We got married two years ago. Wedding cost about $15,000. And I was trying to save money the whole time.
The major cost was the food/alchohol. We opted for a 3-hour open bar and a nice buffet at Embassy Suites. Just that cost about $8,000 for 75 people.
Another $4,000 went to the photographer. And he was cheap for being so wonderful (he spent all day with us and took the most beautiful photographs).
So, after that I spent another couple hundred on a DJ, a couple hundred on a cake, about $400 on wedding dress/etc. Another couple hundred on a limo, flowers (which I arranged myself), invites/programs/favors (which I printed myself), did my own hair/makeup to save money, a couple musicians for the wedding, officiant fee, etc - all that added up to the last $3,000.
Before anyone criticizes - every single person at our wedding had an absolute blast! And my folks were happy to see their only daughter have such a beautiful wedding.
My wedding cost about $15k as well and that was a buffet dinner. We had our reception on the Riverfront in San Antonio. I have friends with well-to-do parents who spent $50k easy.
The article is right on about the wedding industry. They keep inventing new crap to spend money on. And the dozen or so wedding shows on TLC/Style/H&G do a good job of brainwashing every chick to expect the best. It starts with the ring. I tell everyone she wearing my new plasma TV on her finger.
'We opted for a 3-hour open bar and a nice buffet at Embassy Suites. Just that cost about $8,000 for 75 people.'
You got jammed here, but if you liked the result who cares as it was your $$$.