How much does a wedding cost?

The word most associated with weddings is “expensive.” The cost of a wedding in Northern Virginia is over $60,000 according to data from The Wedding Report, Inc. This doesn't include all the other costs attributed to your nuptials, we’re talking dresses, suits, cake, photographer, etc., so bear in mind your final cost will be higher. A few areas to consider are:

• Budget - Before forming ideas, creating plans, and setting agendas, you absolutely must decide on your budget; otherwise, you will likely get overwhelmed with all the options, choices, and possibilities. It is imperative that you have a solid structure with definitive parameters where you and your partner agree on the final price. Then stick to it. 

• Priorities - Make a list of your must-haves and would-like-to-haves. You might find that your 200-person guest list pushes your catering budget over the top, or the more affordable photographer works for you instead.  

• Wedding planner - Couples hire an average of 14 vendors for their wedding day, so a wedding planner goes a long way to ensuring you stay within your budget. Some people see them as an additional expense that is not really necessary; however, they relieve so much pressure and angst from planning and decision-making,  that they are worth the extra cost. With their knowledge of the industry and connections with vendors, they invariably save you money.
• All-inclusive or DIY - You can also choose an all-inclusive venue with a menu of options on a sliding scale for your budget. You might have an initial sticker shock, especially for the more upscale venues, but considering all the obvious costs, as well as all the hidden ones, all-inclusive venues can come in around the same price as the piecemeal option.

To get an idea of where and how much you will spend on your wedding, the data below shows the average costs that couples across Northern Virginia spend on each item. 

The average cost in Northern Virginia is $8,700 for the wedding venue, with an additional $2,892 for rentals

This is likely your most significant cost. So things to consider are:

• A more intimate venue will likely be more expensive, as will a culturally historic site
• If there isn’t a designated structure, you want to consider renting a tent
• A destination wedding will add more expenses as you incorporate flights, airport transportation, and meals among the various costs
• If your wedding ceremony is beyond walking distance to the reception, you need transportation
• Wedding insurance covers anything from cancellations to property damages to theft.

The average cost in Northern Virginia is $75 per person.

Guest numbers have a significant impact on your budget items, such as catering, whereas others are less so, such as the wedding dress. While most couples tend to hover around the 120-guest limit, the cost varies greatly and is not necessarily exponential as you add or subtract more people. 

The guest list might be the first place to start adjusting your numbers to fit within your budget. The average budget per number of guests:

200+: $40,000 and up

150–200: $36,000

100–150: $31,000

75–100: $22,000

50–75: $18,000

Less than 50: $15,000 and down

• Wedding planner $2,377 - 4,739
• Hair and make-up $310
• Florist $3,730
• Photographer $2,600 
• Videographer $2,247

Listen to your vendors as they usually have excellent ideas on how to be cost-effective with your decisions. Working with a wedding planner can mitigate unnecessary expenses, as they have established business connections with their preferred vendors and can offer more reasonable prices. 

For example, a florist might suggest you choose from a selection of flowers that are in season if you are not absolutely insistent on that spectacular blooms-once-every-ten-years orchid from the jungles of deepest Africa.  Or a photographer might guide you to a beautiful and cost-effective field of wildflowers instead of the beautiful and expensive private gardens for your formal portraits. 

Most weddings occur between May and October, so you can expect that demand for venues increases the prices.   You might consider an off-season wedding if you are looking to save money.

• Summer is the most popular, and prices are accordingly higher
• Spring, fall, and winter are more cost-effective, but weather can be an issue
• Saturdays are by far the most traditional wedding day; some couples are opting for a Friday evening or even mid-week