Wedding costs: Do I barf or laugh?
Perhaps the biggest party you'll ever throw is a wedding. Michelle Philippe is trying to keep things on track and the costs in line for her big day.
Wedding cake ((istockphoto))
More on Spending
TESS VIGELAND: Saving for life's big events is something we talk about a lot on the program. College tuition, retirement plans, and perhaps the biggest party you'll ever throw: a wedding.
If you're thinking cha-ching, don't let our commentator know. Michelle Philippe wants to keep the costs down for her big day.
MICHELLE PHILIPPE: Planning my wedding seems so doable -- until I actually get involved in it. But I am the bride. My involvement is mandatory.
Small. We'll keep it small and simple. I'm going to eat those words as sure as I'm going to eat cake.
I start with the biggest questions: When and Where?
When is easy. My fiance Misha and I want to get married during our favorite time of year: fall. Check one off the list.
Onto where. A hip Los Angeles restaurant. Velvet curtains, chandeliers. Very romantic -- until the crushing price tag: 20 grand for a Saturday night party.
Twenty thousand dollars. Should I barf or laugh? Add tax, 18 percent service charge and about $750 in valet parking for our guests. Haha! What are these crazy event planners thinking?
Soon it becomes clear that it's me and not them. What am I thinking?
I should have listened to Misha when he wisely suggested we run off to Reykjavik. But I have no family in Iceland. The only person I know there is Bjork -- and we've never met.
We compromise, leaving the glitz of Hollywood behind for the quietude of wine country. Very practical -- we can get vino by the case! Sparkling wine for everyone. I can toast to that. Bubbles make me merry.
I call bakeries and florists and photographers while Misha takes on DJs. Deja vu. How can things possibly cost this much? The word "wedding" prompts instantaneous inflation. One photographer quotes a price range with the high end reaching the cost of a new car. Barf or laugh?
So: we are getting married in a beautiful garden where flowers are already growing. The sunshine is free. At 2 a.m. the morning after our wedding, daylight savings ends and we gain a whole free hour. I say "I do" to that.
VIGELAND: Michelle Philippe is an actor. She works here at Marketplace. And tune in next week for another installment of our Engaged series -- Mike and Tiffany's wedding date has finally arrived. This is Marketplace Money from American Public Media.
