10/19/97
Lorilyn Rackly
Daily Herald Staff Writer

Tying the knot can tie up cash; average wedding costs $19,104

The quickly approaching holiday season is a popular time for couples to take their relationship to another level and get engaged.

But if you’re going to pop the question, be prepared to drop the serious cash.
A recent survey by Brides magazine puts the average cost of a wedding this year at $19,104.

That’s 26 percent more than the typical $15,208, it cost to tie the knot in 1990.
“Much of it has kept up with inflation, but there are some interesting trends we’re seeing in certain categories being way up,” said Millie Bratten, editor-in-chief of the New York-based magazine.

Flowers, photography and limousines are some of the culprits boosting the bill for couples.

Newylweds forked over an average of $756 this year on bouquets and floral arrangements, while their counterparts spent $478 in 1990.

The average limousine cost has nearly doubled in seven years, going from $201 in 1190 to $393 this year.

And couples devoted 44 percent more this year to photographers and videographers, which ate up about $1,311 of he typical wedding’s budget .

“we’re still kicking around the idea of hopping on a cruise and getting it over with that way,” said Jessica Dowling, a 25-year-old from Arlington Heights.

She just started planning her wedding scheduled for next October, which has become the most popular marriage month in the Chicago area.

“There’s all these hidden costs you don’t know about until you get into it,” she said. “Corking fees (to open the champagne), napkin rental fees-they’re just excuses to charge you another $50.”

Anyone who’s planned a wedding-or spent more than five minutes in the company of someone planning a wedding-no doubt knows that nuptials don’t come cheap.
But that didn’t stop some brides-to-be from getting a hefty dose of sticker shock at the Bridal Show/Expo last week in Bartlett.

Another wedding expo is scheduled Oct. 26 at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale.
“I had no idea, it would be this much, said Elgin resident Elizabeth Foote, after checking out the tags on the dresses at the Bartlett event.

“The cost of the reception shocked me the most”, she said.
“The cheapest I’ve fund is $38 a plate,” she said. “For 200 people you’re looking at $8,000.”

Not everything has become more expensive during the course of the decade.
Couples are spending less on music-to the tune of $52-than they did in 1990Experts say that’s because more people are opting for Djs rather than pricier bands.

And there are always creative ways to cut corners and save money-just ask Julie Humpa of Schaumburd.

The 24 year old will walk down the aisle next year in her mother’s wedding gown.
A relative is doing her invitations and she managed to save $10 to $12 a plate by having the reception on a Friday.

“Now we’re looking for a family member who can play piano during dinner,” Humpa joked.

Even after the penny-pinching and deal-making, Humpa still expects to spend $16,000 on her big day.

Part of the reason taking the plunge has become more expensive has to do with the types of weddings many couples are choosing.

“People are back to formality” said Frank J. Andonoplas, a Chicago wedding consultant and state coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants.

They want the pomp and circumstances as well as the special touches that will make their wedding unique.

And many couples are willing to pay for it.

“People are getting married later in life, “Andonoplas said.
“They’re working professionals,” he said. “That’s why I think we’re seeing a large increase in wedding budgets.”
Bride’s Bratten agrees.
“There’s more money going toward the event from more sources,” she said.
“It used to be the father of the bride shouldered the cost,” she said.
“Now the bride and groom are contributing much more.”
Heather LeVault and Kevin Geye are contributing a cool $25,000 for their wedding celebration.
Geye said he’s been surprises not only by how much the bill will, but what will be on it.
“I didn’t know anything about these party favors,” the 26-year old Hoffman Estates man said.
“I guess we’re giving everybody chocolate and it’s going to cost about $400.”
That’s a heck of a lot more than Heather’s grandmother, Dorothy LeVault from Elgin, spent on her entire wedding.
“We went to the justice of the peace and spent the weekend in Chicago,” she said. “It hardly cost us a thing.
“I keep telling them to save their money and elope

The price of taking the plunge

The average cost of a wedding has gone up $4000 since 1990. Here’s a look at how prices have changed over the last seven years:

Wedding Costs 1990 1997 Percent Change
Flowers $478 $756 58%
Photography,videography $908 $1311 44%
Music $882 $830 -6%
Limousine $201 $393 96%
Wedding Rings $1,004 $1,016 1%
Engagement Ring $2,285 $3,044 33%
Invitations, announcements $286 $327 14%
Rehearsal Dinner $501 $698 39%
Wedding Dress $794 $823 4%
Bride’s Headpiece $169 $166 -2%
Bridal Attendants’ apparel $745 $790 6%
Mother of the bride apparel $236 $231 -2%
Groom’s formalwear $82 $95 16%
Men’s Formalwear $333 449 35%
Clergy, church, chapel $166 $232 40%
Wedding reception** $5900 $7635 29%
Attendants’ gifts $238 $308 26%

Total $15,208 $19,104 26%
*costs reflect 5 bridesmaids and groomsmen.
**Assumes 200 guests
Source: “Bride’s Magazine 1997 survey of couples

Back to "In The News"