A Basic Budget

Creating a budget can be pretty easy. The big question is how much can you spend? Then possibly, how much do you want to spend? These are both important questions in creating you budget. Sticking to your budget can be hard, especially if you have a small budget, so it helps to use a budget tool like the one found here. Also, a percent of your budget should go to each part of your wedding. Here are some good percentages that should work well. 

Reception: 40%
Decor: 10%
Ceremony: 10%
Photography: 10%
Attire: 5%
Videography: 5%
Rentals/Lighting: 5%
Stationary: 5%
Gifts: 4%
Group Activities: 3%
Miscellaneous: 3%

Anything you choose to do to save money, like using friends instead of a photographer or choosing a venue with its own tables and lighting, means a higher percentage of your budget available for a different category.

EXAMPLE BUDGET:
This is for a $20,000 budget.

CATEGORY = ESTIMATED COST

Band = $800

Beauty and Health = $200 (Hair and makeup=$100; Prewedding pampering=$100)

Cake and (Cutting Fee) = $500

Catering = $7,700 (Beverage and bartenders=$1,600; Food and service=$6,100)

Ceremony Music = $200

DJ = $600

Dress and Attire = $1,780 (Bride's accessories=$200; Dress and alterations=$1,200; Groom's accessories=$60; Groom's tux or suit=$120; Headpiece and veil=$200)

Favors and Gifts = $200

Flowers and Decor = $1,590 (Additional boutonnieres and corsages=$100; Bride bouquet=$140, Bridesmaid bouquets=$200, Ceremony decorations=$280, Flower girl flowers=$30, Groom and Groomsmen                                   Boutonnieres=$40; Reception decorations and centerpieces=$800)

Invitations = $600 (Invitations and reply cards=$500; Other stationary=$100)

Jewelry = $400 (His ring=$200; Her ring=$200)

Officiant = $200

Other = $340 (Accommodations for wedding night=$100; Bridesmaid gifts=$80; Groomsmen gifts=$80; Hotel rooms for out-of-town guests=$0; Parent gifts=$80)

Photography = $1,500 (Additional prints=$200; Photographer=$1,300)

Planning = $350

Rentals = $0

Transportation = $200 (Guest shuttle or parking=$0; Limo or car rentals=$200)

Venue = $1,840 (Ceremony venue accessories=$40; Ceremony venue fee=$200; Reception venue=$1,600; Rehearsal dinner venue=$0)

Videography = $1,000

Remember that this is just an example and doesn't necessarily include everything you might be buying.