How Much Iconic TV Weddings Would Cost in The Real World
Posted on: 05/08/2021
Seeing two of our favorite television characters tie the knot on-screen can be an exciting moment. In fact, we are sometimes more emotionally invested in fictional ceremonies than we are real ones.
Looking past the characters, storylines, and several hitches on the day, have you ever wondered how much the spectacle would cost couples in the real world? Well, we found out for you.
We researched elements such as venue, wedding rings, catering, wedding outfits and “extra” expenses of five iconic fictional weddings, from Friends to EastEnders, and calculated the cost of each factor in the real world. Additionally, we worked out how much time it would take the happy pair to repay the full amount based on the characters’ real-world salaries and realistic monthly contributions to a wedding fund.
Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big – Sex and the City
Unsurprisingly, financier John James Preston (better known as Mr. Big) and successful author and fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw would have the largest wedding day bill overall. Their big day would cost a whopping $181,365 (£130,900) in the real world, a massive amount considering Mr. Big ended up leaving Carrie at the altar the first time around.
Carrie Bradshaw also had the most expensive wedding gown overall: the iconic Vivienne Westwood designer dress she wore for their first wedding would have cost $25,275 (£18,504.46) in real life.
Monica and Chandler – Friends:
Friends’ Monica and Chandler would have spent $62,950 (£45,434) on their big day at the Pierre Hotel in NYC.
We know, Chandler had a secret stash (somehow). However, just based on their real-life salaries, would the two would be able to afford it in real life?
The answer is yes, with a combined income of $180,000 (£129,879) for their Head Chef and Data Analyst jobs. Their wedding would take the longest time to get paid off, though, based on a realistic wedding fund monthly contribution of $2,498 (£1,800) for two years.
Mick and Linda Carter – EastEnders:
Tying the knot on New Year’s Day, after a whole lot of drama, Mick and Linda Carter would have spent £20,243 on their country manor wedding in real life. With a joint monthly income of £53,630 (and a monthly contribution of £1,134), it would have taken the pair 1.5 years to pay off the cost of the wedding.
Mick would have spent the least amount of money for his outfit, as the pink dressing gown he got married in would cost just £20.50 in the real world!
Jim and Pam – The Office (US)
Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly, the beloved TV couple from The Office (US), had the most sensible wedding day bill overall, spending just $1,483.20 (£1,085.89) on their big day at Niagara Falls. This included the scenic boat trip where they sneakily tied the knot before the official ceremony, their only “extra” expense, which is also relatively cheap considering it would cost just $44.50 (£32.10) in the real world.
With their combined salary of $74,123.95 (£54,268), they could comfortably pay off their big day in six months’ time.
Jake and Amy – Brooklyn 99
The most modest television wedding ceremony would definitely be Brooklyn 99’s Jake and Amy. Unfortunately for the couple, this was not by choice, but due to a criminal seeking revenge on Sargent Amy Santiago by planting a bomb at their wedding venue. Unable get the event space evacuated on time, Jake and Amy had to ditch the original plans for a budget wedding at the police precinct, which cost just $876 (£632.25).
Thankfully, a loophole in their wedding insurance allowed the happy couple to get a full refund for the costs of the bigger wedding they had planned and couldn’t have.
Whether you’re looking to go (Mr.) Big with your wedding plans like Carrie Bradshaw, or are keeping things low key like Jake and Amy, look through our selection of wedding rings to ensure you have everything you need for your big day.