BUDGET BREAKDOWN

It’s important to determine who is contributing to the wedding cost and how much you have to spend from day one. “Expensive” and “Stressful” might be two things that come to mind when you think of wedding budget planning, but they don’t have to be. No matter your budget, with the right planning, organization, and budgeting tips this process can be as easy as saying “I Do.”

GUEST LIST: Like it or not, each person you invite has a price tag. From catering, alcohol, cake, stationery, rentals, and flowers, each person you invite plays a role in these costs. Obviously there is a catering, drink and cake slice cost, but also consider tables, chairs, linens and centerpieces for these extra seats. Each person will also require a save-the-date, a wedding invitation, RSVP and the stamp to mail it. These things seem small, but they really do add up.

DATE + TIME: Saturday weddings will always be the most expensive day of the week. If you are looking to cut back costs on your venue, try picking a Friday or Sunday. You could also consider the time of day you host your wedding. A brunch or afternoon reception is less expensive on catering than a formal evening dinner.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES: If a wedding planner is not in the budget, consider a day of coordinator that is about half of the cost. Instead of a grooms cake, can your grandmother make your fiance’s favorite pie and create a DIY pie bar? Get creative when you can, but the last thing you want is a #pinterestfail, so be smart and know when its time to leave it to the professionals. Do not ruin your big day to save a few bucks. WEDDING STYLE: The more casual the affair, the less expensive your overall design will need to be. A rustic themed wedding in a barn can easily get away with BBQ or a food truck. A glamourous formal affair, not so much. Consider your style when thinking about budget.

RECONSIDER DIY: Today, more than ever brides love to handcraft their wedding details. However, in terms of budget, keep in mind that the DIY is not always the least expensive, especially when a project requires you to buy tools or supplies that can only be bought in bulk.

So many times we see brides that want to buy their own linens online, only to later realize the quality is not the same, the time and frustration to steam them before the wedding and the cost to clean them after. By the time you went through all of the headache, you are only saving a few bucks (maybe) and then you are left with a pile of linens you will never end up using again.

The same frustrations are seen when buying bigger rental pieces, DIY silk flowers, DIY invitations, centerpieces and more. Think about all of the steps before you consider DIYing or buying things yourself. In the end you could be spending the same if not more. Also, you may realize the time and stress is not worth the few extra dollars.

Before you start creating your budget, you will need to figure out who will be contributing. Those who pay will also have a say in how much you have to spend. In modern society, a lot of couples are paying out of pocket for their own wedding. However, there are many brides who like the idea of a traditional wedding budget where families are also involved. Below is the budget breakdown for both the bride and groom’s families traditional expenses.

BRIDES SIDE

• Reception cost such as venue, food, beverage, decorations, rentals, and music

• Wedding Planner or Day of Coordinator

• Bride’s dress, veil and accessories

• Bride’s hair and makeup

• Stationery (invitations, announcements, postage, thank you notes, wedding programs, other paper elements)

• Photographer and Videographer

• Ceremony costs: Music, officiants, rentals, decor etc • Floral arrangements for ceremony and reception, bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girl and groom’s boutonniere

• Transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception

• Groom’s wedding ring

• Bridesmaid and other bridal party gifts • Wedding gift for the groom • All tips (waitstaff, band or DJ, photographer, parking attendants, etc.)

• Bridesmaid luncheon

GROOMS SIDE

• Bride’s rings and wedding bands

• Alcohol for the reception

• Honeymoon, including transportation to airport

• Wedding gift for the bride • Marriage license

• Groomsman gifts • Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men (other than the groom), and corsages for mothers and grandmothers

• Officiant’s fee

• Groom’s attire

• Travel and lodging expenses for groom’s parents

• Rehearsal dinner

• Wedding gift for the newlyweds • Bachelor’s party

THINK TWICE

CHEAPER PHOTOGRAPHER: If you need to cut your budget somewhere, the last place you want to do it on is your photography. The amateur photographer friend or the lady who got a camera for Christmas and now says she is a wedding photographer may take great photos, but a professional wedding photographer will know the exact details to capture, proper lighting for your venue, and know how to maximize their shooting time around a wedding schedule. These images will be all that you have to look back on your wedding day, so make the investment!

NO PLANNER OR COORDINATOR: Your family and friends have looked forward to the day that you walked down the aisle and the last thing you want to do is take that moment from them by adding the stress of also being your wedding planner. If a full wedding planner is not in your budget, make room at minimal for a Day Of Coordinator. A Day of Coordinator will help with vendors, setting up your wedding, make sure that your wedding runs smoothly and handle any issues that arise. This will help ensure that you and your family and friends can enjoy the day stress free.