When Dave Sigler proposed to Michelle Case, he knew he was taking on a greater emotional responsibility than he’d ever known.

But both had another, somewhat unexpected, responsibility besides spending Christmases at her parents and learning the names of his grandparents: The process of financing the wedding of their dreams.

Weddings — something dear to the hearts of many college students — are becoming a big business. The average cost of a domestic wedding last year was nearly $16,000.

Wedding expert Judson J. McKim advises couples in his latest book, “The Formal Wedding,” to “select the items you want for your wedding, write these items down and set opposite them the probable cost of each. See how the total compares with the amount you decide to spend on the wedding.”

Costs pop up everywhere. Even churches can contribute to the expense.

“Our ceremony was at First Assembly of God Church in Des Moines,” said Lecia Chambers, a senior in elementary education. She married Bill Chambers, a senior in transportation and logistics, on Nov. 23. “There were rental fees to use materials like candelabras and for the sound man and other accessories. The cost was just under $100.”

Decorating the church can be as costly or as simplistic as the couple makes it. The Chambers’ were able to save money by making their own decorations and the bride designed her own unity candle.

Case, a travel agent at AAA Travel Agency, doesn’t have to worry about decorating the church. “The church will already be decorated for Christmas, since our wedding is Dec. 28,” she said.

Her fiancee, a junior in finance, said that while the church itself will be decorated, the cost of flowers added up rather quickly. “One of our biggest expenses is for flowers for everyone involved. We have to get them for the wedding party, parents, grandparents, attendants and everyone else that is helping out.”

Using silk flowers rather than real flowers is one way that the Chambers’ saved money on their wedding.

There is also paperwork which has to be completed before the couple can take that trip down the aisle. “The bride and groom and a witness must go together to the courthouse at least three business days before the wedding to get their marriage license,” Michelle said. She said there is a $30 fee.

Since she and her fiancee are getting married in a Catholic Church, Case said there is added preparation.

Once the location has been set, the next expense is outfitting the wedding party. One of the most prominent pieces in the wedding picture is the bride’s all-important gown. Besides being a traditional focal point of the wedding, the gown can be a major purchase. Michelle’s dress, for example, set her back $525.

At Classique Bride in Ames, dress prices range anywhere from $400 to $1,200. “Our average is probably $600,” said bridal consultant Melanie Bretey.

Along with the bride, the bridesmaids and groomsmen also need outfitting. Bridesmaids dresses cost about $180.

Michelle was able to save precious pennies when it came to dressing her bridesmaids. “The bridesmaid dresses were made. My mom was a seamstress.”

Men generally rent their tuxedos. Bretey said they can be rented from her shop for $54, $62 or $68, depending on the style.

Bill Chambers said the men in his wedding were able to rent theirs for $62, unless they needed shoes. With shoe rental included, the cost was $70.

Two of Case’s largest expenses will come from her reception: the food, at $800, and the deejay, at $525. Her reception is being held at the Legion Hall in Arcadia. It costs $100 to rent the hall.

Judy O’Brien, of Judy’s Catering, said a reception meal is becoming as commonplace as the reception itself. “People attending weddings are expecting meals. In this area, it’s a norm.” She said the average wedding meal will cost between $5.95 and $7.95 per person.

There were a few ways that the Chambers’ were able to cut the cost of their reception. “We did all of the table decorations at the reception,” Lecia Chambers said.