Budgeting
The tough part of all this planning and preparation is most definitely the budget and figuring out how much you need to put aside for what because let’s face it, running out if money mid-decor certainly isn’t an option. But not to worry, we’ll help you, starting with a couple of essential questions you need to ask yourself:
Who pays for what
How much do you actually need for your wedding?
Planning a wedding is much like allocating your monthly savings, you need to decide what it is that you really want then set money aside for those essentials. Then the left over money can be allocated to the rest. First determine exactly what your dream wedding would look like and what you would need in order for that to look like. Start from the top and work your way down according to importance and write it all down and roughly determine how much each of those would cost and carry on from there.
How much should you save for the wedding?
An idea would be to implement your saving program the day you get engaged. Start small and it’ll start to get easier as you go. Start by eating in rather that at a restaurant, have coffee at home rather than buying one before work, pack lunch to work instead of buying a meal, do something outdoors at no cost rather than something that will cost you money and lastly you can work out a monthly food budget and decide how much you’ll have to spend then stick to that amount every month.
Basic breakdown of expenses:
Reception: 48%–50%
Ceremony: 2%–3%
Attire: 8%–10%
Flowers: 8%–10%
Entertainment/Music: 8%–10%
Photography/Videography: 10%–12%
Stationery: 2%–3%
Wedding Rings: 2%–3%
Parking/Transportation: 2%–3%
Gifts: 2%–3%
Miscellaneous: 8%
Just-in-case: 5%
Budget for your honeymoon before anything else too.
Budgeting tips
- Have an intimate bridal party
- Have a small, limited guest list
- Use flowers that are in season
- Try keep everything really simple
- Consider alternative arrangements
- Choose a naturally beautiful venue
- Use a cash bar and provide wine
The tough part of all this planning and preparation is most definitely the budget and figuring out how much you need to put aside for what because let’s face it, running out if money mid-decor certainly isn’t an option. But not to worry, we’ll help you, starting with a couple of essential questions you need to ask yourself:
Prewedding Parties
- Bride’s or groom’s family plans and hosts the engagement party.
- Groom’s family plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner.
- Maid of honor and bridesmaids host the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
- Best man and groomsmen host the bachelor party.
Reception
- Bride and family pay for all professional services, including food and decorations.
- Groom’s family pays for the DJ or band and liquor.
Rings
- Bride and/or her family pay for the groom’s ring.
- Groom and/or his family pay for both of the bride’s rings.
Stationery
- Bride and family pay for invitations, announcements and wedding programs.
Transportation
- Bride and family pay for transportation of the wedding party to and from the ceremony and reception.
Financials
Ceremony
- Bride and family pay for church or synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.
- Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant fee.
Wedding Attire
- Bride and family pay for bride’s dress, veil, accessories and trousseau.
- Groom and family pay for the groom’s tux and the rest of his outfit.
Flowers and Decorations
- Bride and family pay for floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls.
- Groom and family pay for the bride’s bouquet and boutonnieres for men.
Honeymoon
- Groom and family pay for the complete honeymoon.
Photography
- Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and the video.