Embarking on the journey to plan a wedding is a joyous occasion, but it often comes with the significant task of managing a budget. Setting and adhering to a wedding budget is not merely a financial strategy; it's a roadmap that paves the way for a beautiful celebration without the stress of overspending. As couples navigate the intricate details of venue choices, decor, and guest lists, a well-thought-out budget becomes the guiding force that ensures fiscal responsibility without compromising on the magic of the moment. In this guide, we'll explore practical tips and insights on how to establish a realistic wedding budget and, more importantly, how to stay committed to it. Because, as couples soon discover, a carefully managed budget is not just about financial discipline; it's about creating a memorable day that resonates with personal meaning and leaves a lasting impression without breaking the bank.
In this blog, we will talk about setting your budget. Sit down with your partner and anyone who might be contributing financially to your wedding, and figure out exactly how much money you are able to spend. Money isn’t always easy to discuss, but it will be good practice for your marriage. Talk hard numbers. Find out exactly how much you have to work with, and write that number down. This should help you determine how much you should spend in each of the planning categories.
Below, we've created a list of the main wedding planning catigories. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it should give you an idea of how many parts go into a typical wedding. We will list the percentage of the budget that we recommend portioning towards that aspect, and why that is. However, the standard wedding doesn’t have to be your wedding. The best thing to do is decide which of these is high on your priority list and then focus your funds on those areas. At the same time, the areas that aren’t as important to you are excellent opportunities to save money in your overall budget. For instance, if you commit to going DIY with your flowers and decor, that might give you the extra funds needed to get the right dress or venue, even if they were initially outside your range. Now, on to the list!
Venue: 30% of the budget. The most significant part of your budget should go to your venue. This is the cost of renting the actual space. Some venues package venue and catering together, so the rental price may appear smaller. Be careful because these venues may charge more for catering than a stand-alone caterer. Often it will even itself out, but do the numbers carefully because you may pay more overall.
Catering: 25% of the budget. This number is estimated by plate. You must multiply it by the number of people at your wedding to get an actual cost. It includes the cost of the food, non-alcoholic beverages, and service staff. It often does not include the cost of alcohol or dessert. Many venues and caterers have bartending and dessert packages available. Other options for dessert are to DIY it or have it handled by the bakery making your cake. The average cost of catering is $25-$50 per person.
Wedding Attire: 5-10% of the budget. This includes the bride's wedding dress, groom's attire, and accessories. ‘The Dress’ is always at the forefront, but the groom’s attire also matters. You should also decide if you will assist your wedding party with your budget. It is typically expected for party members to buy their own attire, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you want all your bridesmaids to wear the same shoes, you may wish to purchase them yourself to ensure they are all the same.
Photography and Videography: 10-15% of the budget. This includes hiring a professional photographer to capture your special day. Ask your photographer if they have packages that include a second shooter or a videographer. Having a second photographer, while more expensive, is recommended as it can help ensure that every moment is captured. It will also take some stress off your timeline because you can take portraits of both the bride and groom simultaneously during the photo sessions. Often a videographer will need to be hired separately. Couples may turn down the videographer to save money. However, the ability to go back and enjoy the day again is an option that many couples appreciate. Many photographers have packages that include the engagement photo shoot, the printing of photo albums, and maybe even a drone to capture unique aerial shots of your wedding. The critical thing to do here is to decide what moments are important to you and determine which type of photography will best capture them.
Decor and Flowers: 10-15% of the budget. This covers the cost of floral arrangements, centerpieces, ceremony decor, and other decorative elements. In many cases, this is an area where couples can do things themselves to save money. Ordering flowers from bulk warehouses, picking them up from a flower shop, and handling the decoration aspect on your own can be cheaper than hiring a full florist. That being said, keep in mind that hiring a professional to put everything together can take a lot of stress off your day, especially if there are many moving parts during the venue setup. Your family and friends may be willing to help put things together, but if you have a complicated centerpiece, hiring someone with the skills to put it together could be worth it.
Wedding Planner or Coordinator: 5-10% of the budget. Wedding planning is stressful. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made (like all of the ones listed here), and oftentimes couples don’t even know they need to make them. Which napkin fold do you want? What song do you want to end the evening on? Planners can help take a lot of stress out of the process and often know the best professionals in the business. They can direct you to the right locations based on your budget, and can help you navigate all the tiny details you didn’t know existed. However, planners can be expensive, and with help from the internet, it is becoming easier to plan your wedding yourself. The one thing you can’t do yourself is put it all together. You simply can’t put the final touches on the decor, while getting into your wedding dress. That’s where coordinators like ourselves come in! We take all the planning you’ve done and put it into action. Wedding coordinators tend to be more budget-friendly compared to planners since their scope of services is limited to just before the wedding, making them a cost-effective option for couples who prefer to handle the majority of the planning themselves. That said, there is a middle ground; certain coordinators, like us, may offer assistance in the planning process for less than an actual planner!
Entertainment: 5-10% of the budget. This includes music, such as a live band or DJ, and other entertainment options such as a photo booth rental, a traveling petting zoo, or any other type of entertainment you might want to provide for your guests. Both live music and DJ are wonderful additions to any party, but they tend to accomplish different things. A DJ can make the reception (and particularly the dancing) the highlights of the evening. A live musician or band is great for a more relaxed and classy setting. Figure out what what kind of setting you desire, then do a little research to find the best fit for your wedding. Photo booths, magic mirrors, various lawn games, and even live performers are other types of entertainment you may want to consider while putting together your budget.Â
Stationery: 2-5% of the budget. This covers invitations, save-the-dates, programs, menus, signs telling people where to go, and other stationery items. While some of these items have shifted online in recent years, many of these items are still done in hand. Websites like vistaprint, basic invite, and zazzle, offer an easy and budget friendly way to print most anything you need. They also have options where they will address the envelopes for you, saving you the headache of either handwriting them, or figuring out the label setting on your printer. The only downside is that the free to use designs can be limited. Calligraphers offer beautiful custom signs and prints, but can be a little more pricy. It all depends on what matters to you. While we do recommend sending out physical invitations to your guest list, a good way to save money and time here is to have your guests RSVP to your wedding website. You can even create a QR code for your RSVP page, and place it directly on your invite! This eliminates the need for an RSVP card alltogether, thus saving you more money.
Cake and Desserts: 2-5% of the budget. This includes the wedding cake and any additional desserts or sweets. If a wedding cake is a must-have, consider opting for a smaller display cake and supplementing with a sheet cake to serve to your guests. Another money-saving option is to explore local bakeries or talented home bakers who can create customized cakes at a fraction of the cost charged by fancy wedding cake designers. Alternatively, think beyond the traditional cake and consider a dessert bar or buffet with a variety of sweet treats. Cupcakes, cookies, macarons, and even donuts can be delightful alternatives that add a unique touch to your celebration while being budget-friendly. Finally, don't be afraid to DIY! If you or someone close to you has a knack for baking, consider making your own desserts or enlisting the help of family and friends. Remember, a delicious and visually appealing dessert spread can be achieved without breaking the bank, so be resourceful and savor the sweet savings!
Wedding Rings: 2-5% of the budget. This accounts for the cost of engagement and wedding rings for the couple. The most important rule with rings is to set your budget and stick to it! Don't be swayed by flashy marketing tactics or societal pressures to splurge on an extravagant ring. Instead, focus on what truly matters: finding a ring that symbolizes your love and commitment, while staying in your budget. Look for reputable jewelers or online retailers that offer a range of affordable options. Consider alternative gemstones or metal choices that can be just as beautiful but at a fraction of the cost. Don't shy away from pre-owned or vintage rings either—they can be stunning and come with a more budget-friendly price tag. Remember, it's the love behind the ring that truly matters, so keep your priorities in check and choose wisely.
Miscellaneous Expenses: 2-5% of the budget. This includes transportation, hotel blocks, favors, wedding party gifts, marriage license fees, tips for your vendors, and any additional miscellaneous costs. These are really easy to overlook, but can be critical in certain situations. Whether it’s chartering a bus to help your extended family get back to the hotel safely, picking out the right gifts for each member of the wedding party, or the fee at the courthouse where the paperwork is completed, don’t leave these items out of your budget!
Hopefully this guide has been helpful. Do you have any questions about budgeting? Leave a comment and we’ll try to answer as best as we can. Want to bring us along while planning your wedding? Send us a message and we'll see how we can help!
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