Anyone with a Large budget???

I also wouldn't spend 70 on a wedding. I don't think I could even attempt to and if I could I would still spend around what I'm spending now (2 to 3) and spend the rest on a downpayment on a house or something. If they are "forcing" you to do something you aren't comfortable with then they need to be paying up. You don't have to follow the "norm" of your family if it makes you uncomfortable or in debt of any kind.

Say what now? You're looking to spend $70k on your wedding but move into an apartment. I don't know where you live but....ok I'm leaving >>>

I leave in NYC and I am spending about 7K on a small wedding for 50 guests. My parents are paying for all of the big things, but they have been very hands off, in terms of how we spend it... my dad says "its your wedding do what you want, just tell me how much" Even if I had the money to burn I couldn't spend that on the wedding. Depending on what boro you live 70K may not be enough for a down payment (i.e. Manhattan) but its a great start as opposed to renting. Especially since now is the time to buy in NYC. But ultimately, its your day not your mom's - why does she get to tell you who you have to have there and give you ultimatums... so NOT right!!

If you don't feel like 70K for a wedding is "doing anything crazy," this might be the wrong reference group for you. It certainly seems to be well above the average for most of this site's users.

I feel your pain Mariella - we're having an NYC wedding as well, and it's going to be about 65-70k. But I definitely agree with the others when it comes to the guest list. We've had to make a lot of tough decisions on who to invite/not to invite, but in the end, it is your choice and no one elses (unless they are footing the bill!).

I think 70k to spend on a wedding is fine if it's within your means. And I think that's what most of the girls are getting at here. I don't think they are against spending that much...it just depends on your situation. If you own your home, make decent money, aren't going to go into debt bc of the wedding, and don't have to hope for enough gifts to recoup the costs....and it's want you want, I say go for it. Otherwise, I'd say save that money because there are more important things in life than having a wedding that costs more than you can really handle.

I'm sorry but if I had 70,000 to spend on the wedding without any other financial worries I sooo would DO IT!!!

I AM only getting married ONCE, I have waited 37 (38 by the big day) years for this day. Our budget is at about 15,000 with a guest list of about 130. Wouldn't necessarily have a bigger guest list but there are so many other things I would love to splurge on for that day!!!

Agreed with jlam - are you concerned Mariella because it will leave you guys in debt? Or because you think it just sounds like a big number? Most people in the NYC area rent, so it is not unsual, but if you think you're in over your head with living costs and wedding costs, i'm sure its not too late to cut costs on the little things. We have been saving for over two years and will have no debt after the wedding, so I'm taking the once in a lifetime chance to splurge.

I am looking at a budget around $40k w/o the rings. FH and I are contributing about $8k. My family is paying around $22k, and FH around $10k.

But **** I like to point out, the money my parents are contributing definitly has strings attached. Same with the rehearsal dinner that his parents are paying for and planning.

We have a guest list of 180.

What Ladylee said...SMH

FH Family*

That's great! Just make sure you don't have too much financial burden on you after the wedding is over. You want to enjoy each other and not be stressed about finances.

Hoping to get $35,000 back in gifts???!! im floored. thats more than what I make in a year!

Hummmmmm my budget is over $20,000 but frankly, I find it kind of rude to flaunt it here and expect pity from people in the same breath.

What Rosie said... I mean, I'm with Brian; there's no right amount to spend, but it certainly sounds like you would have preferred to do other things with that money. On the other hand, it also sounds like it might be too late to do much about that, so there's not a lot we can do. But in general, discussions here tend to focus on issues with smaller budgets, at least as far as I've seen. So WW may not be a place where you can get a lot of useful feedback. You might want to look at other sites where the average budget is higher.

Mariella, sorry if this is too personal of a question, but I wanna ask you, is your wedding being paid for with a credit card? The average annual interest on a credit card is 18%, so take the 18% and divide that by 12 and you get the monthly interest which is 0.015 or 1.5%. Do you know what 1.5% of $70,000 is? It's $1,050 and that's just the first month, it gets added on to your bottom line you get charged 1.5% again, and again, and again. Can you pay at least $1,050 on your credit card every month? If you can't, your bills will get bigger and bigger. Then if your late once, just once, your annual interest rate goes up 30%. Not to mention your credit report will go to crap. That can prevent you from getting jobs, buying a home, buying a car or getting a loan. You will be paying off your wedding for years and years to come.

I just wanna say one more thing, with the 18% interest rate, if you pay just $1,100 a month from the beginning, it will take you 18 years to pay it off. That is just the wedding alone and if you interest rate doesn't go up (which might with inflation and bad credit). Just let that sit in your mind for a while.

You must be rich!!!If that's the case good for you. 70,000.00 is a lot for a wedding.

Ummm, $70K on ONE day and still have to live in an apt?? Not for me, but if you like it, I love it.

IMHO, I would tell mom that I'm sorry she can't make ut but 2nd and 3rd cousins aren't coming unless she pays for it. End of discussion.

I (personally) would NEVER spend that kind of money knowing my lifestyle would be affected in that manner. Your family is being selfish. What about any children you plan to have? They want you to wait until the debt hanging over your head is done, first?

Do you have all this money up front or do you have to take out loans? As a frame of reference, it took me 5 years paying $1,000 per month to pay of $50,000 in student loans (VERY low interest rate.)

It's your life, and if you don't want to be saddled with the debt then just tell your family you can only afford $X and if they want a fancier wedding THEY should pay for it!!! Geez.

Denise M. above makes a very good point. Except that it's not even 24 hours. It's like 12 at best.