Have you just gotten engaged? Then congratulations! You certainly have a lot of planning in your future.
While wedding planning can be fun, it can also be stressful, especially if you don’t have a clue what anything costs. In this article, we’ll show you how much wedding bands cost, plus more so you can stop worrying so much.
Wedding Bands: Cost Can Vary
Are you trying to get a rough estimate on how much your wedding bands are going to cost? Well, the bad news is, it can vary widely.
This is because it depends on the material and stones you want in them. Plus, if you want them to come from a well-known jeweler, that’ll bump up the price tag significantly too.
Here are a few types of wedding bands and average prices so you can get an idea of what you like and if it fits within your budget.
Gold or White Gold
This is the classic metal people choose for their wedding bands. If you don’t like the class yellow look, you can opt for white gold instead.
Pure gold measures in at 24 karats; the lower the number, the less gold there is in the ring. If you want to shop for wedding rings on a budget, go for a lower karat count.
Platinum
Platinum is a good alternative to gold if you’re allergic; it’s hypoallergenic. It’s also very durable, so you won’t have to worry about it losing its shape or shine.
However, this metal is more expensive. Do remember that you’ll be wearing this ring for a lifetime, so it may be worth spending a little more on.
Wood
If you don’t want to go down the traditional route and would like a natural feel to your wedding bands, consider wooden ones. These can look very elegant and you’ll always have a unique piece since all pieces of wood look different. Some can even be made to incorporate metals like titanium and Tungsten so you get a blended aesthetic.
The best part of getting wooden wedding bands is it doesn’t cost much! These types of rings only cost about $100, so your wedding budget won’t get eaten up. See more about wooden wedding bands at Alpine Rings.
Stones or No Stones?
By getting a plain wedding band, you can save on your expenses. If you want to add things like diamonds, sapphires, or emeralds, costs can vary widely depending on which gemstone you incorporate and how big it is.
Other Financial Considerations for Your Wedding
Wedding bands are just one part of the costs you need to factor in for your wedding. Here are some other ones you should think about.
Wedding Outfits
For the groom, he can rent a tux for around a few hundred dollars, which is simple enough. But for the bride, costs can vary, just like with the wedding bands.
Typically, brides buy their wedding dresses. For traditional white, lacey ones, expect to pay around $1,000. Designer bridal gowns price tags will range in the tens of thousands.
If you want to think outside the box and also save in the process, you can spend as little as $50 (or less!) if you buy a nice non-bridal dress that’s on sale. Thrift stores are great for picking up beautiful dresses for amazing prices.
Hair and Makeup
If the bride is well-versed in doing hair and makeup, then you’ll get to save a lot on this expense, since she’ll be able to take care of both by herself.
But if she wants to have her hair and makeup done professionally, that can cost up to $600. If her bridesmaids are joining in, then you’ll have to multiply that expense.
Venue
This is a factor that’ll can make or break your budget. If you decide to have your wedding in your local community, you may be able to rent out a venue for cheap, or even for free. Many town churches will let people get married in them for low prices, especially if one of the couple is a parishioner.
On the other hand, trying to book a popular hotspot can be difficult. Not only will it be significantly more expensive, but it may be booked for months in advance, maybe even years.
Officiant
The average rate of a wedding officiant is $300. If you book a religious officiant, there’s usually no set cost, but you’re expected to make a donation. Make sure it’s a couple hundred dollars.
If you need to book an officiant, do it as soon as you can. They’ll need time to plan, plus they may have a full schedule, so you want to be sure you can get the officiant you want ahead of time.
Photographer
Your wedding day will go by in a flash, so make sure you get a good photographer to catch all your treasured memories. A professional will cost you a couple thousand, with the best ones charging $10,000.
You can cut down on costs by hiring someone who’s practicing their photography skills, but be aware that results may not be optimal. This may be an area worth splurging in.
Florists
A wedding isn’t complete without flowers! This expense can cost a couple thousand; the amount will change depending on how many arrangements you need and how complex they are.
If your wedding is small enough, you can consider DIYing this part.
Reception, or No?
If you decide to have a wedding reception, expect your costs to go way up. Not only do you have to rent another venue, but you have to also get a caterer. If you rent a place with a dance floor, you’ll have to get a DJ and some bands too.
Plan Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke
Now that you know how much wedding bands cost and other financial aspects of your big day, maybe you can finally relax and breathe. While you still have a lot of planning to do, you can at least get a rough estimate of how much everything will cost and start saving now.
Need to do some wedding shopping? Then check out the stores at our mall.
