Budgeting For Your Wedding
Does the idea of budgeting for your wedding scare you and you don't know where to start? Every couple will have their own ideas, dreams, traditions you want to follow, and thoughts relating to your wedding day, so expect to negotiate compromises as you head towards your wedding day.
Which ever way you decide, the reality is that you will need to plan and stick to a budget.
Two of the first big decisions you will need to consider are:
It's a good idea to start to keep record of your budget for each item.
To get you started listed below are some items common for most weddings and the percentage of the budget usually allowed for them.
For items you are not going to use you will save that percentage of your budget or it can be added to things important to you.
30% - The highest cost for most weddings is the reception so allow approximately 30% of your budget for this.
15% - Clothing comes in next (wedding dress, suits, shoes, lingerie, accessories) at 15% 11% - Photography (photos, video, albums) 10% - Honeymoon (venue, transport, pet kennel fees) 5% - Rings (purchase, engraving, ring pillows) 5% - Flowers (bouquets, table center piece arrangements, venue decorations, corsages) 5% - Entertainment (bands, dj, sound systems, roving entertainers) 4% - Stationery (save the date, invitations, RSVP, thank you notes) 3% - Ceremony (venue, marriage license, celebrant fees) 3% - Gifts (attendants, parents in law) 2% - Grooming (hair, makeup, spa treatments) 2% - Transport (wedding cars, guest shuttles) 5% - Incidentals (build in a fail safe for emergencies).
Recording your expected and actual costs will assist you keeping within your budget, and allow you to track how you are traveling.
Which ever way you decide, the reality is that you will need to plan and stick to a budget.
Two of the first big decisions you will need to consider are:
- how much money you have, or want to spend on your wedding, and
- who will be paying
- (traditional role of parents paying, or do you prefer to pay for your wedding yourselves)
It's a good idea to start to keep record of your budget for each item.
To get you started listed below are some items common for most weddings and the percentage of the budget usually allowed for them.
For items you are not going to use you will save that percentage of your budget or it can be added to things important to you.
30% - The highest cost for most weddings is the reception so allow approximately 30% of your budget for this.
15% - Clothing comes in next (wedding dress, suits, shoes, lingerie, accessories) at 15% 11% - Photography (photos, video, albums) 10% - Honeymoon (venue, transport, pet kennel fees) 5% - Rings (purchase, engraving, ring pillows) 5% - Flowers (bouquets, table center piece arrangements, venue decorations, corsages) 5% - Entertainment (bands, dj, sound systems, roving entertainers) 4% - Stationery (save the date, invitations, RSVP, thank you notes) 3% - Ceremony (venue, marriage license, celebrant fees) 3% - Gifts (attendants, parents in law) 2% - Grooming (hair, makeup, spa treatments) 2% - Transport (wedding cars, guest shuttles) 5% - Incidentals (build in a fail safe for emergencies).
Recording your expected and actual costs will assist you keeping within your budget, and allow you to track how you are traveling.
