THE COUPLE:
49%WHO CONTRIBUTED
THE MOST MONEY TO THE
WEDDING?We grilled 103 just-married brides on
how their wedding affected their wallet
Money, Money,
MON E Y!
BEST COST-SAVING TIPS?“Do your research. We got a great
deal on a freelance photographer instead
of using an agency.”
“Keep your guest list as small as you can.”
“Marry off-season!”
“Think outside the city. We found a caterer
in the suburbs and saved so much.”
“Make sure your guests actually RSVP.
We overspent on food and cake because we
thought more people were coming.”
WHAT EXPENSE DID YOU
FORGET TO BUDGET FOR?
“Linens.”
“Invitations and postage.”
“Hair and makeup.”
“Gifts for the bridal party.”%^69 %
SAY CASH BARS ARE A
MAJOR DON’T. BUT 63%
ARE OK WITH SERVING
ONLY BEER AND WINE TO
SAVE MONEY.92 %
RECEIVED CASH
WEDDING GIFTS.
$ 4,155
IS THE AVERAGE TOTAL
THEY RAKED IN.58 %
HAD AN AFTER-PARTY.
WHO PAID FOR IT?
22% The couple
21% The bride’s parents
7% The guests
5% The groom’s parents
3% OtherIF I COULD DO IT
AGAIN, I WOULD
SPEND LESS ON ...
“Flowers.”
“Invitations.”
“The cake.”
“Bridesmaids’ dresses.”IF I COULD DO IT
AGAIN, I WOULD
SPEND MORE ON ...
“The photographer.”
“A D J. ”
“Transportation
to the after-party.”
“The honeymoon.”28
OF BRIDES FOUGHT OVER
THE WEDDING BUDGET
WITH THEIR PARTNER.TOP 3 WEDDING
SPLURGES:The d ress
The flowers
The band
See page 331 for sexy
spots in the Caribbean!Only 8% registered
for some part of their
honeymoon.30% cut back to save
for their wedding.“We skipped our annual
vacation.”
“We didn’t do dinner and
drinks out as often.”
“I didn’t buy as many clothes!”THOSE WITH A BRIDAL
PARTY SHELLED OUT$197
ON AVERAGE PER
BRIDESMAID.THE
BRIDE’S
PARENTS:
45%THE GROOM’S
PARENTS: 6%BRIDES.COMFROM LEFT: GETTY (3); PHILIPPE SALOMON; COURTESY OF FUJIFILM. SURVEY DATA COLLECTED FROM103WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN MARRIED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, USING SURVEY MONKEY AUDIENCE.114 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016POLL