wedding.

This will insure no dry eyes!................

[Badgepack]

If you can sing, try using Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year" and re-write the lyrics with events from her life. Then end it with her current age and about her wedding.

I like the thought, but no way in hell can I sing. Ever since she was little, she has said she wanted me to sing "My Girl" at her wedding, but she knows it ain't happening.