Setting A Budget For Your Wedding

First, you have to decide two things:

#1) How much money you want to spend on your wedding?

#2) Who will be contributing to the wedding and how much?

The traditional rule of the bride’s family paying for the whole wedding is becoming a thing of the past. There is much more sharing of expenses today between the bride's family, the groom's family and the bride and groom.

Let’s look at some of the costs. Your reception, including the food and beverages, can average 50-65% of your total budget. Therefore, the reception location you select and how many guests you invite will have the most impact on your budget. After setting the date you will know how long you have to save; remember, most vendors do not require final payments until the week of the wedding.

Today, the average wedding costs between $12,000-$19,000. Here are some estimated percentages of your wedding budget; this is only a guideline to help you get started.

Reception Site, Food & Beverages = 50%

Photography & Videography = 13%

Music = 11%

Apparel = 10%

Flowers = 7%

Invitations = 2%

Wedding Cake = 2%

Transportation = 2%

Miscellaneous = 3%

Total = 100%