How much?

[Sniper]

DISCLAIMER: This question in no way means we are getting married or plan to.

But MissSniper and I were discussing the cost of a wedding. She mentioned some extraordinary amount that made my eyes water and my testicals shrink into the safety regions of my stomach. For those that have been married and those planning to and those who may one day meet a blind person, what would be your thought to the average cost of a wedding? Also, what would you include in that cost, if you want to, you can add why.

Poll included.

[kro]

My wife and I did ours on the cheap back in 1990, and it cost $2350.00 all up.
Don't spend big coin on a wedding, the groom gets swept aside anyway, and the hens take it over, and if you split, you'll regret wasting all that money on the day, trust me.

We were glad we did a budget wedding, the money we saved not doing the big budget wedding really helped us get established. 16 years later, we are still going strong.

[Beemer]

It depends greatly on what sort of wedding you want and how many guests you are having. Some things cost the same no matter what - like a marriage celebrant (if not being married by a minister) and a photographer, but you can economise on some things. When we got married last year I naively assumed that $5000 would more than cover everything! NOT!!! We had about 60 guests, got married by a celebrant in the grounds of the reception venue where we had a buffet meal. We could BYO to the venue which saved a lot of money (we picked up our wine for $6.99 a bottle in the supermarket), but it still cost us about $10,000 and we weren't extravagant. We hired outfits for the groom, best man and bridesmaid, a friend did the flowers for $100 (you may think that is expensive until you start asking around at florists!), hair and makeup were done locally, I made the invitations and the cake (but had it iced professionally). You can do everything on a budget, but if you do, set the budget BEFORE shopping around. I knew the $5000 was being optimistic after booking the photographer ($2000) and the catering (about the same). It's amazing how quickly things add up, like shoes, a DJ or band, marriage licence, wedding rings, flowers, venue hire, food, alcohol, etc.

If we did it again, I wouldn't change the catering or the venue, but there are things I would economise on. If you want to get an idea of what things really cost (the sky can be the limit - I've heard of weddings costing more than $50,000 in Auckland - venue hire in the thousands of dollars, per head prices of $150 for food, etc!), check out this site - www.nzweddingplanner.co.nz - there is a search function and you can find out what other people are spending.

I don't regret the money though, as we had a fantastic day and built up some great memories, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to get those things.

[Kendog]

If we could do it again, I'd take off to Vegas and get hitched, come home and tell everyone about what a cool holiday we had, much cheaper!

[Motu]

$0.00 - took a long lunch and put in an extra half hour at the end of the day.

[Jantar]

Allow $35 - $55 per guest for food and drink. $1500 for clothes and flowers, $2000 - $3000 for photos, $$$$$$$$$$ just keep adding up.

Or you can what Mrs J and I did. We eloped and got married on the beach at Noosa. Only 3 guests (relations who already lived in Queensland) and the marriage celebrant. We spent the early afternoon before the wedding watching an All-Blacks Vs Wallabies match then rushed trhough to Noosa for a twilight wedding on the beach. Total cost, including airfares and accomadation; $5000.

[Highlander]

When I worked in Wairoa one lady in the office there took out second mortgage to pay for her daughters wedding (it was HUGE).

Had a friend invite people to their place fora BBQ (byo) and had a celebrant there to do the honnours.

Have been to others wehre you were asked to bring a plate.

Really the cost goes as high as you want, but keep an eye on the cost or it will get away on you.

[MissSniper]

My step brother got married recently and i dont know the cost but i can only imagine on what it would be.

Most weddings you need to account for wedding dressess/tuxcedoes, flowers, photographer, makeup/hair, hire of venue, celebrant, food, alcohol, accommodation, rings(just the wedding bands), honeymoon, now with the added pertol prices money for travel to venue, invitations, hen/stag do's, presents, music/Dj hire, car/bike arrival to venue.

Then there's the optional extras like photo albums, a scroll to put the piece of paper into, enlarging copies of photos etc etc etc

i recon you better start saving now.

[Jantar]

DISCLAIMER: This question in no way means we are getting married or plan to.

But MissSniper and I were discussing the cost of a wedding. .

i recon you better start saving now. .

Is there a bit of a contradiction here somewhere? Congratulations you two. :spudflip:

[Sniper]

I have a mate who is getting maried soon and he reckons we can do the wedding for under $500.

• 1. I could get ordained over the internet ($250)
  2. We could drive to A beach ($30)
  3. We could have the reception at my house and everyone brings their own food ect (Free)
  4. Wedding bands can be radiator ring clips ($2 a peice)
  5. For the honeymoon he can stay in the spare room. (Power)

Is there a bit of a contradiction here somewhere? Congratulations you two

Smartarse, no we are not getting married, but a close friend has, hence the speculation

[Finn]

Sniper mate, no chick talks about a wedding for the sake of it. She was trying you on and also indicated what type of wedding she expects from you. My advice...

RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!

[Colapop]

We got married in the rose garden at Aotea Lagoon (a park area). We had family and close friends. The aftermatch function was held in our back yard and we got to bed at about 3am after dropping friends off! We spent about a grand all up. My sister and her fella got married at Gesthomne (sp??) gardens above brighton beach in CHch. Gold wedding dress and Rolls Royce wedding cars (3 of them) $27,000 all up. The best bit about both gigs was seeing our families and spending some time together for a good occasion (instead of a funeral).

Do whatever you guys want to do. The idea is that you do it once - f*ck all this shit about "what if you break up... etc" If you're wooried about that then you haven't chosen right in the first instance. It's really all about you two not everyone else.

[Highlander]

Do whatever you guys want to do. The idea is that you do it once - f*ck all this shit about "what if you break up... etc" If you're wooried about that then you haven't chosen right in the first instance. It's really all about you two not everyone else.

Yep. One life One Wife.

[jonbuoy]

I don't see the point in spending loads of money, everyone else gets free food/piss but who actually enjoys going to a wedding? I dread being invited to one. Only people that win are the wedding services people. I'd rather spend it on a great honeymoon instead.

[Deano]

I don't see the point in spending loads of money, everyone else gets free food/piss but who actually enjoys going to a wedding? I dread being invited to one. Only people that win are the wedding services people.

That's a bit morbid isn't it ?

I'm pretty sure everyone who came to our wedding had a ball. It looks like it from the photos.

Small private church, photos through a friend, cake through a work contact, hirage of a venue, catered meal for 65, drinks for about 90. 1967 Impala for wedding car, hirage of wine glasses, home made invites, DJ, flowers...........probably forgot a few little things..all for about $10k.

Definitely pool any resources you may have though - we must have saved at least a grand.