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Marriage Mania: Average Couple spends more than $26,000 on Weddings
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | August 12, 2012 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 08/13/2012 1:44:37 PM PDT by NYer

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To: Mrs. Don-o; Old Sarge

Pretty flowers!

You know, something as simple as choosing carnations over roses, or artificial flowers over fresh, can save a significant amount. I love carnations, and had them in my wedding bouquet and hairpiece, while my maid of honor and bridesmaid (just the two - my best friend from high school and my cousin) had artificial flowers. The whole flower cost was about $100.

$50 for the organist (an Air Force wife), and $50 for the “coordinator,” another wife, whose job was to unlock the chapel, turn the lights on, and tidy up afterward. Years later, people were still saying, “I loved your wedding!”


21 posted on 08/13/2012 2:38:31 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("You're screwed, losers. Steyn 2012!")
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To: Tax-chick; Old Sarge
I do hope people get on this thread and start bragging about their low-cost, funny, corny, hearwarming weddings. Don-o and I spent $200 total, as I remember it (it's all kind of a blur, but I can prove it happened, I have pictures!)

The parish church was already loaded wih poinsettias (it was 6 days after Christmas) and the reception was in the home of my good friend, who had a bunch of adopted children (adults) who did all the cooking, and some of the guests brought dishes too. (I'll never forget my friend Elise with the apple-pear cake.)

New Years Ceili dance down the street (free)...

My sweet Don-o and me....

Oh, it was good!

22 posted on 08/13/2012 2:54:03 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Love, sweet love.)
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To: NYer
In indicating that $26,000 is the average, that means that half spend more, some a lot more.

Statistics Fail!

23 posted on 08/13/2012 2:55:55 PM PDT by Fundamentally Fair (Pictionary at the Rorschach's tonight!)
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To: trailhkr1

Well, the reception hall is free because we’re both veterans. Catering is still being negotiated. And the reception will most likely be family-only, nice and small.


24 posted on 08/13/2012 2:57:35 PM PDT by Old Sarge (We are now officially over the precipice, we just havent struck the ground yet)
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To: Tax-chick
Back to 6th grade math, Msgr. "Average" means the arithmetic mean ... total up and divide by the number of items. That gives no information about the distribution. If it were the median, that would mean half more, half less.

Great minds…

25 posted on 08/13/2012 3:02:37 PM PDT by Fundamentally Fair (Pictionary at the Rorschach's tonight!)
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To: Mrs. Don-o; Old Sarge; boatbums; Anoreth

I believe I recall “boatbums” saying they had a nice wedding on their boat. Ours are supposed to be in church, of course, but there’s no reason you can’t have a nice setaround on your boat afterward. (My husband wants a boat, but I’d rather have a laundromat ...)

I expect Federal Agent Anoreth will get married in the pastor’s office one of these days - assuming it’s in the church building - and then everyone can drink on the boat. Why blow money on a dress when you already paid for a dress uniform you hardly ever use?


26 posted on 08/13/2012 3:03:35 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("You're screwed, losers. Steyn 2012!")
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To: AuntB

Sorry, no offense but...you seem to be a slow learner. You are way too good for your own good.


27 posted on 08/13/2012 3:05:11 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: NYer

I paid $2,500 when I got married in 1975. Plus, I had a live band.


28 posted on 08/13/2012 3:10:26 PM PDT by Slyfox
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To: Fundamentally Fair

I saw your post. No wonder this country elected Obama ... Ignorance!


29 posted on 08/13/2012 3:10:39 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("You're screwed, losers. Steyn 2012!")
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To: Tax-chick

sounds wonderful? There’s too much GLITZ today and the smashing of cake in someone’s face is so totally ghastly I can’t begin to imagine. And...brides today get their hair and MAKEUP done prior to the wedding and the attendants have to as well? Take me as I am with my own make up thank you. It’s all OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


30 posted on 08/13/2012 3:12:32 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: Tax-chick
I saw your post. No wonder this country elected Obama ... Ignorance!

Yep. It's like the average person is less than average nowadays.

;)

31 posted on 08/13/2012 3:21:45 PM PDT by Fundamentally Fair (Pictionary at the Rorschach's tonight!)
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To: NYer

That seems excessive, but then not everywhere is like Tijeras, New Mexico where you can find a pastor that will perform the service for a case of Bud Light.


32 posted on 08/13/2012 3:26:32 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Mrs. Don-o; Tax-chick; NYer; trailhkr1
I do hope people get on this thread and start bragging about their low-cost, funny, corny, hearwarming weddings.

Oh, and the challenge is on!

The Bride just read the OP, and shook her head in disbelief at the price tags. But she LOVED the comments!

Okay, as it stands now, the wedding venue itself is a sunset beach ceremony. That's where most of the cash is going, for the setting, the photos, the vows, and such.

The reception is compliments of the VFW Post of which we're both members. The Post DJ will do free music. As I said, catering is still in the works.

I'd like to add you four to my Wedding Ping List, if you wouldn't mind?

33 posted on 08/13/2012 3:37:02 PM PDT by Old Sarge (We are now officially over the precipice, we just havent struck the ground yet)
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To: NYer

Dear Mrs Web says:

Have the wedding you can afford.

www.dearmrsweb.com


34 posted on 08/13/2012 3:43:14 PM PDT by Chickensoup (STOP The Great O-ppression)
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To: Tijeras_Slim
not everywhere is like Tijeras, New Mexico where you can find a pastor that will perform the service for a case of Bud Light.

In Eloy, Arizona it's Tecate.

35 posted on 08/13/2012 3:52:13 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Whatever a homosexual union might be or represent, it is not physically marital. - F.Cardinal George)
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To: Old Sarge
My first “wedding” was in the JP’s living room with two friends standing up for us. I was in a lilac micro mini, white heeled sandals and white gloves ( for the modest touch) then dinner out for the four of us at the Polynesian restaurant north of Boston

My last wedding was for 50 at my club. Finger food open bar, a Bloody Mary and Champagne brunch with live music, piano, guitar and flute in the club living rooms. White dot-indian dress and sandals. Friends did the flowers and daisies are my favorite ones. Beautiful handmade cake topped with a handmade porcelain cake topper that looked like us jumping in a field of fresh daisies of course.

My next wedding? Probably a quiet ceremony, and a restaurant meal.

36 posted on 08/13/2012 3:54:17 PM PDT by Chickensoup (STOP The Great O-ppression)
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To: Jeff Chandler

I’ll thank you not to be lordin’ your high falutin’ and sophisticated ways over me! ;)


37 posted on 08/13/2012 3:57:59 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: NYer
I was married in 1982. $25 for the pastor, $25 for the organist, $25 for the janitor, and $25 for the church fund. Had about 50 guests.

We spent $300 on a white wool Pendleton suit/skirt for the bride and I wore a three piece suit I already owned. The Maid of Honor wore a nice dress and my Best Man wore a suit he already owned.

The reception was at our house I bought from my parents and they paid for the food while my oldest brother bought the booze as our gift. My best friend’s sister made our wedding cake (she did it as a part time business) and gave it to us as her present.

$400 dollars out of our pocket if you include the wool suit which she wore at formal occasions after.

We are still married 30 years later and are proud of our wedding.

38 posted on 08/13/2012 4:02:55 PM PDT by OldMissileer
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To: Old Sarge

Oh yes,yes the Wedding Ping List. What’s the date? I can hardly wait!


39 posted on 08/13/2012 4:26:37 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Mazel Tov!)
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To: Old Sarge

Oh yes,yes the Wedding Ping List. What’s the date? I can hardly wait!


40 posted on 08/13/2012 4:26:58 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Mazel Tov!)
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