Budget 101 for Wedding & Event Planning

What are average prices we can expect?

Just to give you some wedding stats:

· An average wedding right now in NC is $$27,808

· An Average wedding in USA is $33,391

· Average guest count is 150

·NC is currently averaging $199 per person (pp)

· Average reception is 3-5 hours long (with 5 hours having a sit down meal.

· Average DJ = $200-$300 per hour

· Average Food & Non-alcoholic Beverage per guest $25.00 pp (appetizers additional)

· Average Bar per guest = 1 drink per person per hour Average drink = $4.00

· Average Cake slice = $5.75 pp

· Average Bridal Bouquet = $150-$200

· Average Bridesmaid’s Bouquet = $85 Average (Bridal party = 4 each side)

· Average Boutonnière = $22.00 (groom, groomsmen, family)

· Average Corsage (mother and grandmother & greeters) = $25.00

· Average centerpiece = $35.00 – $175.00 per table

· Average Linen = $18.00 per table

· Average photographer/videographer = $300 per hour per photographer plus prints/photo album

 *However these prices will vary depending on years of experience, level of services they are providing, number of years their company has been operating, type of equipment they provide, levels of education/certification/knowledge, and number of hours they will be onsite during the event and throughout the planning process.

*make sure to read your contracts to insure what services you are receiving AND if it’s the OWNER of the company or another staff member.

 

Don’t forget based in 2016:

According to: www.costofwedding.com

Average cost of a wedding in Alamance County: $15,693-$26,155… However most spend less than $10,000.

Average guest count of a wedding in Alamance County: 117-137

Average cost per guest in Alamance County: $148-$181

Average cost venue in Alamance County: $2499-$4165

 

Average cost day of coordinator in Alamance County: $616-$1026

             Expect to spend between $1,250-$1,667+ for well experienced professionals

Average cost month of coordinator in Alamance County: $882-$1470

               Expect to spend between $1,745-$2,326+ for well experienced professionals

Average cost full service planner in Alamance County: $2495-$4159

               Expect to spend between $4,953-$6,604+ for well experienced professionals

(Alamance County including Burlington, Graham, Haw River, Elon, Mebane, & Snow Camp)

 

According to American Express: An average guests spends $592 to attend a wedding (including airfare, hotel, travel arragements, attire and gift).

 

Here’s a sample of a BASIC wedding for 100 or less guests:

$1299 day of coordinator

$500 plus 3 assistants for 8 hours (less time at a venue requires more staffing)
$500 venue (basic hotel meeting space, local park or recreational center, church)
$1500 additional rentals (ceremony chairs, additional tables, linens, etc)
$2500 1 meat two sides, salad, dessert, roll, tea and water, with plasticware

$800 staffing for catering
$600 basic cake or cupcakes
$1500 basic flowers bridal bouquet, 3 bouquets, 6 boutaineres, 4 corsages, 10 simple centerpieces, and 1 simple arch for ceremony 
$800 basic DJ services, usually one system 
$1200 1 photographer for 4-6 hours, with unedited photos on a disk
$1000 1 videographer for limited hours limited DVD
$500 minister (remember without them it’s just a party) 
$300 party favors
$400 invites and stamps

It adds up quickly…. $13,399

Don’t forget honeymoon, rings, dress & accessories, hair & make-up, tux and wedding gifts…
*no transportation due to no alcohol
if you were thinking of having a $10,000 budget, notice how quickly these traditional items add up.

Every couple deserves a beautiful wedding day… but really think about what is most important to the two of you..

• The ceremony (aka the marriage)
• Those surrounding you (guest count is the BIGGEST factor)
• The entertainment… WOW factors and dancing the night away
• Food & Beverage (this is where the bar comes into play also)
• The memories… after everything is said and done THESE are the items you are left with… (but you’ve also gotta give that amazing photographer/videographer something to capture)
• The PLACE you say I do… what type of environment do you want to be at when you say those magical words to one another…

Now here’s a sample of a dream wedding hosting 125 guests

$5600 day of event manager and designer of event  

$600 plus 3 assistants for 12 hours (less time at a venue requires more staffing)
$4500 venue (ballroom, loft, barn, or a unique location)
$2500 additional rentals (ceremony chairs, additional tables, place settings, linens, props, etc)
$6000 appetizers, plated salads, full buffet/actions stations/plated meal, lots of nonalcoholic beverage options and late night bites/snacks

$1200 staffing for catering
$2000 stocked bar

$1000 for cake and/or dessert bar
$2500 stunning flowers bridal bouquet, 4 bouquets, 8 boutonnieres, 6 corsages, unique centerpieces, and wow décor for ceremony 
$1500 draping and lighting

$1200 incredible DJ services, with multi systems 
$400 live musicians for ceremony and/or cocktail hour

$600 for a WOW guest experience (surprise during the day)

$3400 2 photographers 8-12 hours, including prints/albums
$2500 multiple videographers 8-12 hours, multiple copies of videos and mini-posts for social media
$750 minister (remember without them it’s just a party) 
$600 party favors
$1000 invites and stamps, programs for ceremony, escort cards, menus at reception

$500 exit supplies

$2000 for transportation needs throughout the day

$300 for hair & make-up

It adds up quickly…. $40,550

Don’t forget honeymoon, rings, dress & accessories,tux and wedding gifts…

*while we’ve handled weddings from $5,000 to over a $250,000… our goal is to educate our couples and give their guests the BEST experience possible… and if you do not have 40K to invest in the memories of your special day please remember we do offer to plan FREE weddings with Sandals & Beaches…