With June, the most popular month to get married, just around the corner, many couples are planning to tie the knot. According to two wedding sites, the cost of tying the knot has been inching upward and is now close to an all-time high.
An annual survey by TheKnot.com and the WeddingChannel.com discovered the average cost of a wedding in 2012 was $28,427, the highest average since 2008’s $29,334.
In the survey, 17,500 couples were questioned on their wedding budgets, style preferences and other features related to their wedding. According to TheKnot.com, the main factor that contributed to the rising cost of a wedding was the couple attempting to create a more “fulfilling experience” for guests. Anja Winikka, site director for TheKnot.com, said that although guest size was slightly down at weddings in 2012, spending was up.
A few of the ways couples spent more on their guests were paying for transportation to the ceremony and reception, paying for rehearsal dinners and morning-after brunches. Many couples also spent more on guest entertainment by including photo booths or caricature artists, instead of just having a band or a DJ for entertainment. These extras, according to Winikka, pushed the average up to $204 per guest.
A break down of weddings costs were: $1,211 for the bride’s dress; $230 for the rental of a groom’s tuxedo; and $560 for the wedding cake.
Where you live can really affect the cost of your wedding. This survey discovered those couples living in Manhattan spent the most on their wedding with an average wedding coming in at $76, 678. Alaska was the least expensive place to be wed, with an average wedding cost of $15,504.
Complete story can be found here.