One of the first things in the wedding planning process should be THE BUDGET! The first step in creating your budget is deciding which portions of your wedding are the most important to you. No matter who writes the cheques, you will still need to create and stick to a budget for your wedding. Your whole wedding team needs to adhere to the budget and communicate well about money, or else you will have problems. Money is the number one fight factor in the wedding team. Set the guidelines on who's paying for what, and what is the allowed budget.

Tips

• Shoes: When choosing shoes, consider comfort for the long day ahead. Opt for pairs that can be worn again after the event to get more value. Break them in before the big day to avoid blisters. You can for an elegant pair of tennis and pickleball, prioritize comfort with trendy and comfy insoles. These provide extra cushioning and support, ensuring your feet stay comfortable during intense play.

Wedding Budget Summary

• 5% - Ceremony

  • Location fee: Cost for renting the ceremony venue.
  • Officiant fee: Payment for the person officiating your wedding.
  • Marriage license: Legal document fee required to marry.
  • Musician's fees: Charges for live musicians during the ceremony.
  • Ring pillows: Cushions for holding wedding rings.

• 10% - Attire

  • Dress: Cost of the bridal gown.
  • Headpiece/veil: Accessories for the bride's hairstyle.
  • Undergarments and hosiery: Essential wear under the dress.
  • Shoes: Bridal and groom footwear.
  • Accessories: Jewelry and other adornments.
  • Jewelry: Earrings, necklaces, and other pieces.
  • Hair and makeup: Professional services for styling.
  • Groom's Tuxedo or Suit: Formal wear for the groom.
  • Shoes: Footwear for the groom.
  • Bow tie: Neckwear for the groom.
  • Cuff links: Shirt fasteners for formal wear.
  • Studs: Decorative shirt buttons for the groom.
  • Suspenders: Straps to hold up trousers.

• 3% - Rings

  • His and her rings: Wedding bands for the couple.
  • Engraving: Custom inscriptions on rings.

• 40% - Reception

  • Reception Site: Venue for the celebration.
  • Food: Meals for guests.
  • Drinks: Beverages, including alcohol.
  • Rentals: Tables, chairs, linens, etc.
  • Cake: Wedding cake cost.
  • Favors: Small gifts for guests.
  • Decorations: Items to beautify the venue.

• 6% - Flowers

  • Ceremony flowers: Floral arrangements for the venue.
  • Bride's bouquet: Floral arrangement for the bride.
  • Maid-of-honor and bridesmaid bouquets: Bouquets for attendants.
  • Corsages and boutonnieres: Floral pieces for family and attendants.
  • Centerpieces: Table decorations.
  • Flower-girl basket: Basket with petals for flower girl.

• 5% - Music

  • Ceremony Musicians: Live music during the ceremony.
  • Band and/or DJ: Entertainment for reception.
  • Cocktail hour musicians: Music during pre-reception drinks.
  • Sound system rental: Equipment hire for audio needs.

• 14% - Photography

  • Photographer and Videographer's fees: Charges for capturing moments.
  • Albums: Physical photo books.
  • Additional prints: Extra copies of photos.
  • Disposable cameras for candids: Cameras for guest use.

• 2% - Transportation

  • Transportation for wedding party: Vehicles for bridal party travel.
  • Guest shuttle and/or parking attendants: Transport or assistance for guests.

• 4% - Stationery

  • Invitations: Formal invites sent to guests.
  • Response cards: RSVPs for guest reply.
  • Thank you notes: Cards to thank guests post-event.
  • Postage: Mailing costs for invitations and cards.
  • Calligraphy: Handwritten addressing service.
  • Guest book: Book for guest signatures and messages.

• 3% - Gifts

  • Bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts: Presents for bridal party members.
  • Parents' gifts: Tokens of appreciation for parents.
  • Welcome baskets for out-of-town guests: Packages to greet traveling guests.

• 4% - Parties

  • Bridesmaid's Luncheon: Pre-wedding meal with bridesmaids.
  • Rehearsal Dinner: Meal after wedding rehearsal.

• 4% - Miscellaneous

  • Wedding Consultant: Professional planning assistance fees.
  • Newspaper Announcements: Cost to announce wedding in papers.
  • Marriage License: Legal document fee required to marry.
  • Prenuptial Agreement: Legal fees if applicable.
  • Bridal Gown/Bouquet Preservation: Services to preserve dress/flowers post-wedding.
  • Wedding Planning Software: Tools to assist in planning process.

Is the Traditional 'Who Pays" still relevant today? Times have changed since the traditional wedding years ago. More and more the cost of the wedding is either shared with both the bride and groom families or financed totally by the bride and groom. Still it is good to have a guideline to start from. The following Traditional list can be personalized letting anyone pay for the portion they can or want to cover. ... Read more