Charles
Site Admin
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Wrightsville, PA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:18 am |
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Post subject: Wedding Budget: Set Your Limits
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The following is an article that appeared in the Sunday Patriot News (Harrisburg, PA) on 19 February 2006, by Scripps Howard.
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Ready to dig into planning? One of the first tasks you'll want to tackle is your budget.
How to get started:
Figure out who's contributing what first so you know your true bottom line. Some couples foot the bill themselves, other couples share the costs with the bride's family; sometimes the bride's family pays for the whole celebration (the most traditional arrangement), and sometimes the costs are split among all involved - the couple, the bride's family and the groom's family.
Here are some guidelines, with cost estimates for various parts. Figures are based on a $25,000 wedding. For an interactive version, check out TheKnot.com/budgeter
The Ceremony
2% - 3% of total budget
$500 - $750
Includes: Officiant fee, church or synagogue donation, marriage license fee.
The Reception
50% of total budget
$12,000
Includes: Food and service, beverages and bartender, cake, site and / or rental.
Attire
8% - 10% of total budget
$2,000 - $2,500
Includes: Gown, veil, shoes, purse, lingerie, jewelry, tux or suit, hair and makeup.
Stationery
2% - 3% of total budget
$500 - $750
Includes: Announcements, inserts, save-the-dates, invitations, programs, thank-you notes, calligraphy, postage.
Flowers
8% - 10% of total budget
$2,000 - $2,500
Includes: Bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, centerpieces and site flowers, canopy, cake topper.
Entertainment
10% of total budget
$2,500
Includes: Ceremony music, reception DJ, sound system rentals.
Photo & Video
10% - 12% of total budget
$2,500 - $3,000
Includes: Photographer, videographer, wedding cameras, prints and copies, photo albums.
Rings
2% - 3% of total budget
$500 - $750
Includes: His, hers, engraving.
Transportation
2% of total budget
$500
Includes: Limo or car rental, guest shuttle, parking.
Gifts
2% - 3% of total budget
$500 - $750
Includes: Favors, bridesmaid gifts, groomsman and usher gifts, parent gifts, amenity and welcome baskets.
Total Budget: $25,000
Keep a stash of cash totalling about 10% of your budget for tips, overages, taxes and emergencies.
If you are planning to use a wedding consultant, factor in an additional 10% - 15% of your total wedding budget.
Other items that you might need to add into your calculations: prewedding hotel rooms for bride and groom, bridal suite, pre- and post wedding parties (bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner, post wedding brunch) and the honeymoon.
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According to a nationwide survey conducted by Modern Bride Magazine, the average cost per wedding is over $26,000 this year.
According to the American Disc Jockey Association, you can expect to pay reputable DJ a minimum of $1,200 for a four hour wedding.
According to a survey conducted by the Association For Wedding Professionals, International, almost 100% of all brides said that would have spent more for a quality wedding DJ just one week after their special day. In the same survey, almost 80% of all brides would have made hiring their wedding DJ the top priority.
The AFWPI survey also made an astonishing fact come to light; although wedding DJs only accounted for an average of 8% of the total budgets, brides and their guests stated that the entertainment accounted for more than 84% of the total success of the event!
Reserve River Valley Weddings' services first and the rest will fall into place!
_________________
Charles E. Snyder III, CEO
River Valley Weddings
Member: American Disc Jockey Association
Member: United States Online Disc Jockey Association
Founder: Central Pennsylvania Disc Jockey Network |
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