Top 10 Things in Your Wedding Budget

When you start to plan your budget it can get kind of overwhelming…

There is so much to think about and pay for! This post is going to help you identify the Top 10 Things in Your Wedding Budget.

(Keep in mind, you can add or take away anything that doesn’t apply to you! This is just to help you get started on planning your budget. Every wedding is different so it’s okay if yours is not anything like this one.) 

deciding budget overall price

When you start to think about your overall budget amount, bring everyone who will be helping pay for / plan the wedding. This way everyone is on the same page and you will have a realistic budget to go off of.

(NOTE: don’t be afraid to talk to your family about money, often people want to help pay for things to make it the perfect day for you.) 

After you all feel that you have a realistic budget, take a break from your meeting and write out the percentages and amount for each category in your budget.

Once you do this, share your budget with everyone involved in helping!!! This will allow anyone helping you to be able to help you brainstorm on when will be contracted out and what will be DIYed, it will also help keep Aunt Susie from pressuring you to do something that is not within your budget!  

Budget Break Down

1.) Venue 40% 

Finding the perfect venue is hard ESPECIALLY finding the perfect venue within your budget..! 

But…. It is not impossible! 

There are so many small venues out there that are not well known but are absolutely stunning. It just might take a little while to find it. 

You can expect about 40% of your total budget to go to just the venue (I know that seems like a lot of your total budget but the perfect venue is worth it!) 

2.) Photography 15% 

This one can be tricky sometimes, there are good photographers out there that are significantly cheaper than others but often they don’t have the same number of reviews and experience the more expensive photographers do.

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I highly recommend going all out on this, photos last a lifetime and a good photographer will change your whole experience the day of your wedding! 

Check out these awesome tips on choosing your photographer

3.) Music 10%  

Music will largely vary on if you have a live performer, a whole band, or just a DJ. All are great options it just depends on what the mood is that you’re wanting to set for the night. 

Here are some tips on choosing your ceremony songs!

4.) Flowers 10% 

Do you love flowers? If your answer is “UMM… WHO DOESN’T???” than you can expect to use the whole amount that will be in your budget+ some.. 

Florals are a lot of money, many people underestimate just how much they will actually cost. 

(NOTE: When you meet with your florist for the first time be sure to give them the exact number that’s in your budget (Maybe even less than what your actual budget is.) so that way they can work with you to say in it. They will also be able to tell you if your wants are reasonable for your budget as well.) 

Check out this checklist for florals!

5.) Décor 10% 

This might seem like a weird thing to have in your budget but included in “Decor” is anything you make/ buy for your tables (Signs, Candles, Napkins, etc.), Rental chairs (If you choose to use some not provided by venue), Linens, lanterns for ceremony, Draping, etc. 

So as you can see, there Is A LOT that goes into this one item on your budget so make sure you don’t cut it down. 

This will help you choose your wedding decor!

6.) Attire 5% 

Attire will include everything you wear from garter to your shoes to your hairpins.  

Keep in mind the 5% in the line item is ONLY for the bride and groom. This does not include anyone else’s attire (Parents, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Kids, Officiant, etc.). 

7.) Transportation 3% 

Transportation is a HUGE struggle that people often have on the day of their wedding because the “Forgot” or “I didn’t think about it!”, don’t be that person that makes all of your guests have to uber from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. There are so many great options for transportation that will make your guest’s experience so much more enjoyable and they will feel very taken care of…  

8.) Stationary 3% 

When you think of stationery, you’re probably just thinking of the invitations… right?  

Yes, Invitations are a big part of this but there is a lot more to this than you would think!  

Included in this can be save the dates, formal invitations, place cards, menus, order of service (For ceremony) and a timeline if you choose to have that available for guests), and to finish everything off thank you cards! 

Here are some great stationery brands!

9.) Cake 2% 

Unless you’re a big cake fan chances are you wouldn’t even think about the cake until grandma asks what color it is…  

Wedding cakes can get VERY pricey!  

If you are not a big cake fan and don’t really care to spend 2% of your total budget on it, consider asking your caterer what dessert options they have and you can just get a small 6” cake for the two of you to cut if you want the tradition! 

Here is a list to give you an idea of how much a cake will cost depending on the amount of guests

10.) Favors 2% 

Nowadays this is an optional thing, I’d say about half of the weddings I do have favors and the other half do not. 

It’s entirely up to you if you decide to do this or not. Keep in mind the guests never expect to have a wedding favor at the end of the night, when they do receive one they are grateful but if they don’t your guests will never even tis about it. 

Here are some ideas for cute wedding favors

Let’s sum it up,

When you’re planning your budget just keep in mind that everything will change, you won’t spend as much as you thought on some things and you might spend more on others. 

This is a very basic budget, so when you are also thinking through your budget don’t forget to include catering, hair and makeup, and a videographer! 

This part of the planning process can be a little stressful, but don’t let the numbers overwhelm you!  

One step at a time.  

Feel free to leave a comment below I you have any questions or need help with anything, for real though, I’m a real human being and I love to help any way I can. 

Talk soon! London Wnek 

You can learn more about me and who I am here!