Your Wedding Budget and Your Guest List

One of the most common questions that wedding planners hear is, "How much should I expect to pay for my wedding per guest?" In other words, if I have a certain amount of money how can I figure out how many guests I can reasonably invite?

These questions truly do sound reasonable.

Unfortunately, there is no way to give a blanket answer.

Some try, others simply turn the question away. The reason is simple: It all depends on the expectations of the bride (or couple) planning the wedding event. If one just has to be married at the swankiest place in town, their cost is going to be much higher than one who is married in their church with the reception in the church's 'hall'.

Still, consider this as you start to plan your wedding... the average wedding in North America last summer was estimated to cost somewhere around $25,000 (estimates range from 22 - 27) and the average wedding had 175 guests. If you divide $25,000 by 175 you come up with a ballpark figure of $143 per guest.

If your tastes are simple and you can find a way to hold the cost on the venue, which is one of the biggest expenses in a wedding, you might manage to spend less. But at least last year's $143 per guest is a good place to start.

The Value in Planning Your Wedding Budget

Depending on who you listen to, recent estimates tell us that the average North American couple spends more than $22,000 (and many estimates place the total north of $26,000!) on the wedding ceremony and reception alone. That is great - if the individuals have the money for such a wedding budget. With that amount of money they could do so very much more than most brides ever achieve in while designing their dream wedding, but if they don't have the money...

Or if they have the money but could make better use of it some other way... To buy that first house... to start a college fund for the children... to have a more memorable honeymoon... to start a business... whatever the reason!

Can you have a gorgeous, memorable wedding for less?

Absolutely.

All that is required is a little research, a bit of time prioritizing, and some planning for a dream wedding to come together that is truly as unique as the people involved.

Why?

Simply because most brides simply gather rather than plan and end up purchasing elements that do not really fit the wedding they are putting together. Likewise, by not understanding how the wedding industry works they end up paying too much.

Towards that end I am currently working to polish a book on how each element of the wedding industry works. I wanted it too be finished by now, but alas...

I'll let you know as soon as it is ready. Check back soon.

In the meantime, here are some simple suggestions to save money when planning a wedding:

• Reduce the number of guests
• Limit the number of attendants
• Use grazing stations filled with favorite delicacies instead of a sit-down dinner
• Have an alcohol -free receptions. If you have to have bar, have a cash bar, or close the bar during dinner
• Consider an off-season wedding (November through April) to reduce costs for the reception site (venue)
• Consider having your wedding on any day other than Saturday to reduce costs for the reception site

There is nothing wrong with wanting to mount a wedding that all will look back on with fondness. At the same time there is everything right with being wise in the use of your wedding budget.