Is Big Wedding Worth the Price?

 Posted on February 28, 2014 in Divorce

According to a report from ABC News, the average price of a wedding is over $27,000 - not including the honeymoon. In a survey conducted by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, 18,000 couples who were married in 2011, were asked to list expenses in 16 different areas. Final price tag was just under $200 per guest. This was based on a guest list of about 138 people.

The biggest spenders were couple in New York City, where the average cost of a wedding was just under $66,000. Chicago couples came in second, at $53,000 per wedding. The third and fourth were both in New York - Long Island, at $50,000; the Hudson Valley $46,000. Neighboring New Jersey's weddings averaged approximately $42,000; followed by Rhode Island at $41,000; and Los Angeles and Philadelphia both at $37,000. Couples in West Virginia spent the least, with their costs averaging $14,000.

Ninety percent of couples set a budget for their wedding, but only 32 percent actually keep to it. Many couples use credit cards to pay for some or all of their wedding expenses.

One of the most common marital issues that newly married couples face is dealing with finances, and it is one of the top reasons for divorce. Newly married couples may already be dealing with the financial burden of student loans, credit card debt and car loans, as well as increased household expenses that marriage brings. Too much debt can also force the couple to put off plans, such a purchasing a home or starting a family.

Adding an extra $27,000 to what may be an already financially stressed out couple could be enough to cause a break-up. Experts suggest rethinking the plans you may have if it's going to leave you beginning your new life together in the red. Some ways to cut costs could be the following:

• Booking your wedding during the off-season, when prices are cheaper;
• Cutting the guest list;
• Considering food options, such as a buffet instead of a full sit-down meal;
• Considering a more intimate affair, with less "pomp and circumstances."

If you are having financial difficulties and are considering a divorce, it's important to contact a qualified DuPage County divorce attorney to make sure you are aware of all your options.