by: Lauren

Recently here on ELD, we talked about the truth of what weddings really cost. Since then, I’ve also spoken to quite a few brides who weren’t sure about how to create their wedding budgets.  So to continue our discussion about what wedding costs and budgets,  I thought we could chat more about wedding budgets in general- because you’re not expected to know what things should cost, right? (I know I had no clue, and had no one to tell me!)

Wedding Budget 101 via TheELD.com

I started off with what weddings really cost because there is a big issue in wedding planning, and it all stems from couples not knowing what to *expect* things to cost. When you don’t know what a budget and price range for one of your vendors is, you can’t plan well. When you can’t plan for the correct and accurate amount to allot to a vendor or service, then all of your other vendors suffer too. For example- you allow for $10,000 for your flowers and decor, but then you only have $2,000 left in your budget- and you still need a DJ, photographer, videographer, and limo. So then, you’ve committed to $10,000, but have to lower it to $2,000 to afford all of the other services that you need for your wedding. And then your vision of a wedding with $10,000 decor is going to be stuck in your mind already, and when you see your wedding with $2,000 decor, you’re going to be a little disappointed. (Now this is a little bit extreme, but something similar has indeed happened to me in my previous life as a wedding designer.)

So how do you avoid encountering this issue? You create your wedding budget based on percentages of your total budget. The following are my recommendations for the percentages you should be allotting for the major areas of your budget.

Wedding Budget 101 via TheELD.com 

WEDDING BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

Reception-Venue & Food: 45%

Photography & Videography: 18%

Florals & Decor: 15%*

Planner: 10%

Paper goods: 6%

Entertainment: 4%

Miscellaneous: 2%**

*Sometimes part of this budget is included in the reception budget, depending on your linens and rentals

**Includes all other vendors that are not listed above!

Note: The above areas are by no means ALL of what is needed for a wedding or what is required, but they are a good general starting point and rule of thumb. Please also refer to other budget recommendations to determine the perfect budget formula for you and your wedding.

Wedding Budget 101 via TheELD.com

I have created an Excel spreadsheet that contains formulas that work with these percentages. Click above to access the spreadsheet! 

Once you have these percentages figured out for your budget, you can then adjust everything according to what matters more to you and add in other things that you need. Do you want a wedding that has fabulous design and decor with some awesome photography, but don’t really care much about the venue? Spend less on your venue and food, and transfer over more “percentage” for the things you really want. Give a little and take a little.

If you want to stick to your budget, it definitely helps to have guidelines, especially so you’re not dreaming up things you can’t have. When inquiring with vendors, maybe even ask them what their average bride spends with them. Chances are, they definitely know, and it’s better to ask them outright instead of avoiding the money topic and wasting your and the vendor’s time. (I know I myself would rather have had brides ask me that right away.) Bottom line- do your research and plan ahead! [Or, you could just get a wedding planner, have he or she help you with it all, and then not have to worry about any of it. ;)]

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Want more info on wedding budgets?

Wedding Budget 101 via TheELD.com

 

A version of this post was originally published on October 28, 2010
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Wedding Budget 101 via TheELD.com

Lauren

Founder & Editor at Every Last Detail
Lauren Grove is the editor and owner of Every Last Detail. A clueless bride-turned-wedding planner, Lauren uses her experiences and knowledge to educate and inspire brides all over the world.

12 responses to Wedding Budget 101

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  1. Diana

    great advice. as a wedding vendor it always helps when we know what a bride is comfortable spending. though we can’t just rattle off a price for flowers as prices change and there are so many options. we generally give a range and ask for as many details as possible from a bride first. we are disappointed when we go from a $10,000 job to a $2,000 job too.

  2. Anonymous

    Great advice, Lauren! :) ♥

  3. Stephanie Haller

    Great advice.

    As a photog and budget bride, finding a photographer who can make your budget wedding look like a million bucks is worth its weight in gold. Our wedding budget was under 5k – and you never would have been able to tell by our pictures. :)

  4. Jamie

    So much to learn about what all I should expect for my wedding. Sometimes overwhelming, but I’m glad there are sites like this one that help me to better understand what the norms are. Hate to admit it, but cannot wait till all is said and done!

  5. Gem Limo (a Vendor)

    Having a budget for your wedding makes things a lot easier for the bride and groom and the vendors. When our clients come to use with a clear budget of what they want to spend on their wedding limo, it makes it much easier for us to provide them with realistic options for their big day.

  6. Sasha (a Bride)

    Thank you for the spreadsheet, having got engaged last July I am finally beginning to plan the day, after being overwhelmed with how much there is involved with planning a wedding!

    My budget is very small, at about $13,000 but we would like to have an intimate affair with no more than 15 people, so I hope it is possible. Just one thing to note- It would be great to have a section for attire on the spresdsheet, as that is a necessity for all brides I would imagine! Out of interest, what percentage would you suggest for bride & groom’s attire?

  7. Amanda - Amanda Douglas Events (a Vendor)

    I always find the thing that I do the must with brides is educate them. Most have never been married before so they really don’t know who’s who, what’s what and where to even start with planning their budget. The first thing we do is talk through their expectations and dreams and then I set it all in a realistic budget. Sometimes it has a big sticker shock effect, sometimes it’s just a relief to see it all down on paper and to really know how it all works.

  8. Ashley McCormick (a Vendor)

    Love this!! So glad to see the photography is more than 10%, that’s always what I’ve seen on other blogs. I love that this is realistic! Thanks Lauren for being awesome :)

  9. Wedding Invitations by Tango Design (a Vendor)

    I think this is a good breakdown of general expenses and I agree with the ‘give a little, take a little’ approach too. For those who are good organizers, a planner may not be needed, but if you’re not adept at planning events, a planner can save headaches AND help ensure you stick to your budget (Believe it or not, they aren’t just about trying to get you to spend more money.)

    I’d also like to see information about how to source quality suppliers. They are the ones who charge a fair rate, give great service and will not run away with a deposit and never be seen again. It’s worth noting, that a fair rate is usually not the cheapest and for the brides.

    “Quality suppliers do not hear the word ‘wedding’ and add 20-50% extra. That’s because they hear the word ‘wedding’ every day and have a price list for everyone to see. Remember, for the most part, you are asking for people to create something special, just for you. You’re not buying off-the-shelf, mass produced goods, so expect to pay more for that personalized service.”

  10. James (a Vendor)

    Your allotment for the entertainment is FAR too low. Entertainment is more important than photography, florals/decor, and a planner.

    If your vendors (DJ, venue, caterer, & photographer) are experienced and qualified then they should be able to coordinate (usually through the DJ) a wedding night.

    So why is the entertainment/DJ more important? According to brides and guests entertainment is the most memorable part of a wedding. In fact, most brides wish they had spent more on their entertainment. This was all published in St. Louis Bride & Groom.

    If the people aren’t smiling and having a good time then that’s what the photographer is going to capture. If the DJ is doing their job, and people are having a good time that is what the photographer will capture.

    Decorations are remembered as pretty or not noticed… Unless something is really ugly. But honestly, guests don’t remember the exact flowers or chair covers at the wedding. Now, does it help with pictures? Sure, but people will still remember more about how they felt vs how the decorations looked.

    I’m in no way suggesting that any of these categories I’m saying you have too high aren’t important. They are just not as important as the entertainment. Also, just like being a good photographer is not an easily acquired skill, the same goes for DJs too.

    I say this as both a professionally educated musician/DJ and photographer.

  11. Breanna Luckett (a Bride)

    What about the Wedding Dress?

    • Lauren

      @Breanna, I consider the wedding dress as a separate expense from the full wedding budget because there is such a wide range of potential prices depending on the designer, dress, and of course the bride’s preference.

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