Setting your wedding budget can seem like a daunting task. Where do you begin, how much do you need and where will you find it?! Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Who’s Got The Money? While it’s very common for the couple to contribute to, or even pay for their wedding, it’s a good idea to talk to your families about what they might contribute. While talking about money might be uncomfortable, you’ll save misunderstandings later by confronting it head on – and early. If you are worried about hurt feelings, you might start by talking about what you and your fiance can afford to do and ask parents to contribute for anything beyond that – including guests they might want invited at a per person rate. Don’t forget to factor more than just the meal for each guest; each guest equates to a meal, linen, decor, and other costs. You might also want to start by discussing who traditionally covers each cost to see if that is something your families are comfortable with contributing.
The Bride and family
- Ceremony venue fees
- Wedding gown and accessories
- Flowers for ceremony and reception decor
- Bridesmaids flowers
- Photography
- Videography
- DJ services
- Engagement party
- Groom’s wedding band
- Invitations
- Limo
The Groom and family
- Marriage license
- Officiant’s fee
- Tuxedo
- Bride’s flowers
- Boutonnieres for groomsmen
- Corsages for honored female relatives
- Honeymoon
- Rehearsal dinner
- Bride’s engagement ring and wedding band
Prioritize what’s important
Once you have determined the total resources available, you should prioritize where you’ll spend it. You and your guests will spend the most time of your wedding day at your reception, so most couples prioritize their wedding reception. It’s said that your guests will remember the food and entertainment. After the wedding, you’ll have your memories and your wedding photography and videography so be sure to budget accordingly. Once you have a list of everything that you want for your wedding day, you can decide which areas should receive a larger amount of the budget based upon your priorities. If incredible reception centerpieces are a priority, are you willing to spend less on chair covers? If you want a draw dropping gown, can you forego custom engraved wedding invitations? Those decisions are unique to each couple.
Start saving and tracking
It’s a good idea to open a separate savings account for wedding expenses, especially one that earns interest. Final payments are not usually due until the weeks before the wedding so you might as well earn something while you wait! Having a separate account that you regularly contribute to and pay from will also help you to keep track of expenses. If you will use credit for your wedding expenses, try to use one that will give you miles towards your honeymoon or cash back rewards.
