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.