Wedding Costs vs Horse Costs

It’s safe to say that nearly all equestrians size up purchases by comparing them to the cost of horse items.

“Wow! That water bill is a new pair of breeches!”

“He probably spent a vet visit on our date last night.”

“I wouldn’t pay a month’s board for that prom dress.”

The wedding industry (just like the horse industry) is notorious for packing a hefty price. So how do the two compare when matched up?

To put things in perspective, we are going to price out a wedding with 200 guests, six bridesmaids, and six groomsmen. On the other hand, we have a rider who has ridden for most of her life, yet has never showed. This rider has now decided to compete, so she is starting from scratch.

Here we go….

Wedding Item = Cost = Horsey Item

Shoes = $100 = Bridle accessories

Engagement photos = $170 = ECOGOLD non-slip pad

Bridesmaids gifts = $200 = Bridle

Groomsmen gifts = $200 = Paddock boots and half chaps

Save the dates = $500 = 15 lessons

Suits = $1,200 = Helmet, girth, breastplate or martingale

Dresses = $1,200 = Entry fee, stall, shavings, training fee

Invitations = $1,200 = Braiding, coggins, farrier, hotel

Photographer = $1,500 = Three months of boarding

Florist = $2,000 = Boots, shirt, jacket, crop, gloves

Dress = $2,000 = Tack box, grooming kit, supplements, feed, leather cleaner, shipping boots

Venue = $3,000 = New saddle and show pad

Caterer = $6,000 = Used horse trailer

Total: $19,275

That’s a lot of money that we scoop up with a pitch fork and dump in a pile. To a non-horse person it’s a waste, but to us it’s worth every penny.