The Big Cost of the Big Day
Posted by Ryan Owens on May 2nd 2013
One of the most important events in many women’s lives is their wedding day and the bridal industry has them covered from the moment they say “yes”. From bridal magazines to Pinterest, today the average bride has a plethora of sources to get ready for their big day. Being that one of the most popular seasons for couples to exchange their vows is the spring, the bridal industry kicked off the season last week with the 2013 New York Bridal Fashion Week. With vendors on hand from some of the world’s top fashion houses showing off the newest styles of the season, vendors from all walks of life and sponsorships by infamous bridal magazine TheKnot and the WeddingChannel, this annual show lays the groundwork for the season ahead.
According to the 2012 Real Weddings Survey conducted by TheKnot and reported by Yahoo! Finance, weddings can easily become one of the most expensive events a couple will ever plan. The annual study found the costs by each category based on respondents who hired a professional vendor for their services.
| Overall Wedding (exluding honeymoon) | $28,427 |
| Venue (reception hall) | $12,905 |
| Photographer | $2,379 |
| Wedding/Event Planner | $1,847 |
| Reception Band | $3,084 |
| Reception DJ | $988 |
| Florist/Décor | $1,997 |
| Videographer | $1,619 |
| Wedding Dress | $1,211 |
| Groom’s Tuxedo | $230 |
| Wedding Cake | $560 |
| Ceremony Site | $1,711 |
| Ceremony Musicians | $554 |
| Invitations | $453 |
| Limousine | $708 |
| Favors | $289 |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $1,135 |
| Engagement Ring | $5,431 |
| Catering (price per person) | $63 |
These are staggering numbers for many couples, especially during an economic downturn. Coming to the rescue are many professional publications and sites, including Martha Stewart Weddings, which provide some useful tips on saving money, making for a happier life ever after.
Among the most expensive parts of every wedding is the venue and outfitting it to suit your dreams. This includes the space, the decorations and most importantly, the seating. A popular option is renting from a local provider. Renting tends to be a money saving option in most scenarios and doesn’t leave you saddled with unneeded furniture after the big event.
If you choose to purchase your seating, Classroom Essentials Online offers multiple options in folding tables, wedding chairs and chiavari chairs that are sure to suit your needs. Simply call (866) 404-7671 to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives and visit our Pinterest page for great wedding ideas. If you choose to rent your wedding furniture, we are a member of the American Rental Association and supply rental companies with seating for many different events throughout the course of a year. Simply ask your rental company to choose Classroom Essentials Online furniture options when providing tables and chairs for your wedding day. Congratulations!