Why Are Weddings So Expensive?
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The average wedding these days costs, depending on whom you ask, somewhere between $19,000 and $29,000. Those outrageous numbers, we recently learned from this AOL WalletPop video, you can blame at least in part on Marshall Field’s.
The Chicago department store that is now history (it was acquired by Macy’s, Inc. in 2005) played a big part in the history of weddings in the United States — and how they evolved to become the retail extravaganzas we are accustomed to today.
In 1924, Marshall Field’s became the first department store to launch a bridal registry. It was also the first to start catering to middle-class brides by introducing low-cost knock-offs of high-fashion garments, according to Timothy Long, the costume curator of the Chicago History Museum, where wedding gowns from the 19th century through present are now on exhibit.
Today, bridal registries have become a staple of wedding planning — and, let’s face it, plenty of brides dream of a designer gown that likely carries a price tag higher than anything they ever have or will spend on a garment to be worn just once.
In the 19th century, meanwhile, wedding dresses were little like those we’re used to seeing walk down the aisle today. To begin with, they were not white. To wear a white dress, in fact, would have been considered ostentatious and rude, according to Long: white was not only difficult to produce, but also difficult to keep clean. Back then, wedding dresses were meant to be worn again, and again. In fact, according to WalletPop, the typical cost of a wedding back then would have been around $400.
By the 1940s, the term “white wedding” had already entered our vocabulary. And that meant trouble for those footing the bill.
In an article published in the Saturday Evening Post on May 26, 1946 (a scan of which landed in our inbox thanks to Shane Murray of The Wedding Report), author Horace W. Osborne gives a humorous, if overly detailed account of his daughter’s wedding preparations — and all the costs involved.
“To the distaff side, a ‘white wedding’ merely means that the bride will be married in a white wedding dress,” he writes. “But to the old man ‘white’ forever afterward will be linked inseparably with the past tense of the verb ‘to bleed.’” His daughter’s wedding dress cost $191.45, the florist charged $220 and the wedding cake was $45. The total tab wedding tab ran at $2,238.47.
And before you marvel at that inexpensiveness, remember that those numbers are not adjusted for inflation. We used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator to do just that and arrived at the following, in 2010 dollars:
Dress: $2,320.57
Florist: $2,666.62
Wedding cake: $545.45
…
Total: $27,132.49.
So much for blaming today’s overblown wedding budgets on reality television.
“Why Are Weddings So Expensive? Historians Find The Answer” video provided by WalletPop.com.
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29 Comments so far
leave a commentPeople don’t HAVE to spend so much on a wedding – seeing that half will end in divorce!
So, why are weddings expensive? This article did not answer the question it posed.
It is a ridiculous amount to spend on one day. Not because half end in divorce as Bivy wrote. It’s more that why the heck would you start a marriage that far in the hole? That’s freaking crazy! Go to the justice of the peace and have a party later. Nuts!
Well, actually I’m finding that the party is the expensive part. Sure, ceremonies require some flowers, chairs, or whatnot depending on where you decide to hold the ceremony, but the reception is what charges per-person. $70-200 per person multiplied by 150 people gets you pretty high up there…
How are you getting that total? Your math doesn’t work.
Dress: $2,320.57
Florist: $2,666.62
Wedding cake: $545.45
…
Total: $27,132.49.
Read the original sentence in the article. It mentions 3 specific items and their cost, and then states the total cost of the wedding. It does not infer that those three things were the total cost of the wedding.
Yes, I am in favor of eloping too.
II agree, it’s a challenge to keep things elegant and simple,
but I’m trying to find creative ways to offset some of the costs
for the most important item: Wedding Dress
Um. This one’s easy. Weddings are expensive because men like sex.
Bob, there were many other items on that list (hence the “…” in between the three lines and the total).
Sean… if the article didn’t answer that question for you, perhaps the video above (or on WalletPop.com) could help.
Nope. I still don’t know why weddings are so expensive.
This article is inherently flawed. Just because one guy spent $27,000 in today’s money on a wedding in 1945 does NOT justify the expense of today’s weddings; this man was ONE guy who had a LOT more to spend on his daughter’s wedding than the average guy. Ask your grandparents how much they spent on their weddings to get a real idea of what regular people paid. And registries also do not justify or explain the costs of weddings today – that’s just how department stores capitalized on the growing wedding industry. Today’s weddings are ridiculously expensive because of spoiled outrageous “it’s MY day” bridezillas who want to outdo their spolied outrageous friends. If you want a deluxe wedding on a budget, don’t invite a lot of people, cut costs where you can – nobody needs a $5k, $10k, $20k, etc., gown from Kleinfeld’s. If you want to invite 200 people, have a cheaper reception; no fancy catering, no open bar, etc. Women today will spend more on a wedding than a car because they feel justified in doing so – that should change, especially if she’s putting her family, herself, or her future husband in debt for it. And for the record, I’m a woman who spent less than $5k on her wedding (gown, site, food, everything) because I was paying for it myself and wasn’t going into debt for it – and my wedding was the most beautiful one I’ve ever been to, and all of my 75 guests agreed.
I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you on this: “Today’s weddings are ridiculously expensive because of spoiled outrageous “it’s MY day” bridezillas who want to outdo their spolied outrageous friends.”
So because I’m spending a certain amount (more) then what regular people pay and because I say ‘this is MY day’ makes me spoiled and means I’m trying to out do my friends??? How so? IDK what kind of friends you have or people you live around but I don’t see it that way. You only get married once, (hopefully) so in hopes of this being my 1st and only marriage I want something someone can remember, and I want to feel important and beautiful in my gown. I want my wedding to be memorable, from the dress I wear to the food my guests ate.
I want to be able to do something that I never did or will be able to again….spend X amount on a dress, or wedding reception/ceremony. So I say if you have the money, go for it! why have a wedding so simple and boring in the Mayors office, or to just elope.. but I mean if that makes you happy, fine!. And also to say this: “Women today will spend more on a wedding than a car because they feel justified in doing so”…….UHHH yeah!!! you can buy a car whenever, this is not a one time thing. Getting married is. Now I’m not trying to argue, but simply stating my opinion, and depending on our age difference I’m sure this is why . Of course weddings are expensive but it depends on who you ask. To me, they are, but like I said… you only do it once so I say if you have the money and spend wisely go for the dress you always dreamed of since you were a little girl! why settle for something your not entirely happy with? BTW I’m getting married this year and know how expensive things are.
what a waste of money. The young couple could put a down payment on a house with $20K! Instead they spend it on a party for 10 hours!
My wife and I “eloped” with our families to Chicago for a long weekend. We hired a guy certified to marry us for $250 and had the wedding in front of Millennium Monument. The pictures of our event are stunning and it is an awesome memory for my wife and I. All said and done, our total expenses for getting married (family members paid their own travel expenses) were less than $2,000.
My wife and got married at the Baltimore County (MD) court house for $25. Our $25 marriage has held up for nearly 20 years so far and shows no signs of wearing out, so we’re satisfied with it.
I married my husband in jeans and a t-shirt at the justice of peace. Total cost? However much gasoline we used to get downtown that day. My ring was $400, and it’s lovely and dainty.
We had a phenomenal trip to the virgin islands and rented a private island and a boatman instead for our honeymoon. Cost? $4,000 including airfare.
But then I happen to have the common sense and maturity to understand that the actual marriage is far more important than the ceremony. Women wonder why they’re perceived as flighty nitwits, and then they stress over the flowers matching the invitations for days on end, and damn the expense. For god’s sake, grow up. You’re not a pretty princess playing dress-up and Pretend anymore.
A wedding is about a bride, a groom, their families, and their guests. Most women understand that. You just don’t hear much about it when people have good manners. Don’t settle for someone that can’t think of others on the most important day of their life. You won’t just get a bad spouse you’ll get bad in-laws who taught them their sense of entitlement too.
It’s a free world (well almost) so spend what you want on what ever you want.
OK seriously, if you budget is tight, focus your budget on what is important to you and where you will get the most value for your money. In my biased opinion throw your money at what will last beyond the wedding day, aka the photos!
My wedding is going to be hosted via Skype! That’ll cut down the costs
I’m confused — how does this blog answer the question, “Why are weddings so expensive?”
Stupid. I want 10 seconds of my life back.
It is the marriage NOT the wedding that is important.
We had a tasteful country wedding with a brunch reception that did my Reverend father very proud. It was important to my family, our congregations, and my husband/husband’s family to have a fairly traditional wedding. And we did!! 140 guests at just under $8K.
You can have a lovely day and not break the bank. $27,000 is excessive to say the least. I agree with what many others have stated–down-payment for a house!!!
And no, this article did not answer the question it posed. Instead it pointed the finger at inflation and called it a day. Le sigh.
Since I’m not married or even engaged yet, it’s hard to say how I will react when I do plan my wedding. $30,000 is definitely a ridiculous amount of money to spend on one day, but it is your wedding after all, and you only get one of them (hopefully)!
A lot of it has to do with tradition. There was almost a falling-out with my wedding because my husband’s side of the family is used to weddings with lots of food, full-course meal reception, dancing, food, open-bar, and so on. My side of the family isn’t wealthy by any means and we’re used to modest weddings; we had a budget of $7K for everything. We were able to compromise some, but I still think there’s some bitter feelings from that side. . . . Kinda shallow, if you ask me.
Caitlyn above said, “But then I happen to have the common sense and maturity to understand that the actual marriage is far more important than the ceremony. Women wonder why they’re perceived as flighty nitwits, and then they stress over the flowers matching the invitations for days on end, and damn the expense. For god’s sake, grow up. You’re not a pretty princess playing dress-up and Pretend anymore.”
Hit the nail on the head. Don’t ruin your (or your parents’) financial future just because you want YOUR perfect day. Really, that money can go to something more worthwhile.
One thing I noticed at every venue my wife and I looked at was that they had minimum requirements. If we wanted to have 90 people, it would be $5,000 more than having 200 people.
Wedding is the special occasion for every one and you can take all things new in this so its expensive and also invite people and arrange party and at all.
I don’t know, I think wedding receptions are important. Not just for the act of making two people one but showing the community (your guests) that your two families are now one.
I don’t believe anyone should go into hoc over it but the moment should be as special as what it is to signify and that is what I believe most reasonable brides are fretting over.
Also I would like to point out that this is a union between two people how come it is always the Bride who is the “crazy” demanding one. I have seen a fair share of Grooms who want everything perfect and they are labeled caring not groomzillas. The wedding is both their responsabilities.
I have spent some decent money on a wedding. Have to say, in the end, it’s the people, memories, and photos that matter. Not as much the venue, etc.
My parents had a VERY simple wedding, probably cost less than $50 back in the 1960′s. They couldn’t afford anything more. They have been married over 40 years, and have zero regrets. They’re best friends.
Of course, money isn’t everything, and in the end if something is a true lifelong dream you can’t stop it. Life IS ABSOLUTELY to enjoy. If a lavish wedding will be one of the greatest memories you will ever had, go for it!
That said, as folks get older, I think the important elements I mentioned above are what will stay with you most: people, memories, photos. And my parents great marriage proves that spending tons of money is not necessary for martial success.
People today have made a”business” of weddings, so that’s why things are so much! June is the busiest month & it lasts on thru September. Also, people today are greedy & selfish & think “bigger is better”. It’s become so focused on “the day” that people forget about the purpose: To unite a man & woman together in front of God FOREVER in a bond of love & commitment. I think almost every woman wants a special day & needs to realize that there’s more to it than a giant party with tons of people who aren’t your friends.
But you can get around the price tag & still blow all your friends weddings out of the water: Not including our wedding rings, our wedding was under $5000 (including a duo of amazing photographers!) & we paid cash for almost everything. And we were more than happy; our only regret was that we didn’t eat more of our cupcakes.
Check out out wedding photo’s:
http://dynamocreative.blogspot.com/2010/04/santa-barbara-wedding-melissa-pete.html