The Wedding of Your Dreams (On a Budget)

One of the major tips on wedding planning concerns a subject every couple must confront, like it or not, and that is the wedding budget. In a perfect world, every couple should have the wedding and honeymoon of their dreams, without regards to cost. Now, back down to earth.

In the real world, especially in these tough economic times, it is important to be realistic and avoid taking on a long term debt that may end up affecting a couple’s life together due to the financial strain it can cause.

You want to spend your married life basking in love’s glow, not burdened with debt and stressing over money.

Tips on Wedding Planning – The Guest List

Every wedding planner will advise that there is a cost per guest, and this will vary depending on many factors. The main expense is the reception, which includes not only food and beverages, but a caterer (optional), rental space, furnishings, decorations, entertainment, etc.

When making the guest list, it is important to remember that every name on that list adds to the wedding cost. You don’t want to leave anyone out, but you must also be selective. How close are you to this friend? Do you stay in touch with them? The guest list involves compromise from both bride and groom.

Since this is a major portion of the budget, around 45% of the total, it is easy to see this is an area where overspending should be avoided.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Research is Essential

Before any Save the Date Cards or Wedding Invitations go out, before even the first check is written, a budget should be determined. An inaccurate and unrealistic budget is about as worthwhile as none at all. It is important to research what items actually cost in order to create a reasonable and realistic budget.

Make calls to caterers for estimates; find out the rental cost for the ceremony and reception venues; decide if you can afford a wedding planner; price out wedding stationery, your wedding dress, decorations and flowers, the wedding cake, and the honeymoon.

Once you have the budget set, stay within it. If you spend more in one area, make up for it in another. Also, have a “contingency” in the budget for the unexpected things that arise, and there will be unplanned items that were omitted from the original budget.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Estimated Percentages

Keep in mind these are just estimates, and they can easily vary based on many different factors.

– Ceremony, license, entertainment, parking, transportation – 5%
– Stationery – 3%
– Entertainment (ceremony, reception) – 6%
– Reception (venue, food, beverages, cake, rentals, party favors) – 45%
– Flowers (ceremony, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, reception) – 8%
– Photography, video – 10%
– Gifts for bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, parents – 3%
– Rings (bride and groom) – 3%
– Attire (bride, groom, jewelry, hair, makeup, shoes, accessories) – 9%
– Contingency fund – 8%

When you budget, don’t forget the special little touches that make your wedding unique. Check out the impressive collection of Wedding Invitations and Save the Date Cards at PMCustomWeddings.com, your source for personalized and stylish wedding stationery that will remain a treasure keepsake throughout your lives together.