How do you Create a Wedding Budget?

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Q: How Do You Create A Wedding Budget?

A:

There’s no denying it -- all that wedding glamour and glitter costs money, and setting a realistic wedding budget now is going to save you from a nasty shock on your wedding day. So take out that calculator, call up your folks, and decide on a realistic budget.

Before you start number crunching, set your priorities. Can you give up that string quartet in order to have nicer flowers? Is serving filet mignon at a four-course dinner more to you than hiring an incredible photographer? Once you know what elements you can and can’t live without, you'll have a much clearer idea of how to allocate your money. Then use our Budget Tool to give you an estimate of how much to spend on each category.

First, what type of wedding do you want? Are you thinking fancy ballroom or backyard luncheon? Do you want a destination wedding instead of a traditional soiree at home? Your theme and venue will dictate the majority of your costs.

The second most important thing is the number of guests. Assuming you pay $100 a head, there is a drastic difference between a party for one hundred and an extravaganza for four hundred.

Next, make a list of all the usual elements of a wedding and decide on which aspects to splurge on, which to cut back on, and which to eliminate altogether. Some things to consider:

Reception type. Are you planning on a formal dinner, a cocktail reception, or perhaps a champagne and dessert brunch?

Alcohol. Serving wine and champagne, along with having an open bar, quickly adds up. Consider keeping it a dry event.

Cake. This can cost anywhere from a dollar per slice to six or more dollars per slice, depending on the intricacy of design and combination of flavors and fillings. Consider going to your local grocery store bakery to see if they can customize a cake for you at a more reasonable price than a private designer.

Flowers. Check out which flowers will be in season during your wedding month and how big of a factor you want them to play in your reception décor.

Number of attendants. The number of bridesmaids and groomsmen will affect the costs of the rehearsal dinner, bridal gifts, and bridal luncheon.

Invitations. This will be the your guests’ first hint of what’s to come, but do you really need each envelope hand-calligraphied and embossed on the thickest cardstock available?

Dress. Ask yourself if you want a designer dress, or if you will be satisfied getting one on sale at your local bridal store.

Jewelry. Can you cut back here by borrowing family heirlooms?

Photographer/Videographer. Decide on what style you’re looking for and what type of package you want.

Entertainment. Consider forgoing a full band and keeping it simple with a DJ.

Favors. Crystal goblets for each person, or a yummy box of truffles?

Transportation. Is a regular limo for just the bride and groom sufficient, or do you want a stretch Hummer for all your attendants? Or better yet, get your best man to chauffer you around in a luxury rental car!

Wedding Consultant. Strictly optional, but highly desirable for some. Spend the extra money here if planning your wedding yourself will be too much of a headache.

Once you’ve thought about each category, begin visiting various vendors to compare prices. After that, it’s all up to you to fit those estimates into your budget!

Article: weddingchannel.com