Cost of a Wedding

mikeeboy

I think you need to ask your girlfriend (and probably her parents) what kind of wedding they are expecting to have.

Only then can you be more accurate with the costs.

Bit awkward if you haven't yet proposed of course

eamon

Weddings in NI (and the Republic) can be big affairs. My nephew got married last August. The reception was at a venue just outside Clogher, Co Tyrone. Guessing at about 90 guests. Champagne (aka fizzy wine & Hors d'oeuvre) on arrival. Three course dinner & wine, hot supper in the evening. Live (excellent) band that had travelled up from Dublin & the lead singer done a DJ set at the end of the night. I expect the event cost in the region of £15 - £20k.


I didn't spend the night there as the rooms were imho overpriced but still dropped over £100 at the bar (hotel prices).


I suspect you could be under pressure to have a big show wedding, if thats not what you and your fiancee want then together you need to put your feet firmly down. The money can be better used elsewhere.

lucyhope

I was in a Toby carvery before Christmas and a Wedding party came in, they had a room off the main area and everyone seemed be having a great time

pigpen

Mine was just over £2500, including rings and everything.. no guests.. no reception.. no parties.. no cars.. Me, OH and our 4 daughters.. and 2 witnesses.. that was it!


how long is a piece of string?

Gloomendoom

pigpen wrote: »

Mine was just over £2500, including rings and everything.. no guests.. no reception.. no parties.. no cars.. Me, OH and our 4 daughters.. and 2 witnesses.. that was it!


how long is a piece of string?

My first cost £130 for the ceremony, £20 for two witnesses, £50 for the ring.



Edit: Actually, I think the ring was only £35.

74jax

pigpen wrote: »

Mine was just over £2500, including rings and everything.. no guests.. no reception.. no parties.. no cars.. Me, OH and our 4 daughters.. and 2 witnesses.. that was it!


how long is a piece of string?

Mine was 3k and for about 80 people. The string is very important and op should start with how much they have and go from there. Not take random strangers figures and think it will match in with their expectations.

JackeeBoy

Depends on how dramatic you and your wife are In the end, you can spend whatever you want and what you feel comfortable with.

I spent pretty much dead on £10,000 for my wedding and that included absolutely everything from associated with the wedding from the rings, dress, hotel and venue for about 100 people. I know people who had a similar size wedding to me and spent double and triple that amount (without seeing much difference in quality).

So to conclude, it's down to your budget and what you will be happy spending. If money is not an object for you, spend what you want. If your budget is limited and you have more practical things to spend money on like a house, then make sure you do a wedding that is for you and you only. Also, stereotyping here, but reign in your wife to be as for some weird reason, some women get super irrational when it comes to weddings.

Pollycat

JackeeBoy wrote: »

Depends on how dramatic you and your wife are In the end, you can spend whatever you want and what you feel comfortable with.

I spent pretty much dead on £10,000 for my wedding and that included absolutely everything from associated with the wedding from the rings, dress, hotel and venue for about 100 people. I know people who had a similar size wedding to me and spent double and triple that amount (without seeing much difference in quality).

So to conclude, it's down to your budget and what you will be happy spending. If money is not an object for you, spend what you want. If your budget is limited and you have more practical things to spend money on like a house, then make sure you do a wedding that is for you and you only. Also, stereotyping here, but reign in your wife to be as for some weird reason, some women get super irrational when it comes to weddings.

Very much stereotyping.

I've been married twice, both times at a Register Office, with minimum fuss (and expense).
I certainly didn't need to be 'reined in'.

I think it's today's hype about all things 'wedding' that's to blame for the often ridiculous amounts people spend on getting married.

JackeeBoy

Pollycat wrote: »

Very much stereotyping.

I've been married twice, both times at a Register Office, with minimum fuss (and expense).
I certainly didn't need to be 'reined in'.

I think it's today's hype about all things 'wedding' that's to blame for the often ridiculous amounts people spend on getting married.

Agreed and note that I mentioned "some" women. I have no idea where it comes from because it's not like it's something that is fantasised daily in the media (unless I am missing something) but I think it is fair to say that a lot of women, whether that's a significant minority or majority, dream of their wedding since youth.

Katapolt

As someone 8 months into planning their wedding, other than all the brilliant advice given heres a few bits:
- your venue, guest list and catering will be what basically determines your cost. If you want a 3 course sit down meal in a historical hall, youre looking at £100+ per head inc booze, but if you have a bbq, it can be more like £50.

- everything can be way more expensive than you realise. doesnt hurt to do some groundwork research before coming up with a figure.

-set your budget as a range not a fixed amount, so ideally it'd b X but you wont go above Y

- you might find the wedding you both want, is not whats realistic in the budget. something will have to give.

DO not under any circumstances tell your suppliers its for a party or event - whether the "wedding tax" is fair or right, it can invalidate your contract and it can get you into trouble.