Wedding Money Monday: What Does a $32,000 Wedding Look Like?

Posted: March 29, 2016

EVERYONE Has a wedding budget. — EVERYONE has a wedding budget. #Truth

The ” average” cost of a wedding in Los Angeles is hovering around $32,000. You don’t have to pay that. You could pay a lot more, too. Yup. But, before you click off this blog all lemming-like, here’s an actual wedding budget from one I coordinated last year for 100 guests:

Venue Fee: $2300

Catering
$90 per person $9,000
tax @9% 810
Service charge @20% 1800 – this includes wait and bar staff

Bar – couple provided wine, beer, liquor for cocktails, and soda
1387.57
Venue, food, and bar – 12,997.57

Photography
5000
tax @9 % = 450
Total: 5450

Wedding Dress: 4000
tax @9% 360
Total: 4360

Rentals
Tables – Guest and buffet
Plates and Utensils
Chairs – two sets for reception and ceremony
Linens
Total, with tax: 2486

Flowers
One bridal bouquet
Two bridesmaids bouquets
Two boutonnieres
10 centerpieces
$2,000
tax @9 % 180
Delivery 75
Total: 2255

DJ
1500

Cake 1150
tax @9 % 103.50
Total: 1253.50

Invitations with tax
$895.98

Hair and Makeup
Bride
Two bridesmaids
Total: 350

Wedding Officiant
325

Tux rental
$100 x 2 200
Tax @ 9% 18
Total: 218

Reception Miscellaneous
Placecards
Table numbers
Favors
200

GRAND TOTAL: 32,291.05

Believe it or not, there is actually a lot of wiggle room in this wedding budget. Look, every couple has a wedding budget, and each one of mine this year has asked how they can stick to theirs and get the most bang for their buck. There are a lot of ideas out there. But how many of those work, and which of those will work in Los Angeles? And if you’re already deep in the red, is there a way to stop the bleeding? On Wednesday, April 13, I’m teaching a webinar that will show you how you can save thousands of dollars while still creating a wedding you’ll love. Registration [ENDED] opens soon, sign up to be the first to know when.

What other questions do you have about your wedding? Let’s talk: Contact me to schedule a free consultation.