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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 2018)
Aff ordable bachelor and bachelorette party ideas Pulling out all the stops can be exciting, but there’s no guarantee these types of parties will be more enjoyable than simpler bachelor or bachelorette party. Taking steps to con- trol costs can help couples and their friends. Here are some aff ordable ideas that can be fun for all involved. • Bar or winery crawl: Partygoers typically want to enjoy a night out on the town, and traveling from one establish- ment to another can be a fun way to do just that. People can set themselves apart with a signature item (hat, T-shirt, or colored clothing), and make the rounds. • Attend a group event: Group events include sports, con- certs, theater shows or a night at a comedy club. Investigate discounted tickets for large groups. • Belt out the tunes: Open mic nights at restaurants, bars and other establishments around town may make for a fun way for friends to share a few laughs together. Participants need not be professional singers to join in on the festivities. • Camp out: Get in touch with nature by enjoying a camp- ing trip, complete with a fi re and a few brews. Spending time in the wilderness can restore focus and let stress melt away. • Poker or game night: Groups can gather around the poker table to test their skills in poker and other card games. With some free-fl owing beverages and snacks galore, games can get pretty animated. • Dinner party: Hire a chef to visit your house and pre- pare a meal for guests. Serve a signature cocktail and let the conversation fl ow. J ANUARY 2018 0 WEDDING GUIDE 0 11 Wedding costs: What to expect Newly engaged couples may experi- ence an array of emotions when they sit down to plan their weddings. Some couples cannot wait to jump into plan- ning and want to catalog every aspect of the process, while others may pro- ceed with caution because they don’t know what to expect — particularly in regard to cost. Many couples fi nd it diffi cult to cre- ate their wedding budgets because they have no previous experience to draw on. Th e wedding planning advisor CostofWedding.com indi- cates the average wedding cost in the United States is $26,720, with most people spending between $20,000 and $34,000. Seventh Heaven Event Cater- ing states that, in Canada, the average wedding costs around $30,000. Such costs can vary greatly depending on couples’ preferences, including where they hope to tie the knot. By breaking down wedding expens- es, couples can get a clearer picture of how much they may need to pay for their weddings and where they may need to cut costs. • Reception site: According to Th e Knot, a premiere wedding planning resource, couples can expect their re- ceptions to eat up the largest chunk of their wedding budgets. Wedding reception venues may cost between $10,000 and $15,000. Th e average price for catering per person is rough- ly $70. Bar service may be around $2,000 for a three- to four-hour par- ty. Some reception sites combine the room cost with the food and beverage costs, while others have à la carte fees. • Cake: Wedding cakes tend to be multitiered intricate designs, so they will cost more than birthday cakes. According to Statistics Brain, wedding dessert will come in around $390. • Music: Th e Knot says wedding bands cost around $3,500, which is more than twice as much as hiring a deejay ($1,200). Soloists or ceremony musicians may cost around $650. • Wedding planner: Many couples employ wedding planners to make planning their weddings easier. Wed- ding planners cost an average of $1,300, says Th umbtack, a company that matches professionals with peo- ple who require their services. • Transportation: Limousines and other transportation prices vary de- pending on the vehicle(s) couples choose. Th e Knot notes that budget- ing between $400 and $500 for trans- portation might be wise. • Wedding gown: Brides-to-be should expect their gowns to cost around $1,100 and the veil or head- piece to be roughly $120, according to the Association of Bridal Consultants. • Photography and Video: Pre- serving wedding day memories costs around $2,800 for video and photog- raphy services, based on data from Statistics Brain. Th e smaller details, such as accesso- ries, gift s, offi ciant fees, stationery, spa services and favors can quickly add up as well. Couples should be sure to leave some wiggle room in their bud- gets for incidental expenses that may pop up. — Metro Pop the question “I’m Charles Beaudet, one of the luckiest with a diamond rings that are unique for each couple men in the world. I help design wedding – elegant or playful, contemporary or classic. I’ve cultivated a deep knowledge of diamonds and all their qualities. We also offer a beautiful selection of Beaudet-designed bands and rings. “It’s my great pleasure to help couples with rings that will be treasured for years to come. Can I help you?” Evoke emotion 2849 Oak Street, Eugene, Ore. 541-484-6548 • beaudetjewelry.com
