wedding food - Beach Bride

If you’re about to start planning your wedding, you’re probably already thinking about what it’s going to cost you. According to various studies and a lot of research, there are some average costs for various aspects of a wedding. You’ll find those below, which might help you determine what to expect when it comes to paying for your wedding.

Average Dress Cost

On average, a woman will pay approximately $1,099 for her wedding dress. To save, purchase last season’s dress or shop online.

Average Wedding Costs: What to Expect — Photo Source: dress2015.com

Venue Cost

The average cost of the ceremony site is about $1,393. You can save money by hosting your wedding at your own home or the home of a family member. Also, booking the venue during the week can save you money as well.

The average cost of a reception site is much more; over $12,000. Of course, this is on average, so not all brides pay this much, and you don’t have to either. Host your reception in the same place as your ceremony or attempt to get a deal from your vendor.

Average Cost of Flowers

The average cost of flowers is approximately $1,988. Brides can save money by choosing flowers that are local rather than having them imported, and by choosing more greenery than blossoms. Also, choosing wildflowers or other flowers that are considered “weeds” but are still beautiful will also help.

Catering

Per head, the average cost of catering is about $61. You can save money by having a “potluck wedding,” or by cooking your own food. You may also want to go the less traditional route of just serving hors d’oeuvres or dessert. This is becoming more and more popular amongst brides.

By knowing what to expect, you can take steps to ensure that your wedding costs less than average and that you’re saving money!

If you’re stressing out over what type of food to serve your guests, consider this fun and brilliant idea: a wedding popcorn bar. If you time your wedding between meals, your guests won’t be as hungry and will still have some delicious popcorn to munch on during the reception. Here’s how this super fun idea works.

Wedding Popcorn Bar Idea: Inexpensive and Impressive — Photo Source: blog.happy-chantilly.com

The Popcorn

Start with a ton of popcorn. You have several different ways to do this, including purchasing large bags of plain popcorn and emptying them into a big, decorative container. If you want to spring for a little more, you can get an old-fashioned popcorn machine (or rent one) so the popcorn will be fresh. Then, you’ll want to set up a bar area so you can add fun other ingredients.

The Seasonings

Give your guests a large choice of popcorn seasonings to make their treats just the way they like them. Some ideas include nacho cheese seasoning, chili cheese, kettle corn seasoning, cool ranch, or a sweeter option, apple and cinnamon. Seasonings can be purchased at specialty stores. You can also add drawn butter for your guests to use as well.

The Extras

You’ll want to place bags out so each guest can fill a bag with popcorn. You can go with fancy bags or just plain, brown or white paper bags. Don’t forget the tools guests will need, like a scoop for the popcorn. You can also add an area for drinks. To keep it simple, place glass bottles in a large barrel filled with ice so guests can choose whatever they’d like.

This is a great idea! Everyone loves popcorn and this is a stress-free, inexpensive way to make sure your guests have great munchies at your reception.