Wedding Budget: Essentials
The wedding budget is the most essential organizational item a couple can have when planning a wedding. It allows you to map out your entire wedding by category giving price point for each one. When visiting vendors, venues, etc. you’ll be able to make decisions more readily available at your price point allowing easy and swift purchases and the vendor to have its product already laid out for you before you get there.Let’s look at some of the budget essentials that all weddings will require:
1. Venue/Catering:
a. Ceremony – Will you have your ceremony in a church, outdoors? The Ceremony is usually about 3% of your total budget.
b. Reception – This is the big one. The reception takes up about %48 percent of your total budget. So when searching, make sure you are getting all you can get for the money you are spending. Also decide whether or not catering will be included with the venue or if you would prefer and outside caterer. Outside catering is usually an extra cost at most venues.
2. Photographer/Videographer:
a. Photography is one the most essential vendor purchases for your wedding. Usually covering 8% of your budget. It ensures you will have endless memories that will last a lifetime. Most couples feel they can air on the lower budget side for their photographer but my professional suggestion would be to invest in a good quality photographer even if it means you have to cut your budget in other places.
b. RESEARCH is a necessity. Check references. Have them gear there portfolio viewing to the photography you are interested in and also have them include ideas they think you may like. If you’re looking for candid photography you definitely don’t want to waste your time looking through glamour shots.
c. How do you want your photos delivered, a photo CD, Prints, or a Hardcopy photo book?d. Also consider film as it gives a different memory for your wedding. Request ruff unedited version for laughs.
3. Music/DJ:
a. Usually costing 4% of total budget. When making decisions on what to have at your wedding (Live, DJ, Both) remember that live bands tend to cost more than a DJ. You want to do research on your DJ too. Even consider seeing the DJ or Band live in action. It will allow you to see what they can do for your wedding and what kind of ambiance they will set. Also consider whether or not you want your DJ to be your emcee for the night.
a. Wedding license/other documents
b. Wedding efficient
5. Get a planner budget and use it. Have a checklist handy for the things you NEED to have for each essential vendor.
A Great Tip to End With:
Allocate a last minute budget: I'd suggest having an extra 500-800 available to use the week of the wedding for any miscellaneous expenses that come up last minute. If you don’t use it keep it for the honeymoon.
These are just some of the budget breakdown. A great thing to have is a budget planner to keep track of all of your expenses and also a place to keep your contracts and receipts. You can also find some great budget calculators online.
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