Rings and Things... Colombia vs. USA

[Looking4Wife]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Dude..you are talking ab..., posted by Heat on Aug 29, 2005

Heat:

If $3k USD sounds "real high" to you, it might be helpful and instructional for all of us, to know what your proposed price breakdown would be for the same or similar Colombian wedding?

[Heat]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Dude..you are talkin..., posted by Looking4Wife on Aug 29, 2005

I know a friend who did a similar wedding for under $1200.

[MarkNJ]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Dude..you are ta..., posted by Heat on Aug 29, 2005

The Four Seasons or Motel 6?

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Dude..you are ta..., posted by Heat on Aug 29, 2005

[This message has been edited by Cali James]

3K sounds high if it's only the banquet but it's a a very good price if it's all inclusive.  For example, a beautiful wedding dress can cost easily $500 if not more depending on if it's custom made instead of off the rack.  What about the photographer and videographer, this could set you back another $500 or so it seems to me depending on the package you select.  Then you have things like the invitations, flowers and the church music.  And don't forget clothing rentals for people in the wedding party. Then there's other things like fees for using a church and if you have a Catholic wedding, it's customary to give the Priest a stipend (gift).  It all adds up and when the final bill comes in it could easily reach $3k.

[jediknight]

... in response to Dude..you are talking about Colombia......., posted by Cali James on Aug 29, 2005

$3000 includes EVERYTHING at the prado in barranquilla, its a steal and actually its more like $2500 but i'm thinking of renting an antique car to get us there, that's an extra $200, all in all this is dirt cheap for all that we are getting.
JK

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Dude..you are talking about ..., posted by jediknight on Aug 28, 2005


Heat, One can! One should, ALWAYS ask for a per plate cost! You can get price quotes. You can always check the receipts! You discuss & set a budget....Shop & Compare!

Easy enough to prevent a ripoff

[Hoda]

... in response to Dude..you are talking about Colombia......., posted by Heat on Aug 28, 2005


if you tell your wife, NOT to mention that her husband-to-be is from the U.S. or Canada...You WON'T get ripped off! Our reception was held at a very nice location just outside of Cali. The food, service and the ambiance...was second to none from all the wedding receptions that I have attended here in the U.S. at dayyum near 5 times the cost....

The "ripoff" in regards to paying for weddings is here, in the U.S.

[doombug]

... in response to And I promise...., posted by Hoda on Aug 28, 2005

"The 'ripoff' in regards to paying for weddings is here, in the U.S.

Abso-"gatdamn"-lutely!  

The average cost of putting on one of these "shows" (basically, that's what it's become: a huge, Hollywood-style production) tops $20,000.

Not counting the rings.

Such costly memories, especially considering the high divorce rate.

As it were, the KISS axiom--"Keep it simple, stupid"--seldom applies to marriage ceremonies.

[stefang]

... in response to Re: And I promise...., posted by doombug on Aug 28, 2005

Marriage in America starts your life of debt. With $20K+ for a wedding then all the other expenses from new home, furniture, cars etc.. I have watched friends marry and to appease the new wifey's dream of grand marriage wipe out their 401K's.

Of course we're rejects here and cheap at least that is what a lot of American women would say and probably some of these foreign women as well.

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: And I promise...., posted by stefang on Aug 28, 2005

"Of course we're rejects here and cheap at least that is what a lot of American women would say and probably some of these foreign women as well."

That's okay.

Some of us would rather adapt the practice of being cheap now than risk suffering a life of retirement broke and broken.

[Heat]

... in response to And I promise...., posted by Hoda on Aug 28, 2005

Unless the girl herself is making the extra cut.  Last gringo wedding I saw cost $5000 in Cali.  But in reality cost maybe $800 to $1000.

The bride put the money in her pocket.

That's the plan Stan.

[Hoda]

... in response to If she's not a green card shark., posted by Heat on Aug 28, 2005


She'll be getting as much bang for her buck, out of consideration for her man. Last wedding I saw/attended was at the Pacifico Hotel. The cost ran about 5k, because the groom insisted that it take place there!

The bride wanted to spend a whole lot less...

But he was the "Man"....so they went with his plan

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Dude..you are talking about Colombia......., posted by Heat on Aug 28, 2005

My wife handled all the arrangements for our wedding and you tell me if we got ripped off.

Reception with full meal, open bar, and live music for 100 people in Laureles, one of the best neighborhoods in Medellin. Hand-made dresses for the 5 flower girls and 5 bridesmaids along with tux rental for the corresponding 10 men. Antique limo ride from the church to the reception hall. Floral arrangements for the church and the hall. The cost? $1000 US dollars.

[jediknight]

... in response to Wedding in Colombia? Ripped off?, posted by utopiacowboy on Aug 28, 2005

what was the exhange rate back then? the way things are now it may well cost a bit more but the point is that it is still very very cheap. i'm looking at $3000 for 100 people, where here it would be 10X that.
JK

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Wedding in Colombia? Ripped off?, posted by jediknight on Aug 28, 2005

Those were the days when the peso was at 2900 or so to the dollar. I wonder if we'll see that again.