Weddings vary greatly in how much they cost. It depends on how extravagant you wish
to be. You can easily spend over $10,000 for a very lavish, formal wedding, or you can do
much of the work yourself and keep the cost of the wedding down. It's a matter of what you
prefer, as well as how much money you realistically have and want to spend on your
wedding. Below are some of the expenses of a wedding, and ranges of prices.
Bridal Gown:
The bridal gown can be anywhere from $100 to over $1000. You may borrow an heirloom dress
from a family member or close friend, in which case you save a considerable amount of
money. If you do this, be sure to have it professionally cleaned, treated and stored.
Music: The cost for the music at the church is not usually very
high. The reception music can range from $200 to $1000 depending on if you have a D.J. or
a band. If you have a small wedding with no dancing, the cost here will be on the lower
end.
Flowers: The normal range for this portion of the wedding is $50
- $500, depending on how many arrangements you choose, and what kind of flowers.
Invitations: There is a wide range here. You can make your own for a minimal
cost, or go all out with engraved invitations. Don't forget to add postage to your
estimate here. By renting your tuxedo at Esquire Tuxedos you can save up to 40% off on
your invitations
Photography: Can range from free to $1000+ for formal and candid pictures.
You may have a friend or family member who is willing to do your wedding pictures as a
gift to you, or who will provide the service for free if you purchase the film and other
necessary equipment.
Videography: Anywhere from $200 to $1200, depending on if you hire a
professional, how many cameras are being used, and how much editing you want to have done.
By using The Music Man services you can have this service for free.
Reception: This is normally the most expensive part of the
wedding, as it includes the food, drinks, cake and caterer. You can control the cost here
by determining if you want to do a lot of the work yourself, and if you want to have the
reception at home. The range here is anywhere from $400 - $10,000. There are several
places in Midland/Odessa which offer prices around the $600 range.
Transportation: You may arrange to borrow cars, in which case
the cost is minimal, or hire one of the services described on the transportation page..
The price will vary depending on which service you choose, and what area you live in.
Clergy fee: Varies. Check ahead of time.
Gifts for attendants: You may spend anywhere from $10 to $50 each on these
gifts, depending on what you wish to give, and your budget. There is no proper
"set" amount.
Contingency fund: It is always a good idea to set some money aside ($50 to
$200) for "extras" because they inevitably arise.
We advise you to start shopping early. Get quotes from many places and then decide
what price you can afford, without sacrificing the quality you want. It may be that you
spend the minimal amount in one area so that you are able to do more in another. Get all
contracts with service providers in writing, and keep track of deposits made. The quality
of your wedding does not depend on how much money you spend.
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