While New York City is a top wedding destination, it's also one of the most expensive cities to tie the knot. Renting a venue, hiring a wedding planner, buying decorations, and booking a DJ or live band for your big day could cost you as much as $60,000. Here, we unpack the cost of holding a New York wedding so you can have a rough idea of how much you'll spend.
Wedding Planner
A wise couple will seek the help of a wedding planner. This professional can help you make the most of your wedding budget, supervise sticky items like legal contracts, iron-out last minute details, and keep things streamlined. If your celebration entails complex orchestration and flipping the ceremony space so it's ready for reception, you will need a wedding planner to help you bring in the right vendors. A day-of coordinator ensures that the wedding goes to plan so you can have a joyous time. Some wedding planners charge a flat fee while others will ask for a percentage of the total wedding costs. This could be anything between $3,000 and $10,000 — or even higher.
Venue Rentals
While almost every other aspect of a wedding is optional, from cakes to flowers, the wedding venue is something you can't skip. It's where your family, friends, and guests gather and celebrate. There are many options, from an elegant ballroom to a quiet stretch of the beach. Venue and party rentals in NYC will set you back $3,000 to $7,500.
A modern wedding works well with ballrooms and fancy restaurant spaces, while a wedding that incorporates natural elements and greenery is well-suited for parks, backyards, and ranches. It's essential that you find a location that suits your style, fits your budget, and offers value for your money. While shopping around for a venue, keep the guest list in mind.
Entertainment
Once you've said your vows, cut the cake, and the wedding party have made their speeches, it's time to dance. The right band or DJ for the wedding will get everyone to their feet. If your budget allows, you can get a live band to play the first set of tunes then let the DJ take over the after party.
Photographer and Videographer
Image via Pixabay by MichaelGaida
You'll probably want a professional videographer and photographer to capture the special moments and all of the action and romance of the day. Experience counts here. You want to work with someone who takes an individual approach to each shoot, capturing the moments in a way that's unique, artistic, and authentic. Set aside $2,000 to $5,000 for all your photo shoots and $1,400 to $3,000 for filming. Some professionals offer wedding packages that incorporate filming and photo shoots.
Bridal Party Gifts and Favors
Odds are your bridal party has helped you out a lot, from volunteering their time to organizing bachelorette getaways. Whether it's unique ornamental gifts or thoughtful favors, wedding gifts are tokens of gratitude and appreciation for all the support you've received. There are many small gifts that you can give out as a heartfelt thank you on the eve of your wedding. How much you'll spend for gifts and favors depends on the size of the wedding party. Set aside $100 to $400.
Attire and Accessories
When shopping for wedding dresses and suits, most couples go for attire that meets the latest trends or shows off their individuality. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the wedding attire matches your body type and complexion. Bridal boutiques and shops across NYC offer a variety of colors and designs plus matching accessories. So take time to explore their collection of gowns, dresses, and suits.
A standard wedding dress will cost you from $2,500 to $7,000, and a veil or headpiece is $100 to $400. The amount could be higher if the dress is made-to-order or is from an upmarket designer. A groom's suit can cost between $200 and $800 in NYC.
Makeup, Hair, and Salon Services
Before you walk down the aisle, you'll have to find someone to glam you up. New York City is teeming with professional stylists and makeup artists who can help you pull off the perfect look for your big day. You'll also need some manicures and facials. How high or low maintenance you'd like to be is a personal choice. Makeup and hair will set you back $200 to $400 (and often quite a lot more).
Flowers
Whether your wedding is simple and elegant or big and splashy, flowers are likely to play a big role in your event. A typical wedding ceremony usually incorporates bridal bouquets, altar flowers, groomsman boutonnieres, corsages, and various blooms in the garlands and centerpieces. If you decide to go for these, set aside $3,000 to $9,000 for your wedding flower budget.
Wedding Cake or Dessert
A major highlight of any wedding is the cake. Bakers often draw their inspiration from the wedding decor and their environment. With an array of flavors and colors, there's always something to match your wedding palette and make your sweet tooth happy. Consider the number of guests attending before you order a wedding cake. Bakers charge $500 to $1,200 for custom wedding cakes with various fillings.
Transportation
Without a budget and a general idea of the expenses involved in transportation, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of shuttling the bridal party to and from the wedding venue. You can get a party bus for the guests and a limo for the wedding party. Make sure you finalize the transportation schedule and pass the information to guests so everyone knows the pick-up and drop-off points. To move your wedding party, you will spend at least $600 to $1,400 during the big day.
So, there you have it. A breakdown of the cost of a typical NYC wedding brought to you by Martin Busch Jewelers. We hope you and your loved one enjoy planning your big day. And if you think we missed anything, drop us a line and let us know!