{"id":8408,"date":"2020-11-16T23:50:25","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T05:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/?p=8408"},"modified":"2020-11-17T01:59:05","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T07:59:05","slug":"wedding-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wedding-budget","title":{"rendered":"How To Create a Wedding Budget for Your Dream Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wedding<\/p>\n

Setting a wedding budget can seem like a daunting task. You might have no idea how much it will cost, how long you\u2019ll need to save, or how to manage your expenses to achieve the results you want. Aside from the hard costs of the wedding itself, there are also many other components that add to your wedding budget, including beauty treatments, bridal party gifts, and transportation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not sure where to start, don\u2019t worry. This guide offers an easy way to figure out your wedding fund, including a wedding budget breakdown that’ll help you plan the celebration of your dreams.<\/span>
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How Much Does a Wedding Really Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The beauty of planning a <\/span>wedding<\/span><\/a> is that you can create something amazing to suit any budget. You could go all out with a $50,000 luxury <\/span>destination wedding<\/span><\/a> or a wonderful DIY <\/span>micro wedding<\/span><\/a> for under $2,000. There\u2019s magic to be made at every budget point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019, <\/span>the average wedding cost was nearly $25,000<\/span><\/a>, and chances are that number is only going to increase. That said, these figures also vary significantly by state, with Hawaii topping the list as most expensive. Of course, averages take into account everything from celebrations with hundreds of guests to ceremonies with a much smaller guest list. Still, it\u2019s a helpful starting point if you\u2019re just starting to think about your wedding funds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Set Your Wedding Budget<\/b><\/h2>\n

Knowing the average cost of a wedding is great, but everyone has different incomes, lifestyles, and desires for their big day. Here\u2019s how to set a wedding budget that takes all this into account, so you can begin planning your ceremony and reception with confidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Know Your Income and Savings<\/b><\/h3>\n

When planning your wedding budget, the first thing to do is review your income and savings as a couple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a look at your household budget and identify how much money you could save each month towards your wedding fund. You might want to keep your lifestyle as it is, or you could make changes and live a little more frugally to contribute more to your wedding fund.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You also want to review how much you have in your savings accounts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You might have been saving for the last few months or years with a wedding in mind, or you might be starting fresh. Maybe you\u2019ve been saving for a down payment on a house or a dream getaway and want to use some of these funds for your wedding instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve worked out your finances as a couple, you\u2019ll have a good idea of what\u2019s achievable. Not only will this help you set your wedding budget but it can help you decide on a date too \u2014 if you don\u2019t have the funds now, you can always plan your wedding for the following year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just remember to be responsible and don\u2019t empty your bank account. You deserve to have a wonderful wedding, but you also don\u2019t want to go into debt or be left with no savings just to make it happen. After all, your wedding is just one day \u2014 and it will be memorable no matter what. But your marriage will last a lifetime. You want to start your journey together on solid financial ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Discuss Finances With Family<\/b><\/h3>\n

Discussing finances with family can be tricky, but it\u2019s another way to potentially increase your wedding budget or make your money go further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Family help doesn\u2019t have to mean a massive contribution to your venue costs \u2014 it could come in the form of contributing to photography fees or using connections to get you a discount on your wedding flowers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone\u2019s family will be able or willing to contribute, and that\u2019s OK. But having a conversation with them could be a way for them to throw in some new ideas about more affordable venues, or they might know a great DIY trick that\u2019ll save you hundreds on your decor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Realistic<\/b><\/h3>\n

Weddings can be incredibly expensive. Venue rentals can run into the thousands, and that\u2019s not even factoring in costs like tips and transport. As you plan your wedding budget, stay realistic about what\u2019s practical \u2014 both in terms of money and time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To secure the venue you love at a price that works for you, you might have to opt for a weekday wedding or book your date a year or more in advance. (Note: <\/span>Planning your event<\/span><\/a> well in advance can often save money.) If you need a venue fast, your choices will be more limited and prices will likely go up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The same goes for other parts of your wedding, like catering and alterations. There\u2019s a careful balancing act between deadlines and prices when it comes to wedding expenses. If you\u2019re short on time, chances are you\u2019ll end up paying more to get what you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Staying realistic about what your wedding budget can handle will help you navigate wedding planning with more confidence and joy. It\u2019s better to enjoy those moments searching for the perfect venue within your budget than to tour places you love that are beyond your budget range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Decide on Your Non-Negotiables<\/b><\/h3>\n

For most couples planning a wedding, there are a few things each person can\u2019t imagine budging on. It\u2019s critical to define these non-negotiables since they\u2019ll influence how you allocate your wedding budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You might have your heart set on a specific venue in a town that you love, while your partner might have a large family who all want to celebrate with you. Maybe there\u2019s a band you\u2019d love to have <\/span>at your reception<\/span><\/a>, or you want to fill the venue with gorgeous fresh flowers. Everyone has their \u201cthing\u201d and it\u2019s important to make that a priority if it matters to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re clear on your non-negotiables, you can be a little more relaxed about the other elements of your wedding. Sure, your wedding menu is important and you want to feel amazing in whatever you wear. But you can be more flexible in these areas knowing that your non-negotiables are set.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Organize Your Wedding Budget Expenses<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Wedding<\/p>\n

With a better understanding of your finances and non-negotiables, it\u2019s time to start setting your wedding budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to set it and forget it, so create a spreadsheet to track your wedding budget or use a paper planner to organize your wedding finances. Spreadsheets are great because you can edit them as things change and use formulas to help you stay on track.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Split your wedding budget into categories to ensure you have everything covered. It\u2019s also a great idea to assign each category a percentage of your budget. This helps you visualize the areas that are most important to you, and helps you see what you\u2019re spending at a glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

How you prioritize the categories is up to you. For most couples, the wedding venue will take about 25% of the total budget for the big day. You might increase this if you want to book an in-demand venue, or reduce it if you\u2019re hosting a <\/span>backyard wedding<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Photography is another expense that will depend on how you choose to handle it. For example, you could spend up to 20% of your budget on photography if it\u2019s a must-have. Or you might have a photographer friend who will shoot your wedding as a wedding gift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below are all the categories you\u2019ll want to cover for your wedding budget, along with some suggested items for each.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wedding Ceremony<\/b><\/h3>\n