I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Original post by eliz808

May 12, 2005 11:53 AM

I look at a wedding as a poor 'financial investment', its definetly has a lot of sentimental value but come on. I know that the amount $$ parents are spending will not even come close to what we will get in gifts.

vkalli Posted: May 12, 2005 12:30 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

My husband and I spend close to $50,000 on our wedding, had 125 guests and made back $12,000. Not even close. But we look upon it as one of the most special days in our life. We will never forget it!!

103005FallBride Posted: May 12, 2005 12:45 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by eliz808

I look at a wedding as a poor 'financial investment', its definetly has a lot of sentimental value but come on. I know that the amount $$ parents are spending will not even come close to what we will get in gifts.

FH & I are paying for our entire wedding ourselves...so no $$ being layed out from anyone, but us...not a penny.
We know we're not even going to come close... Wasn't even a thought to us. We know our family and friends...if they had the $$$$ to give as gifts...they would have given it to us to help pay for the wedding to begin with.

AnniesSS Posted: May 12, 2005 01:15 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by rosaria

...To be honest..I am not even thinking of it like that.I just want everyone to come have a GREAT time and then still talk about it weeks later...

I'm hoping for the same thing - I want everyone to have fun and brag about it to those who decided not to come party with us

ChrissynRicky Posted: May 12, 2005 01:20 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by rosaria

I dont think you will ever get more than what is spent,,but I do believe you can come close or break even...

Y'ALL CAN LAUGH AT ME ALL YOU WANT! OUR BUDGET IS 18K AND I'M 90% SURE THAT WE'LL COME VERY VERY CLOSE TO IT!

We're blessed with many family members and very very close friends, that were invited - the family members always give you the most $$$$ and cover their plate and beyond for each one invited. We minimized our guestlist to 'casual' friends (the $ was not a determining factor, the size of our wedding was) that we knew we would definitely not get anything even close to the plate cost.

JimmysBride Posted: May 12, 2005 01:27 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Well... technically, if Mom and Dad or ILs are paying for most or all of the wedding, then yes, the Bride and Groom CAN profit from the wedding.

Kelly9904 Posted: May 12, 2005 01:44 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

It is a poor financial investment for a young couple unless of course someone else is paying.
I think when all was said and done, what we paid minus our gifts= us spending about $5K maybe less.

And a year later people are still telling us that it was the wedding was the best they had ever been to! Asking who we used for vendors, etc. SO it was worth every penny spent!

Steph62406 Posted: May 12, 2005 01:55 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by cindyandkevin

FI thinks we're gonna make it all back in gifts, but I don't even think we'll make half!

So does mine an I just keep telling him he's dreaming ! ! !

VS11 Posted: May 12, 2005 02:10 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by ChristineAEid

Posted by rosaria

I dont think you will ever get more than what is spent,,but I do believe you can come close or break even...

Y'ALL CAN LAUGH AT ME ALL YOU WANT! OUR BUDGET IS 18K AND I'M 90% SURE THAT WE'LL COME VERY VERY CLOSE TO IT!

We're blessed with many family members and very very close friends, that were invited - the family members always give you the most $$$$ and cover their plate and beyond for each one invited. We minimized our guestlist to 'casual' friends (the $ was not a determining factor, the size of our wedding was) that we knew we would definitely not get anything even close to the plate cost.

I am more than sure that you will also!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel the same way about ours..
Maybe not get back all that was put out,,but come very close.....and agian that is becasue I have a very generous family and so does FH.

eta: I AM SAYING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW MY FAMILY,,NOT BECAUSE I EXPECT IT OR BECAUSE IT IS ALL I THINK ABOUT...

CJStein Posted: May 12, 2005 02:14 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

I don't even think about that when planning...sure, I hope people are gracious and give us nice gifts, but I'm way more concerned with them being there and enjoying themselves. And FH and I are paying for a large portion of the wedding.

I don't think people should look at having a wedding as a way to make $$. JMHO.

Donna Posted: May 12, 2005 02:38 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

It is very rare to make it all back - unless your family is paying for everything. Remember while most people are generous and cover their plates - that doesn't take into account the cost of the music, limos, flowers, tuxes, dress, honeymoon, etc.

And while most people are generous and some are very generous it balances out the stiffers and less generous givers

melijane Posted: May 12, 2005 02:59 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

My friends Mom saved her whole life for her wedding and spent..get ready for this... $70,000 on it! It was in South Street Seaport in a loft so it was beautiful. They made back around 50,000. We are spending about 15,000 on ours and exoect to get back around 10. My FFI is from upstate NY where it is traditional to bring gifts not give $$ :

AtticaQT Posted: May 12, 2005 03:04 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

You dont break even - it really is hard to do that unless you have extemely generous friends and family and you arent really spending a lot to begin with.

THe gifts we got pretty much covered the hall, photo/video and the flowers. BUT that includes some extremely generous gifts from our family.

dpli Posted: May 12, 2005 03:12 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

Posted by ChristineAEid

Posted by rosaria

I dont think you will ever get more than what is spent,,but I do believe you can come close or break even...

Y'ALL CAN LAUGH AT ME ALL YOU WANT! OUR BUDGET IS 18K AND I'M 90% SURE THAT WE'LL COME VERY VERY CLOSE TO IT!

We're blessed with many family members and very very close friends, that were invited - the family members always give you the most $$$$ and cover their plate and beyond for each one invited. We minimized our guestlist to 'casual' friends (the $ was not a determining factor, the size of our wedding was) that we knew we would definitely not get anything even close to the plate cost.

I'd be interested to hear if you do. Many of our guests gave more than the cost of the plate, but some didn't and it is interesting to see who those people are- sometimes the ones you least expected. Like I said before, the cost of the hall and a few other things was covered, but definitely not the whole wedding. I was really pleasantly surprised by most people's generosity, but it's a lot of cash to make up!

N.Y.bride Posted: May 12, 2005 04:05 PM

Re: I laugh whenever I hear people say that they will make $$ from their weddings, am I the only one that feels this way?

MY FMIL & FFIL paid for some of the wedding and Im not inviting children, just couples over 18, so I think we'll make out o.k. I'm also not paying a high price per person. At this point I really don't care. I am just so excited to get married, but I think it definately does vary depending on who you invite and how much you actually spend.

I have to say, I can't wait until I don't have to wedding plan anymore!