WEDDING BUDGET PLANNING
Expenses to factor into your wedding budget and suggestions to consider adding to your list!
Setting a wedding budget is challenging. Couples often struggle to determine how much to spend, and allocating amounts for specific needs can be difficult. Many end up overspending at the last minute, making the wedding costlier than expected. My brides have frequently raised budget-related questions, prompting me to create this checklist of wedding costs.
Checklist: Wedding Budget Tips
Before creating your wedding costs list, consider the contributions from others and their preferences for fund allocation.
It's smart to know your budget before shopping or selecting wedding vendors. By discussing your priorities—be it food, music, decorations, or photography—you can create a budget that reflects your investment in essential wedding services.
This will assist you in identifying the budget percentage for a specific purpose. Conducting some market research to understand the price ranges for DJs, photographers, or catering costs for food will prevent you from being taken by surprise when engaging with wedding vendors. Be sure to allocate 10% to 15% of your budget for unexpected expenses that may occur during the wedding planning process.
1 - Suit - Dress Budget
I've combined the couple's attire in this section. This encompasses the veil, shawl, and bridal undergarments. If you anticipate needing alterations for your dress, factor that into the expenses. Additionally, include the expected cost of accessories in this section, which can range from $40 to several hundred dollars based on your custom choices.
Similarly, the cost of the suit or tuxedo varies widely. Whether you choose a custom suit jacket made from specialty fabric or visit a local suit salon, there are numerous styles, colors, and options to consider, such as tie versus bowtie, vest, or cummerbund.
2. Rings and other Jewelry:
This section covers wedding rings and other jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, lapel pins, a watch for the groom, and your wedding bands. You can budget for any genuine, faux, or rented jewelry for your wedding. Feel free to spend whatever amount suits you on your wedding ring, wedding band, or the entire set. Remember to consider the groom's ring or wedding band as well. Prices for wedding bands can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on your budget and preferences.
3. Hair & Makeup:
Calculate the total expense for your wedding makeup products. Include the fees for your makeup and hair artists in this section. Airbrush makeup is especially beneficial in hot and humid conditions. Eyelash extensions enhance your eyes, giving them a larger appearance and adding that extra touch photographers adore. Pricing for makeup and styling can vary from $75 to $350.
4. Decor:
This encompasses all elements of wedding decor, including furniture, fabrics, lighting, decorative pieces, and antique display items you might consider for your wedding. Keep in mind that your decor not only elevates your venue's aesthetic but also enhances the quality of your wedding photos. From floral arrangements to a guest lounge, and from the arch to the centerpieces, be sure to remember the bistro lights for your outdoor cocktail hour on the patio, which you may need to buy or rent.
5. Florals:
Count the bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets, the groom and groomsmen’s boutonnieres, floral decorations at the venue, any artificial plants, and other floral needs. This includes both silk and real floral arrangements. If you're considering DIY wedding centerpieces, they may cost around $10 to $15 each, while professionally arranged pieces start at approximately $50. Bridal bouquets typically range from $75 to $500, depending on the types of flowers used in the arrangement.
6. Music:
Include the fees for your DJ, live band, choir, and any other musical performances you wish to have at your wedding. Whether it's harpists, acoustic musicians, pianists, or quartets, live music is a delightful experience that guests typically enjoy due to the artistry involved. Expect to pay at least $500-$1000+ for live music, while DJs generally start around $1000 and go up depending on the add-on services such as dinner music, uplighting services, etc. Remember, your musicians and DJs are providing a valuable service on your wedding day, so it's customary to offer a tip for their efforts, which is often not factored into their pricing or final invoice, unlike catering or bartending services.
7. Dessert:
The desserts are important. From cake to donuts, to ice cream bars, cheesecake buffets or just moist wedding cake... ensure that your dessert reflects you as a couple of what you love. Cupcakes can range from $0.75 to $4.00 per wedding cupcake depending on flavor options. It's a new norm to not have a wedding cake, and to adventure into something more unique.
8. Caterers:
Catering expenses largely hinge on the number of guests and the type of meal you wish to provide. Taking into account a rehearsal dinner, unique beverages, or special desserts, consider that catering prices can soar. Barbecue caterers might start at around $10 per plate per person, while a more elaborate five-course meal could run between $60 and $75 per plate. The cost varies based on your meat choices, from lobster and shrimp to premium options like Wagyu steak or cordon bleu chicken. And don’t overlook the tempting option of tacos; they’re one of my favorites! The usual safe options are a beef of some sort, a chicken breast, or even a pork option, but then there's always a vegetarian option that is strongly suggested. Keeping in mind the style of serving - buffet or plated. Some venues you will find that plated is more reasonable than buffet because of the food waste concern. Plated options can also be more expensive because of the need for increased staffing. Ask at your venue their preference and how they like to serve guests.
9. Officiant:
Their fees and any unique gifts you intend to give your wedding officiant are usually budgeted here. Officiant fees typically range from $100 to $750.
8. Marriage Licence & Other Legal Permissions:
Investigate the expense of obtaining a marriage license or any necessary legal approvals. This may include medical reports, event insurance, photography permissions, and permits for different locations. Costs typically vary between $20 and $100 based on state and county.
10. Transport:
Add the cost of a bus, car, or shuttle to help your guests move from one place to another, such as from the ceremony site to the reception venue or the hotels & Airbnb. This can range from hourly coverage to half-day coverage. Some transportation companies also offer full-day transportation services. With a range of $250 – $750, this is a safe option for navigating your wedding day and providing a safe ride home for your guests back to the hotel if you have a shuttle.
11. Invitations & Stationery:
Your save-the-date cards, thank-you notes, menus, RSVPs, guest signing book, posters, and banners fall into this category. Don’t forget to include postage costs in your stationery budget. You can find wedding save-the-dates and invitations on Etsy for $3-$7 each but remember to factor in the envelopes if they are not provided, as well as the postage required to send them. Postage for the RSVP back to you as a wedding guest is often overlooked, but ensuring responses are returned to you is essential.
12. Venue costs:
Calculate the expenses for booking a hotel for the night before and the night of your wedding, as well as for your church or ceremony site and reception venue. Often, you will find that the venues will have a minimum food and beverage amount. Whether you hit that amount or not, that's the minimum usually charged. If you go beyond the minimum, your final cost will be accounted for, especially if you do an open bar during cocktail hour or open beer and wine all night. Continually evaluate your options to ensure that you're within your budget.
13. Rentals:
Consider the costs for any microphones, speakers, screens, or projectors you rent if your entertainment doesn't provide those services. Additionally, consider other rental needs for your wedding, such as tables and chairs, linens, a tent as a plan B option for weather, decorations, an arch, and, depending on the venue, plates. Rental prices can range from $10 to over $2000, depending on the items rented.
14. Favors:
Calculate the total expenses for all gifts and favors intended for your parents, wedding party, and other guests. If you're organizing special gifts for the children to ensure they remember your wedding, include those costs here as well. Gift prices vary from $0.50 to $250.00, depending on the recipient. I always suggest gifts that your recipients can use again, whether a flask, tie, fun socks, handbag, a belonging tote bag, or even a fun Yeti cup... these gifts are always appreciated and will make continued memories.
15. Photography & Videography:
Lastly, clarify your photography expectations and identify the type of wedding photographer you desire. Conduct research in the market to find the best match based on photography style, the emotions captured in the photos, and available products such as a wedding book or digital video player, especially if you're considering a videographer. Investing a bit more in your wedding photography and videography is acceptable since the day will pass quickly. Still, the photos will last a lifetime, and a video can be enjoyable to revisit. Be sure to factor in additional costs, like a photo booth, if you arrange that yourself. Beyond setting expectations for your photographer, consider hiring a videographer to capture speeches, wedding vows, and those special moments throughout the day.
Wisconsin Wedding Photographer with Wedding Budget Tips
As a final piece of advice, I encourage all couples to monitor their spending. This approach will enable you to align your expenditures with your predetermined budget and avoid emotional distress.
I trust that my wedding costs checklist will assist you in organizing your wedding budget more effectively. If you feel overwhelmed, consider reaching out to family members or friends who have planned a wedding before for support.
Additionally, you can take advantage of the excellent wedding budget calculator provided by The Knot.
Are you still in the search of a photographer and videographer? I'd love to connect to talk more about your wedding day. Click here to inquire and let's connect.
I wish everyone a fun wedding planning experience. Please enjoy it because the wedding day will go by fast.