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There are many things that the wedding industry would just as soon that couples tying the knot did not know. These things range from how much the average couple chooses to spend on their wedding to ways to save money when getting married. Most importantly, however, it includes how to get the most value for your money when buying engagement and wedding rings. If you have a wedding in your near future, then consider these facts that wedding experts would just as soon you did not know.
Looking to save money on a wedding ring?
Secrets of the Wedding Industry
The cost of weddings continues to go up each year. While the cost of the average United States wedding is $35,329, that total continues to climb each year after reaching a low in 2009. The cost of the wedding, however, depends on where you choose to tie the knot with some locations being much more expensive than others. For example, the average cost of a wedding in:
• Manhattan where the average wedding cost $78,464
• Chicago where the average wedding cost $55,518
• Philadelphia where the average wedding cost $48,058
• San Francisco where the average wedding cost $43,262
• Santa Barbara, California where the average wedding cost $42,713
One of the reasons that wedding costs continue to climb is that each couple wants to give people attending their wedding a personalized experience. At least 75 percent of couples choose at least one signature element for their wedding. While about 24 percent of couples choose to stick with just a signature cocktail, the most popular choices include custom photo booths, custom games, music written just for the wedding and fireworks. Wedding consultants say that they are starting to receive more unusual requests, however, including cigar rolling stations, wine and liquor tastings and dance performers.
Another reason that costs are rising sharply is that more couples are foregoing traditional church, synagogue and temple weddings in favor of other venues. The use of farms, barns and ranches has increased by 10 percent over the last decade while the use of historical buildings has increased by nine percent. Many couples are also choosing to be married on beaches, in public gardens, at wineries and at museums.
Average Cost of an Engagement Ring
While the idea of someone popping the question in secret may seem very romantic, only 25 percent of people are amazed when someone asks them to marry them. The remainder spends an average of 4.4 months planning out where they want to receive their ring. When a man asks a woman to marry them, more men are returning to time-honored methods with almost 91 percent doing so after purchasing the engagement ring. Many couples look for the ring together spending an average of 3.3 months searching for the perfect one, and they often carefully consider 26 rings before they make a final decision. When presenting the ring, 87 percent of men get down on one knee and only 9 percent do not ask the woman to marry him using the words “Will you marry me?”
The average man is spending $6,351 on the engagement ring, and it is a total that continues to climb annually. The idea that a man should spend two months salary on the bride’s rings was started as a marketing ploy after World War II, and it has continued to be believed by many ever since. Almost 45 percent of couples choose custom engagement rings designs allowing them to incorporate elements that are particularly meaningful to them into the ring’s design. The average center stone weighs 1.2 carats and is round cut. The total ring, however, contains an average of 1.8 carats. Over 61 percent of cheap engagement rings are made of white gold.
Average Cost of Wedding Rings
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged, it was important in Prince Harry’s eyes that the ring that he used was more valuable than the ring that his older brother used. Therefore, he chose to have a special wedding ring designed using two diamonds originally belonging to his mother Princess Diana along with other stones. Most experts value the ring at over $350,000 making it one of the most expensive wedding rings ever created.
Over the course of the last five years, the average cost of a wedding ring has risen by 21 percent. Couples need to realize that the trend to buy expensive wedding rings is a recent tradition. The phrase “A diamond is a girl’s best friend” did not come into fashion until a company used it in 1947. A study by Emory University found that couples who spent way over the average on a wedding including the ring were 46 percent more likely to see their relationship end in divorce while those who spent less than $1,000 on their wedding were 53 percent more likely to see it last forever. About 25 percent of couples are beginning to consider their wedding rings an investment that they are willing to later willing to sell to buy a home or help raise a child.
Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
Couples who are interested in saving money on their wedding should take several different factors into consideration when dealing with wedding vendors. After all, while this is your dream wedding, most wedding supply vendors are in business to get as much money from you as possible.
Dress Down
If you meet with a wedding vendor while wearing a huge diamond and dressed in your most expensive wardrobe, then you can expect to pay more to your wedding vendors. As you would expect with the price of weddings varying so much across the country, you will find different prices in different markets, but you can expect to pay about:
- Catering including the wedding cake: 22.5 percent
- Decorations including flowers: 24.4 percent
- Venue: 17.4 percent
- Photography and Cinematography: 18.5 percent
- Event planning: 8.5 percent
- Entertainment: 5.1 percent
- Paper goods: 2.1 percent
The amount of money that you actually spend in the various categories depends on where you live because couples where weddings are the most expensive often spend more than 40 percent of their wedding budget on the venue.
Keep an Even Keel
planning a wedding can be extremely stressful, but do not let your wedding vendors see you sweat. while the members of your wedding party may want to help you plan the perfect affair, if they put extra stress on your vendors, then you can expect to pay more for their services. this also goes for mothers who tend to want the perfect wedding experience for their precious children. therefore, it is often best for the couple to meet with the vendors alone. make sure to read the contract carefully as some vendors also include additional costs if you harass them too much before or during your event.
Spend Money on the Photographer
While the average wedding lasts only about four hours, the pictures from your big day will last a lifetime. Therefore, one area where you will want to splurge is on wedding photos. Consider the style of wedding photos that you like best choosing between documentary, portraiture, fine art and bold. Then, find a professional who works in that style.
Choose Wedding Music
The string quartet that you choose may be willing to play any tune during your reception, but it may not always sound the best because if your favorite tune does not have a strong melody it will not sound right when played by a string quartet. They may also charge you to have a special arrangement made that is playable by the members of their team.
Be Realistic
You may want the Pope to marry you or to use stephanotis in your bridal bouquet, but it will cost you dearly. Instead, make sure that your setting realistic expectations. Go to the vendors with a budget in mind and see what they have to suggest. Most are more than willing to work within your budget if you let them know what you can afford to spend.
Tips to Save Money on the Wedding
There are many different ways that you can stick under the average wedding cost. Before you sign any wedding vendor contracts, consider these tips to get the most from your wedding budget.
Pick the Right Number of Guests
The larger the wedding and reception, the more that you can expect to pay. While it varies by location, each person invited to a wedding reception can tack on $100 to the cost. Always choose to use some form of RSVP systems such as postcards that guests planning to attend can mail back to you or a Facebook page where guests can say that they are coming. Most caterers need the numbers a week before the date although if you talk to them, they can often squeeze in five to seven more if somebody suddenly decides that they are coming to your wedding.
Choose Your Venue Carefully
One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is to choose your venue very carefully. Places of worship where either family is involved are usually the least expensive. If that does not fit your plans, then consider an outdoor wedding in a public setting. Often public gardens can be rented for as little as $50 an hour. Additionally, make sure that you consider hosting your wedding earlier in the day. Many food vendors charge less the earlier you have your wedding. Hotels can be a great choice if you choose to host them in a room other than the main ballroom, and they often have all the sound equipment that you need. If you also let them do your food, then you may receive an extra discount. Finally, make sure to consider what you month you tie the knot as this can result in cutting costs drastically especially if you are looking to host your wedding in a popular destination.
Think About Food Costs
According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost of wedding food is $88. Mom-and-pop restaurants almost always charge less than national companies for food, and they may allow you more control over what is served. Some couples choose to have family members prepare the food as their wedding present to the couple. Others choose to have a hors d’oeuvres reception or buffet with no cocktail hour and a limited bar. It can be up to 300 percent cheaper if you have the caterer provide only the food, and you get friends and family to serve it. Additionally, consider which style of wedding food you desire as full service, buffet and food stations. Watch for hidden costs that can be tacked onto the bill such as a cake cutting fee even when they do not provide the cake as these costs can add up extremely quickly. Buying a smaller wedding cake and serving a sheet cake from the kitchen has saved many couples lots of money.
Ponder Liquor Costs
The cost of liquor is almost always less the earlier in the day that you have the wedding. Often times, choosing a signature cocktail is a great way to cut further cut down on expenses while adding a personalized touch to your wedding. Additionally, look for vendors who will charge you only if a liquor bottle has been opened. While you may be tempted to head to the nearest discount liquor store, make sure to consider your state laws and rather you are willing to be responsible if something goes wrong.
Contemplate Flower Choices
While couples can have almost any flower that they desire for their wedding, using seasonal flowers helps to control expenses. Tulips, roses, sweet peas and ranunculus are often good inexpensive choices for spring weddings while daisies and lilies are often great choices for a summer wedding. Since many areas have beautiful fall produce at inexpensive prices, consider replacing some of your flowers with this choice in the autumn while Christmas garland may make a beautiful inexpensive addition to winter weddings. Keep in mind that winter weddings can often be kept very inexpensive because many venues are already decorated for the winter holidays. While brides often fall in love with an idea they see on social media, unless you are very crafty, try making your favorite idea before buying all of the supplies as they are often put together by professionals and may require skills that most people do not have in their repertoire.
Settle Upon Your Wedding Dress
There are many different ways that you can save money on a wedding dress. While it may not be a romantic concept, wearing a preowned wedding dress or renting one can save couples up to 90 percent. Many local seamstresses can often make wedding dresses cheaper than you can buy one while you may also want to contemplate borrowing one. If you are going to buy a new wedding dress, then ponder buying last year’s styles. As soon as the wedding is over, donate the dress to a charity if you are going to itemize your taxes.
Tips to Save Money on the Ring
While you may wear your wedding ring for the rest of your life, there are still ways to get the ring that you will proudly wear at a more reasonable price.
Consider the Setting
When your ring has a center stone surrounded by other smaller stones, it gives the appearance of having more diamonds without actually having any more carat weight. This creates a wedding ring look that is likely to never go out of style.
Pick Platinum Prongs
Platinum prongs are cheaper than other alternatives, and they also hold the stones more securely. Choosing a prong setting over a bezel one also helps hold the stone more securely while helping to keep down costs.
Ponder Pave Diamonds
Engagement rings where tiny diamonds encircle the band are known as pave rings. These rings look particularly stunning because the sides of the small diamonds are exposed giving the ring extra sparkle. While pave rings are often a great way to save money, micro-pave stones often have a hard time staying in the ring.
Consider the Four C’s
You can make the four C’s of diamonds work in your favor when you are shopping for cheap engagement rings. An emerald cut ring has fewer facets often resulting in a less expensive ring. Buying rings that are just shy of the 0.5 karats and karat weight can result in a savings of up to 20 percent without changing the appearance of the ring. Many couples can buy a less expensive ring that looks perfect to the naked eye but has a small flaw in it. Finally, look for diamonds with a little color as they will often be cheaper.
Buy a Set
The more that you bundle together, the more money that you can save. Therefore, consider buying your wedding ring and your engagement ring as a set. Furthermore, ask the jeweler to cut you a special price if you buy the groom’s ring from them as well.
There are many ways that you can save money on your wedding that the wedding industry does not want you to know about. Start by creating an overall budget and forcing yourself to stick with it. While one of the most expensive purchases will be your engagement ring, you can buy a cheap engagement ring and no one will know but the person paying the bill if you keep these tips in mind.
Resources, Deep Discounts and Special Offers
If you are looking for additional resources on traditional diamond rings, please check out the following:
- Everything You Need to Know About Emerald Cut Diamonds
- How to Buy a Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
- GIA Guide to the 4Cs Clarity
- What is a Solitaire Setting?
If you want to find deep discounts and special offers, please visit:
- Save $100 when ordering a diamond ring by following this link to Kobelli.com