Wedding Budget Basics
Wedding Budget
The first thing when beginning to plan your wedding is to create a budget. Starting early and getting pricing from various vendors, venues and stores, you can keep within your budget!
Getting your ceremony and reception venue booked early is important as many venues are booked months if not well over a year out.
Purchasing your dress and attendants’ dresses several months before the big day is very important; especially if you need alterations or to order in a special size or design.
Choose a theme, such as elegant, formal, country, etc so that you have focus when finding or making your decorations and floral elements.
Do you want to add elements to the ceremony such as unity sand, time capsule box, planting a tree in memoriam of those who’ve passed on, etc? If so, these take special planning with your officiant and additional items to be purchased.
Is your ceremony and reception indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, be sure you have a backup plan for inclement weather such as a tent or canopy’s. If on state park lands be sure to check on the needed permits and regulations.
Reception
Food __________________
Drinks __________________
Cake __________________
Location Fee __________________
Service Fee (wait staff, bartenders, valet) ______________________
Rentals (tables, chairs, etc.) ____________________
Decorations (other than floral) ______________________
Other: _____________________
Total for Reception: ____________________
Attire
Bridal Dress ___________________
Tuxedos ___________________
Headpiece, Veil __________________
Jewelry (other than wedding rings) ___________________
Shoes __________________
Garter __________________
Accessories __________________
Other: _________
Total for Attire: _________
Photography/Videography
Photographer ___________________
Videographer ___________________
Albums ____________________
Other: __________________
Total for Photography/Videography: ____________
Music
DJ's _____________________
Band/Musicians for the Ceremony ___________________
Band/Musicians for the Reception ___________________
Other: ___________________
Total for Music: __________________
Miscellaneous
Marriage License _________________
Taxes _________________
Tips _________________
Other: __________________
Total Miscellaneous: ___________________
Floral/Decorations
Bouquets __________________
Boutonnieres __________________
Corsages for the Mothers ____________________
Ceremony Flowers ______________________
Reception Flowers, Table Centerpieces ____________________
Cake Table ___________________
Other: __________________
Total Floral/Decorations: ___________________
Stationery
Announcements ___________________
Wedding Invitations ___________________
RSVP Cards ___________________
Thank You Cards ___________________
Stamps ___________________
Reception Napkins ____________________
Other: ____________________
Total Stationery: _____________________
Rings
Bride's Wedding Ring ____________________
Groom's Wedding Ring ___________________
Total Rings: __________________
Transportation
Transportation to the Ceremony ___________________
Transportation to the Reception _____________________
Guests Transportation _____________________
(Trolleys, Vans, Buses) _____________________
Other: _____________________
Total Transportation: _____________________
Gifts
Wedding Favors ____________________
Gifts for the Bridesmaids _____________________
Gifts for the Groomsmen _____________________
Gifts for the Parents _______________________
Gifts for Each Other _____________________
Other: _____________________
Total Gifts: ____________________
Ceremony
Ceremony Location Fees _____________________
Officiant's Fee or Donation ______________________
Other: _____________________
Total Ceremony: _______________________