Goin' to the chapel...
Without about a month left before “the big day,” as everyone seems to call it, I figured it was time for a wedding post. I really haven’t blogged about it too much. I could talk about dresses, or flowers, or delicious desserts, or veils, or pretty earrings, or cute favors. But what would a wedding blog post be without talking about everyone’s favorite topic.... money! Seriously, though, this is serious business. The wedding business, that is.
According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding (excluding the honeymoon) is $26, 984. WOW. Not to mention, the most expensive area to get married in is the Big Apple (no surprise), where the average cost is $70,030. Taking second place is the surrounding areas (Long Island, Hudson Valley, etc). And in third place... drum roll, please... northern New Jersey! {I think I know someone who is getting married there soon...} Apparently, northern/central New Jersey is also known for having the most formal, black-tie weddings. Maybe I should move to Utah (average cost of wedding: $13,214).
Does anyone else find this insane?
Ok, let’s step away from the numbers. I’m sure that’s not why you’re reading my blog. Let’s get personal. I like to think of myself as a pretty creative person. I like to make things. {Shameless plug: check out my handmade journals!} So, when I began wedding planning, I decided I’d have a mostly DIY wedding. I would just create my entire wedding. By. Myself. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, I did what I wanted, and let’s be honest: I’m saving a lot of money.
But it’s really stressful! There have been many times when I’ve been up to my elbows in ribbons, spending long hours scouring the internet for bargains, and having a pair of scissors permanently attached to my fingers, and I’ve wondered: is this worth it? And yet, still, every time I open my wallet to make another wedding purchase, the thought flashes into my mind: Well, isn’t this wonderful? We’ll have a fantastic wedding, and spend the rest of our marriage dying of starvation because we won’t have enough money to buy food. But when we’re dying in each other’s arms, at least we can remember how lovely our wedding programs were!
Honestly, I’m tired of reading etiquette websites and hearing well-wishers tell me that I need this, and have to do that, and must buy those. I don’t. There are some things in life that simply are not necessary, despite how much our culture insists that they are.
When all is said and done, even though a DIY wedding is very stressful, there are precious moments that I would not give up for convenience: making bouquets with my best friend/maid of honor, having my little sisters help me make favors, watching old episodes of the Facts of Life while making centerpieces. And here’s another bonus: we’ll be able to eat after the wedding!
According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding (excluding the honeymoon) is $26, 984. WOW. Not to mention, the most expensive area to get married in is the Big Apple (no surprise), where the average cost is $70,030. Taking second place is the surrounding areas (Long Island, Hudson Valley, etc). And in third place... drum roll, please... northern New Jersey! {I think I know someone who is getting married there soon...} Apparently, northern/central New Jersey is also known for having the most formal, black-tie weddings. Maybe I should move to Utah (average cost of wedding: $13,214).
Does anyone else find this insane?
Ok, let’s step away from the numbers. I’m sure that’s not why you’re reading my blog. Let’s get personal. I like to think of myself as a pretty creative person. I like to make things. {Shameless plug: check out my handmade journals!} So, when I began wedding planning, I decided I’d have a mostly DIY wedding. I would just create my entire wedding. By. Myself. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, I did what I wanted, and let’s be honest: I’m saving a lot of money.
But it’s really stressful! There have been many times when I’ve been up to my elbows in ribbons, spending long hours scouring the internet for bargains, and having a pair of scissors permanently attached to my fingers, and I’ve wondered: is this worth it? And yet, still, every time I open my wallet to make another wedding purchase, the thought flashes into my mind: Well, isn’t this wonderful? We’ll have a fantastic wedding, and spend the rest of our marriage dying of starvation because we won’t have enough money to buy food. But when we’re dying in each other’s arms, at least we can remember how lovely our wedding programs were!
Honestly, I’m tired of reading etiquette websites and hearing well-wishers tell me that I need this, and have to do that, and must buy those. I don’t. There are some things in life that simply are not necessary, despite how much our culture insists that they are.
When all is said and done, even though a DIY wedding is very stressful, there are precious moments that I would not give up for convenience: making bouquets with my best friend/maid of honor, having my little sisters help me make favors, watching old episodes of the Facts of Life while making centerpieces. And here’s another bonus: we’ll be able to eat after the wedding!
Yeah, that is an insane amount of money.. yikes. Good for you, Jane! I know you're going to have a beautiful wedding, and more importantly - make a beautiful commitment to your man in marriage!
ReplyDeleteLove you Jane! but, don't forget to give your Mother, Stepfather and Father credit for the huge part they have played in putting this wedding together! The venue, the food, the music, etc. Love Grandma
ReplyDelete