Super Easy Steps To Creating Your Wedding Budget

Creating your perfect wedding starts by crafting a well-thought-out wedding budget. The task of creating a wedding budget might seem completely overwhelming and stressful but by using our clear-cut wedding budget guide you will be on your way to creating your perfect day. The most important piece of information for creating a budget is to know the wedding budget breakdown and see where you will be spending your money.

There is really no typical wedding budget anymore.

Wedding Budget Breakdown

A wedding is a large-scale event so with that comes many different areas where cost becomes a factor. A couple should look at every different area where they could be spending their funds so it is not enough to just have one dollar amount in mind that you are going to spend. A much better tactic is to break out the cost as separate line items so you can see where you are allocating funds and what those costs might be.

• On average most couples will need to allocate 50% of their budget to their reception, considering that includes the venue cost, catering, and bar cost along with decorations.
• After the venue cost the next largest expense typically belongs to the photography and videography department, taking up 12% to 15% of the overall budget.
• Next up in line for cost consumption would be attire, flowers, and entertainment reach consuming somewhere between 8-12% of the budget.
• After these larger areas of cost couples can spend smaller amounts, typically between 2-5% on items such as stationery. The ceremony, transportation, rings, gift, etc…

One of the best tips we received from a Brooklyn based bride, Kerry was that she put aside 5% of her total budget for “just in case”.

“I knew there was a very real chance that I would need some extra funds or that as the big day drew closer I would need to add some extra funds to one area of the wedding so I wanted to make sure I had a little extra ready to go”. – Kerry – Married In Brooklyn, NY

There are many resources out there that can help you create the perfect budget and taking advantage of the available resources and technology is one great way to make sure you stay on task and budget.

How To Set A Wedding Budget

So, it’s pretty clear why you need a budget when planning your wedding. However, how to set a wedding budget is a different task. The earlier in the process you set your wedding budget the better off you will be. Wedding planner, Gayle of Events By Gayle suggests

“There are many helpful budget trackers for weddings that can be found online. Print one out and start filling it out the best you can. It is very important to start the planning process with a budget and work backward from there. A great wedding planner can also help a couple with their budget since they are familiar with what the local vendors charge for their product or service.”

Meghan from Meghan Elizabeth Events shared some great insight on how she helps couples focus on where they want to spend their funds.

“In addition to figuring out their spending comfort zone, they should discuss what elements of the day and experience are most important to them. If music and dancing is most important, maybe they allocate more for the band and trim somewhere else. Is there a photographer they’ve been following for a while that they just have to have capture the day? This will help tremendously when it comes to where to spend their money.”

Wedding planning is a huge and somewhat stressful job and just like anything else, there are some mistakes you will want to avoid when planning your wedding budget. A few mistakes you will want to watch out for are things such as not doing your research, not keeping track of your expenses, or committing to a vendor before knowing all of the cost.

• Mistake #1: Not Doing Your Research
  Research is key in making your budget actually work for you and not against you. Doing your research means knowing the cost of particular details such as venues, photographers, catering companies, and so on. Make sure you spend time reading reviews about the vendors and knowing exactly what they will be charging you.
• Mistake #2: Not Keeping Track Of Your Expenses
  It might sound like a no brainer to keep track of your expenses but all too often couples get very excited about planning their big day and they start booking items, purchasing decor or order items, and not keep track. With so many options to keep track of your budget available online and with phone apps, it seems crazy not to start keeping track ASAP.
• Mistake #3: Committing To A Vendor Before Knowing All The Cost
  You see the venue and you are totally taken and you want to sign the contract right now so you can get your perfect day however unless you know all of the cost associated with a vendor you should take your time. Many times a couple wants to book a specific venue or vendor and they don’t take the time to really go through all the details of the contract, ask questions and get the specifics about what the cost will be, when the payments need to made and are there any charges that could come up that are not stated in the contract.

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Ways To Track Wedding Expenses

Thanks to the wonderful world of technology, it is now easier than ever to track where and how you are using your wedding funds. Having a budget is important, but if you don’t keep a close eye on where those funds are being spent, it is easy to get off track. Utilizing a key wedding budget spreadsheet can help you monitor expenses, stay organized, and ensure that you’re staying within your budgetary limits.

“There are many helpful budget trackers for weddings that can be found online. Print one out and start filling it out the best you can. It is very important to start the planning process with a budget and work backwards from there. A great wedding planner can also help a couple with their budget since they are familiar with what the local vendors charge for their product or service. “Gayle of Events By Gayle

It seems almost every online wedding site has a budget and tracker tool available so it is not as much about how to find a tracker but finding the one that works best for you. Some online trackers are as simple as a spreadsheet template where you can print it out and start filling it in while some are very advanced and allow you to have complete access online offering ways to customize your categories, color code areas, and more.

Here are a few of the best rated online wedding budget tools:

• Wedding Wire
• The Knot
• Mint

Wedding Budget Calculator

The wedding price calculator is the surest bet to ensure you’re on track. That makes a total of 100%.

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Download and print for free!

Simply create a wedding budget outline and group similar items together. Find their average cost, subtract it from your total budget and work out the percentage. Everything must sum up to 100%

Work with the average industry figures, because prices change depending on season and location. Better to have some cash than run into debt.

Hidden Wedding Costs

No matter how well you plan or how on a budget you are with your wedding planning there will always be some hidden costs or costs that pop up last minute.

“Service charges, extra catering staff, corkage fees, disposal fees – these are catering costs that the couple may not think about when planning a wedding. When planning a tented wedding, it may be necessary to purchase a separate tent for the caterer, flooring and/or a dance floor, air conditioning, fans or heaters depending on the season.” – Gayle of Event By Gayle

“Tipping is something that often gets left out of the initial budget. Generally vendors who you would tip in everyday life, like beauty services and food servers, should be tipped for a wedding. For other vendors, tipping is never expected but always appreciated. So many of my couples want to thank their vendors for their hard work with a tip so to avoid that additional cost on the wedding day I suggest including gratuities in their initial budget planning and then adjust as necessary on the wedding day.” – Meghan from Meghan Elizabeth Events

There are several hidden cost areas that couples should pay special attention to so they don’t go over budget. Working with a planner who is not associated with the venue is a good way to make sure all of your costs are being handled since it is their job to advocate for you. Here is a list of some areas where cost might hide.

1. Vendor Tips
2. Catering fees – Corking fees, clean up fees, and extra staff charges
3. Additional rental charges – dance floor, air conditioning or heat, vendor prep tents, and more

Wedding Ideas on a Budget

Here are some wedding ideas to help you stay within your budget:

• Off-Peak Timing: Consider getting married during less popular months or days of the week, as venues often offer lower rates during these times.
• DIY Decor: Get creative and make your own decorations, such as centerpieces, signage, and favors, to save on costs.
• Venue Selection: Look for affordable venue options such as parks, community centers, or even a friend or family member’s backyard.
• Digital Invitations: Save on printing and postage costs by sending out digital invitations instead of traditional paper ones.
• Simple Catering: Opt for buffet-style or food stations instead of a sit-down meal, and consider serving affordable yet delicious options like pasta dishes or BBQ.
• Minimalist Attire: Shop for wedding attire during sales, consider renting or borrowing dresses and suits, or opt for simpler styles that are more budget-friendly.
• Limited Guest List: Keep your guest list small to reduce overall costs, and focus on inviting only close friends and family members.
• BYOB Bar: Instead of hiring a bartender or purchasing alcohol through a caterer, consider having a “bring your own booze” (BYOB) bar where guests can bring their own drinks.
• Non-Traditional Entertainment: Instead of hiring expensive DJs or bands, consider creating your own wedding playlist or hiring a local musician or student band for entertainment.
• Personalized Touches: Incorporate meaningful DIY touches and personal details into your wedding day to make it unique and memorable without breaking the bank.

Real Wedding Budget Examples

Budgets and weddings vary with individuals and what they want. It’s a day most couples dreamt of for years. Now, it’s here and couples want to make it count. There’s a wedding for every budget, even with a wedding on a budget checklist. Below are real wedding budget examples going by the average wedding industry standard. See what works for you.

$2000 Basic wedding budget for a small wedding

1. The venue of 6 guests with an officiant for 30 mins slot – $150
2. Attire for bride and groom – $300
3. 1-hour ceremony photography and portraits – $800
4. Lunch and drinks in a restaurant for 8 – $600

A traditional wedding with a budget of $20,000

1. Full catering service + wedding venue for 55 guests – $12,000
2. Photography – $2000
3. A week off planner – $2000
4. Wedding invitations – $800
5. Bride and groom attires – $1000
6. DJ – $1000
7. Decor and flowers – $1,200

Formal wedding + reception with a budget of $30,000

1. Church or venue fee-based $350
2. Wedding planner fee – $2500
3. Full service for reception + venue for 140 guests – $16,000
4. Wedding flowers – $2,500
5. Videos and photos – $4,000
6. Bride and groom attire – $1600
7. Band – $3000

Getaway wedding budget with $31,000

1. Destination venue for the whole weekend – $6,000
2. Friday welcome potluck for 5 people – $800
3. Breakfast and lunch on Saturday – $3,000
4. Bride and groom attire – $800
5. String quartet for the ceremony – $500
6. DJ for the reception – $1100
7. Full catering service coverage for Saturday night – $10,000
8. Wedding decor and flowers – $3000
9. Photography – $2500
10. Brunch for Sunday – $2000

Your wedding is a true celebration of love so it should be nothing short of amazing. Making sure your perfect day goes off without a hitch depends on many factors but most importantly careful planning and good budgeting.

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