Red Alert!

Ever since I was in high school, these were the code words my best friends and I used before shocking one another with outlandish or highly humorous news or other information. So when you see this headline from now on– be prepared for anything!

There's going to be a wedding! No, not mine. Here's the Red Alert: According to my sources, the cost of this wedding currently is sitting at ±$40,000. Yes, you read that right. Now some of you elite types are probably saying to yourselves "That's not a big deal", but consider some of the facts:

As last I was informed, the groom's invitation list had been restricted to around 50. So, if we are to assume the bride's family has at least some sense of equality, that means the guest list is going to average 100-125.

If I throw out some ballpark numbers (most of which should be on the high side) we get:

Wedding gown: $1000
Photographer/Video: $2000
Reception Hall: $1000
Flowers: $1000
DJ: $750

Total: $5750

That leaves $34,500. Let's throw another $4500 out there for a limo and other sundries (cake, etc.). That leaves $30,000 for what... food for a hundred guests? Psst... that's $300 per plate!

Damn... I can't wait for this shindig! At $300 a plate, are you allowed seconds?

For perspective, here's what a little Internet research turned up:

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Engaged couples can expect to hear more than the "bling bling" bouncing off the bride-to-be's ring -- they'll also hear the ka-ching of the cash register as the average cost of a wedding soars to $26,327, according to a new survey. – May, 2005

I should note that the cost listed there includes the cost of the rings. I don't think the bride's family is paying for the rings in this case, but I could be wrong. Ahhh, the price of young love!