What does a Washington DC wedding cost? with Teatime Catering
What does it cost to host a wedding and reception in the Washington DC and Northern Virginia area? Truthfully, it can cost whatever the market will support. And what exactly does that mean? It means it can cost a lot.
In today’s Washington Post there is an excellent article by Color of Money journalist Michelle Singletary www.wapo.st/michelle-singletary
The article speaks generally to the question: “Okay, so when can you spend money on something you want?”
Can you save for a period of time, and splurge on the wedding? Ms. Singletary goes on to state that according to The Knot, “the average wedding, not including the honeymoon, costs $32,213. The average amount spent on a wedding dress was $1,357. Almost half (45%) went over their budget. Twenty-three percent didn’t even have a budget.
The most expensive place to get married is Manhattan, where the average wedding cost $76,328. In the Washington DC area, the average wedding cost $39,025.” That certainly gave me a moment to briefly gasp.
No one denies this is a very special day in the life of a couple about to marry. But contrary to what the wedding industry would like you to believe, it is NOT the MOST important day of your life. It certainly doesn’t need to be the most expensive day of your life as well.
There are stunning venues throughout the Washington DC market, as well as Northern Virginia, Montgomery County or Prince George’s County in Maryland. Often you can rent on a Friday or a Sunday for a reduced rate.
You can bring in your own alcohol for a dramatic reduction in catering expenses. And one of the easiest ways – yet so very hard for many couples – is to simply reduce the guest count. Do you really want to be feeding a co-worker or distant cousin at $100+ per person or would those funds be better spent on a down payment for your first home? Does this kill the buzz of wedding fever? Or will this help prevent the hangover many couple’s experience once the bills start piling up.
I have many clients sit down with me with the need to keep things in a strict budget. We cannot make that happen with a guest count of 250+. But what we can do is talk about what I can provide with the budget you are proposing. And if it is not going to be enough food, it’s going to make us both look bad. People come to a wedding reception to eat, drink, dance and have fun. You do not want your wedding reception to be remembered as the event where guests had to stop at a fast casual dining establishment AFTER they left the party.
Make a realistic budget. If you do not know how to make that happen, get help. You would not purchase a home with out homework on what things will cost. Educate yourselves on price ranges. That is the key.
Ms. Singletary’s closing comment is not specific to the wedding industry, but still applies here. “Some of you will think it’s preposterous to suggest that people should wait to treat themselves until they have a savings cushion and are out of debt. But me, I think it’s ludicrous, and risky, to live like you have it when you don’t.
And some things are simply priceless.
