Here’s Where It’s Cheaper To Buy A House Than Have A Wedding And The Verdict On Charlotte
Some people dream of getting married. Others dream of buying a house. A large number want both. But, it turns out that’s a tough ask. Many have to decide…mortgage or marriage North Carolina? Which is more doable in the Tar Heel State.
It’s a shame that these days something as simple as getting married and buying a home are increasingly out of reach for many hard working couples. But, getting married and having a wedding are two different things now aren’t they? The simple act of saying, “I do” is really not expensive. It’s the party associated with it that ramps up the price tag.
So, let’s see which is more doable for the Tar Heel State as we look at a recent study…mortgage or marriage North Carolina? Which will it be? According to Zoocasa, places across the U.S. have different outcomes when you do the math.
Mortgage Or Marriage The Average Costs Of Both
And, wedding experts estimated the average cost of weddings last year at right around $35,000. Plus, the costs keep rising each year by the thousands. The National Association of Realtors puts the median single family home price at slightly above $420,000.
So, the Zoocasa study crunched the numbers across 80 cities using this data and estimating the cities’ housing costs taking into account an 8% down payment for first time home buyers. And, here’s how it all stacks up including Charlotte, North Carolina.
The study estimates in 47 of 80 cities analyzed, the down payment on a home was lower than the average cost of a wedding. So…that’s sort of good news for home ownership, I guess. More than half? But it’s still not great.
Mortgage Or Marriage North Carolina And The Numbers In Charlotte
So, when it comes to mortgage or marriage North Carolina…here’s how it stacks up. The median single family home price is $423,700. That equates to a down payment of $33,896. And, the average cost of a wedding in North Carolina is $31,000. So, it can be cheaper to get married than buy a house in North Carolina.
The study analyzed wedding costs in specific cities for the top 20…but used wedding costs for the state for the remaining 60, including North Carolina. So, you may not be able to get married specifically in Charlotte for that number. But, there’s tons of beautiful places in the state that offer perfect places to say, “I do.”
In the top 5 cities on the list, home ownership is cheaper than a wedding. Those spots include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas-Fort Worth. So, weigh your options and make compromises where you can if you really want both goals. Which will it be…mortgage or marriage North Carolina? See the whole list in the full study and congrats on working toward your dreams!
Ditching Tradition: A Look At 'Anti-Wedding' Trends
Ditching White Gowns
While most conventional wedding dresses feature white dresses with trains, a new trend has hit the scene. Many soon-to-be brides are opting for dresses with pops of color or even daring to wear the color black. Google Trends had high searches for “black wedding dress” over the past 12 months, CNN reported. In fall 2021 specifically, “black wedding dress” was searched more times than “white wedding dress” on Google. Another traditional gown switch-up is not wearing a gown at all and wearing a suit, or a romper.
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Swapping Veils For Dramatic Capes
More brides are saying goodbye to veils and going to wedding capes. Some brides just don’t find veils to be a comfortable accessory. It can easily be removed without destroying your hair and is perfect for chilly weather. We can’t forget to mention that it adds a majestic timeless feel.
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Quiet Receptions
Keeping it casual is a very bold and anti-wedding move. You can just gather your friends after an elopement and head to a restaurant to celebrate. The key to this is to make restaurant accommodations in advance and to make sure the food tastes good. You don’t want your family and friends to leave disappointed.
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Non-Wedding Activities
You may have been seeing this a lot more at weddings. People are ditching the first dance, cake-cutting, and speeches. Some people are taking a didn’t approach to the typical wedding program and stepping outside of the box. If you’re more into the idea of having board games, forming your own newlywed band performance, or non-conventional forms of activities, you should go for it.
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Minimal Decor
One anti-wedding trend that could save you some coin is scaling back on decorations. There’s always the pressure of making your wedding Instagram-worthy. But with anti-weddings, this isn’t the case. Think low-key set-up with cozy seating with an at-home feel. Some people even go as far as not having chairs at their outdoor ceremony, trading them in for blankets.
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The Chosen Ones Guest List
Keeping your guest list small is another anti-wedding trend to look into. Think about it, the more people mean a bigger venue, more food, higher costs, and higher expectations. A smaller wedding and reception makes it more intimate. It also gives you more options when it comes to budget.
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The Aisle Walk
Some people may dream of recreating the scene from Father of the Bride, but not the anti-bride. Anti-weddings often consist of walking down the aisle solo, with your pet, your mom, both parents, your soon-to-be Mr. or Mrs., or anyone other than your father. The big moment where you truly shine on your wedding day is your processional or the start of the ceremony. It’s the first time your guests and maybe even your soon-to-be spouse, will see you in your big-day attire. So, why not do it the way that you want?
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