Dream Home vs Dream Wedding: Making the Right Choice for Your Future

For many young couples, planning a future together includes preparing for a wedding ceremony. A wedding extravaganza allows you to have a fairytale day when everything is perfect and launches your future together as a couple. A wedding with all the trimmings comes with a big price tag, but it’s worth it–Right? Maybe, but for some couples, the money that would be spent on a large ceremony could go to better use as a down payment on a home.

When calculating the cost of a wedding, many couples realize the final tally is strikingly similar to the average cost of a down payment on a home. Massachusetts is the fourth most expensive U.S. state for a wedding, with the cost averaging around $37,700 for the ceremony and reception. This amount could provide you with a 10% down payment on a $370.000 home. While it seems like the most practical decision would be to automatically invest in a home, practicality doesn’t always have a place in decisions of the heart. When it comes to choosing between a big wedding and a down payment, there are no easy answers. The dilemma is even illustrated on the Netflix show Mortgage or Marriage, which follows 10 couples making the complicated choice with “assistance” from a real estate agent and a wedding planner. While you probably don’t need professionals pulling you in two different directions, weighing the pros and cons of a dream wedding vs a dream home can help you make the best decision for your future.

Dream Wedding

Fairy tales, tradition, family expectations: There are a lot of ideas and feelings that go into the life-long culmination of The Big Day. A wedding ceremony is more than a party. It’s a celebration of the commitment a couple makes to spend a lifetime together. If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding for years, skipping the wedding or even planning a more modest ceremony might not be an option. Consider these pros and cons of splurging on a big wedding.

Pros

• You can create your fairy tale for a day.
• Your parents may give you the money for a big ceremony.
• A wedding ceremony is the first event you’ll plan together as a couple.
• You’ll get to throw the biggest party of the year before you begin spending responsibly.
• You may regret it if you skip the wedding you’ve been dreaming of.
• You’re not ready to buy a home.

Cons

• You’ll blow all your savings in one day.
• Rental payments can feel like wasted money.
• A smaller ceremony can provide the wedding you need and leave some savings in the bank.

Instant. Simple. Smart We Make Insurance Easy

Instant. Simple. Smart
We Make Insurance Easy

Find Out How Much You Can Save Today

Take the first step towards peace of mind with LoPriore’s team. Experience tailored insurance solutions that fit your lifestyle and budget. Get your free, no-obligation quote today and see the difference expertise makes!

Get your Free Quote

Dream Home

The housing market is thriving, and starting your life together in your dream home is likely a goal you don’t want to put off. For many couples, a dream wedding doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair. Instead, you could have an intimate ceremony or put the wedding off for a few years while enjoying life together in your new home. Examine these pros and cons of skipping the big wedding in favor of spending the money on a down payment.

Pros

• You won’t miss out on your dream house if you’ve already found a home you love.
• Saving for a wedding in the future will be easier when you’re not facing the uncertainty of renting.
• A home is an investment.
• You’re not interested in a big wedding.
• Marketing conditions are favorable.
• You have savings for a down payment and good credit.

Cons

• Relatives may not be willing to give money if you’re not using it for a wedding.
• You’ll regret it if you don’t have a big wedding.
• You’re planning to move soon, which means a home won’t be a practical investment.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between a Dream Home and a Dream Wedding

Not all decisions are based on practical thinking and budgeting. Getting married is one of the biggest events in the lifetime of any couple. It’s a day that changes your life and your first step into the future together. While investing in a home is a responsible decision, it’s also not one to take lightly. You’ll want to consider the responsibilities of homeownership and what each of you wants. The decision between spending your savings on a home down payment or a big wedding is an individual choice that can only come down to the wishes of the couple. When making your decision, consider these things.

Neither Choice is Final

Whether you decide to pursue homeownership or a big wedding bash, you can still plan to reach your other goal in the future. For instance, it’s not uncommon for couples to marry without a big ceremony. If you already have your eye on your dream home, you can use your savings for a down payment and plan to have the big ceremony a few years down the road. Alternately, if your heart is set on the big ceremony that will begin your life of wedded bliss, you can create a budget that includes a savings account for your down payment.

You Might Be Able to Have Both

Dreaming big is fun, but you may not need the most luxurious house or every extravagant detail that’s included in a big wedding package. Have a serious discussion as a couple to determine what you really want in a home and what you can live happily without. Cutting wedding costs while still having a moderate ceremony is possible as well. For instance, choosing a modest venue or even having the ceremony on a weekday can trim a significant amount of venue costs. Using virtual invitations is environmentally friendly and will save you hundreds by avoiding paper invitations.

It Pays to Expect the Unexpected

Whether you’re buying your first home or planning the biggest event of your life, unexpected events occur. Although you’ve been planning your wedding for months, a single illness or a weather event could make moving forward with the ceremony impossible. Conversely, a new home can come with a variety of (welcome or unwelcome) surprises. Insurance coverage provides you with a way to recover from the costs of unexpected events beyond your control. A lot of time and money goes into the personalized elements of any wedding ceremony. Protecting your investment in the big day with special event insurance can help you ensure you’ll recoup a portion of the money you’ve already invested in securing the venue and hiring caterers and entertainment. For most people, a home is the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Every homeowner should take the opportunity to purchase home insurance coverage that protects the value of your home and your possessions.

LoPriore Insurance Agency is a full-service independent insurance agency serving residents and business owners in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and the surrounding areas. We provide our customers with a variety of personalized insurance policies designed to fit your lifestyle. No matter what your plans for the future include, we can help you protect them with customized plans that meet your needs and your budget.