I recently saw an article that the average wedding these days costs $20,000.  I just got engaged 3 weeks ago.  We've started to put a budget together, and yup, it's hard just to keep it under $15,000.  The reception is the main part, so you're comment about the 'really nice reception,' good luck.  A budget checklist we found called out the reception as 50% of the entire costs of the wedding.  For about 180 people, we're looking at $10,000 just for the reception.  Good luck buddy, and trust me, I know all the stuff that's going through your head to start thinking about a wedding.  It's crazy!