YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
Social Networking, Wedding Style

You want to have the wedding you have always dreamed of, but one critical component to begin with is creating a realistic wedding budget.

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You will want to determine who will pay for what, how much you really need and also how you will make the payments. Savvy brides and grooms are also interested in finding creative ways to maximize their wedding budget and not break the bank! Here are some helpful tips on stretching your wedding budget and getting started in the process.

Who’s Paying?
Traditionally, the family of the bride is responsible for paying for all wedding-related expenses. This trend has certainly changed in recent years and many options are being implemented now. You will want to sit down with both sets of parents and have a very frank discussion on the type of wedding you want and ask them what they are willing to contribute to the cost. Some are willing to pay for it all or in part. Whatever amount they are able to provide is a blessing and should be greatly appreciated! Here are some of the various ways weddings are being paid for.


-Parents (of bride or groom or both) contribute a set amount. Some parents want to just write a check for a set amount to go into a wedding fund that is to be used at the engaged couple’s discretion for wedding expenses. This gives you the most flexibility and control over how the money is spent.


-Parents can agree to pay for a certain aspect of the wedding. It could be the church, the flowers, the photographer or the engagement party. When this is done, parents may want to be a bit more involved and assist with the planning and distribution of their contribution.
-Bride and Groom pay for it all. You can take a year to save up or pay as you go in order to avoid large credit card balances right after the wedding. You have complete control over how your wedding budget is spent and can dictate how much you spend in each area.

How Much Do You Need?
Depending on the geographical area you are living in, you could spend $75-300 per guest! It is a good guideline to allow for 50% of the expenditure per guest on the wedding and reception and the rest on everything else, including invitations and thank you cards. There are many ways to save money when planning a wedding. The best way to save is to hire an experienced Wedding Planner who can guide you to the best vendors within your budget and, possibly, pass along vendor discounts he or she receives. Many couples have found the fee of hiring a planner was well worth it once they added up the time and financial savings they actualized.

Budget Breakdown
Here is a guideline on how much to expect to set aside in each category. You can certainly make adjustments to the budget by spending less in one area and moving that money to another area that may require more of your budget based on your preferences. Also, it is imperative to keep track of the actual amount that you spend in each area as you contract each vendor. Your goal is to minimize over-spending and maximize your budget.


Ceremony-3% (officiant fees, location rental, marriage license etc)

Reception-48% (food, alcohol, linens, décor, china, stemware, lighting etc)

Attire-10% (dress, veil, shoes, makeup, hair styling etc)

Rings-3% (engagement and wedding bands, engraving and sizing)

Flowers-8% (flowers for ceremony and reception, including delivery, set up and tear down)

Music-8% (ceremony music, reception dj or band)

Photography/Videography-12% (including all prints, copies and albums- engagement session and wedding coverage)

Transportation-3% (limo, classic car, horse carriage for the wedding party)

Stationary-3% (save-the-dates, invitations, menu cards, name cards, thank you cards, calligraphy, postage etc)

Miscellaneous/Gifts-3% (Bridal party gifts, wedding website, miscellaneous expenses)

Getting connected with the best vendors your budget will allow for is the best way to stretch your wedding budget. The Wedding Café Online is your premier resource for matching yourself with the most knowledgeable vendors in your area. Happy Planning!!

Sylvia Harris Douglas is a wedding coordinator in Columbus Ohio and owner of A Wedding By Sylvia