A Wedding Vendor Reveals Why Weddings Are Expensive

No matter where they're getting married or how large their budget is, one thought inevitably goes through every bride- and groom-to-be's mind: Why are weddings so expensive?

In a video posted by Vox last Thursday, wedding videographer Johnny Harris seeks to answer that million-dollar question. He admits that vendors do tend to charge more for weddings than, say, a "family event" or corporate party of equal size. But then he lays out some pretty reasonable explanations for the price jump. For one, couples have never planned a wedding before and don't really know what a reasonable price is. Vendors are also usually reluctant to name their prices up front, preferring to wait until they learn more about the wedding and then provide a sales pitch and an estimate.

Perhaps most importantly, though, is the fact that weddings are "once in a lifetime" events. This translates into higher expectations from couples, which translates into more work for vendors.

The takeaway? Harris encourages couples to ask potential vendors for prices before hearing a sales pitch. Watch the entire video above for more fascinating insights into the factors that contribute to the cost of a wedding. 

Even if you've chosen to save money on some aspects of the wedding, certain areas are definitely worth the splurge. Find out which wedding elements are worth the extra expense in order to throw an unforgettable party.