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