Weddings - the guests pay dearly too

Many people dread getting more than three wedding invitations for the year as the cost of an all out glamorous do can be greater than you bargained for. It's a misconception that the bride and groom have all the expenses, because "must haves" like the guest's gown, suit, shoes and the visit to the salon will definitely be a huge bite out of the pocket. And note that most wedding invitations come in December, the season when you're already spending for Christmas and the New Year.

For the male guest, he has to think about the cost of the suit or the tuxedo, shoes, shirt and a trim and shave. For the female, the gown or dress can go as high as $20,000, with a low of $5,000 in many good stores. She has to also consider handbag and shoes, jewellery, whether costume or real; petrol, if the wedding is out of town, manicure/pedicure and hairdo. Rental of a man's suit (off the rack) can go from $2,500 for the day, while the purchase of a tailor-made outfit could run up to $15,000. The trim and shave costs between $250-$500 for a mini facial, a good pair of shoes cost between $2,000 and $4,000 and the cheapest dress shirt, depending on the material could set you back $1,000 or so.

Of course, females pay more.

"I remember when I was maid of honour at my sister's wedding six months go", Sharon Findlay recalls, "my gown alone cost $10,000 and the satin shoes had to be dyed to match that shade of green. Overall I ended up paying $1,800 for a pair of white dress shoes and $600 to have it dyed." Manicure, pedicure and facial, came to $1,500 with her spending $1,500 at her hairdressers for a hairdo. Other items like a handbag to match the shoes cost $500 and a faux-pearl jewellery set cost $2,000.

Note that if the ceremony is out of town, you'll also need to include the price of a tank of petrol or other transportation costs.

Carole Stewart of Elegant Weddings, Southdale Plaza in Kingston, says that dresses there range from $4,800-$11,000. The store currently has a special on regular men's suits for $5,000 and a rental special from $2,800-$4,000. To buy a full tuxedo which includes the shirt, tie and cuff links will cost between $12,000-$17,000.

Added to all this is the price of the gift ­ arguably the most important aspect. A perennial guest will always be on the lookout for the perfect gift, because there's no way you can politely attend a wedding and partake of all offered without bearing gifts. Being a family member of the bride or groom can cost you a bit more that the other guests. It is a tradition that the bride's father most times has to give donations towards the success of the reception, a sort of semi-dowry, while the mother has to help with the gown, and other family members have to help out in ensuring, for example that the couple's home is ready for occupancy. Many times, a monetary value cannot be ascertained, and in this situation, a tangible gift-wrapped package isn't necessary. The bridesmaids however can all chip in to buy one gift for the couple. Ms. Stewart advises that the best gifts are things like crystals and household items which can help the married couple build a home.

But there could be a problem here, as miscommunication could make the situation a bit tricky.

Gone are the days when a simple toaster or a microwave oven would do. As more and people are marrying after living together for a while, enter into second marriages or enter into the union with previous household assets, new methods of gift giving are appearing. No one wants to end up getting six toasters while lacking silverware from clueless guests who may not be aware of the couple's needs.

That's where bridal registries come in.

Registry

Many couples opt for bridal registries as a means of ensuring that the gifts they get are those that they want. Not only does the registry give guests a chance to share in your day but it limits the number of duplicate or unusable gifts you will receive. And they're not now what they used to be. Many registries nowadays offer dinner service, china and flatware, crystal, bedlinen and paintings. Some couples opt for cash or gift certificates, contributions to a joint savings account, travel coupons or items of furniture.

Bridal registries like those at Victoria Mutual Building Society(VMBS) and Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) allow guests to make donations to the couple's savings account, helping the couple to accumulate funds for their future home or other goals. At JNBS, couples may register for the Bridal Registry at any branch. Guests may then visit to make a donation to the couple's registry account. At VMBS, the same is done, guests can either lodge donations to an existing account, or purchase a gift certificate which is presented to the couple. The money goes towards home building, improvement, buying land or securing other assets that the couple may need later on.

Bridal registries are also available at stores like Azan's (some branches), and Innovative Sales. Innovative Sales Gift Centre and Bridal Registry, offer bridal registries with gifts ranging from $900-$20,000. They supply perfect gifts of cutlery, bathroom and bedroom supplies, china, household gifts such as towels, sheets sets, pots, pans, and plates among other things.

The good thing about bridal registries is that the bride would have already pre-selected the things she needs and the guest can go all out in ensuring that she gets it.

Others opt to simply write a cheque out to the couple. However, there is always the risk that the sum may be sniffed at as being 'too little bit' Such people can end up spending lots more than others who opt for a gift wrapped package.

A note on cost-saving is to mix and match if you become a wedding butterfly. One suggestion is, if you have two weddings in the same parish and one in another, you can wear the same outfit in two different parishes. Chances are that you won't meet the same guests twice. But then again you never know.

Back to Business