Your life is all about romance right now as you plan your wedding and look forward to your honeymoon. However, there are a few less interesting (yet vital) things to consider—your finances being one of them. Our 15 wedding budget tips will help you start right.

Why use wedding budget tips?

Your wedding budget. Sometimes, it’s not the most exciting topic to discuss when planning, but it is necessary. And just because you set a wedding budget doesn’t mean you have to have a budget wedding.

When you’re newly engaged, the last thing you want to think about is your wedding budget. Chances are you’d rather be filling your Pinterest board with gorgeous bouquets, centerpieces, and the like. However, when you’re newly married, the last thing you want is to deal with debt from overspending on your wedding.

When envisioning your wedding day, perhaps the least romantic thing to think about is the cost. However, having a wedding budget is an integral part of planning a wedding. With great excitement, emotional spending can occur easily. Adhering to a set allocation can help alleviate overspending and be a positive step toward starting your marriage without financial stress.

How can these budgeting tips help with your wedding?

It’s smart to know which vendors to prioritize, while also having a clear idea of your budget. Whether you have a $10k wedding budget or a $35,000 wedding budget, it’s still vital to personalize your finances.

This isn’t a wedding budget calculator, but these are tips on how to prioritize your wedding budget breakdown. It’s easy to toss a few numbers down, but it takes a bit more time to really consider what you want to invest in total and for each part of your wedding. Hopefully, these ideas will help you create a successful financial plan from the start.

So, how is a couple supposed to create a budget for the biggest day of their lives? Well, be sure to look at our wedding budget tips to help!

11 Quick Wedding Budget Tips

1. Before considering your finances, it is essential to get a realistic idea of what things cost in your geographical area (enter your zip code into www.costofwedding.com to do a quick check of the average). Do research by asking former brides and local wedding vendors. Ask wedding professionals questions and ensure that you understand all the costs, including any add-ons, fees, and taxes.

2. Be sure to consider the type of wedding you want to have – for example, outdoor rustic versus formal ballroom. This could impact your budget significantly.

3. Pinterest does not always equal reality. As much as it is hard to accept, many of the beautiful images on the web are genuinely exceptional. Meaning that a bride needs to be prepared for the fact that the cake she has been eyeing is well out of her budget. Share images with vendors and be open to suggestions for creating something reminiscent of the original, yet within a more realistic budget.

4. Some locations and/or certain times of the year can be more cost-effective than others. Many vendors are in high demand during the warm months, yet they often experience a lag in late winter and early spring. Additionally, consider the flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding.

5. A larger guest list usually requires a larger budget. You may need to trim your guest list or allocate less budget to other areas to accommodate more family and friends. When meeting with rental companies, venues, and caterers, it is especially important to have an accurate guest count for accurate estimates. A larger wedding party can also impact costs.

6. It is important to determine upfront who is contributing financially to the wedding. If parents or family members are helping fund the wedding, ensure you have clarity on the amount they are contributing. Having financial help from friends and family can be a tremendous relief, as many brides-to-be often rely on personal loans to fund their weddings.

“Just because you set a wedding budget doesn’t mean you have to have a budget wedding.”

7. Divide your overall wedding budget into categories. Although there are various recommendations on what percentages of your budget should be allocated to each category, be sure to examine each area and determine what is most important to you. Splurging by having your favorite band play at your reception may be more important to you than spending on large centerpieces.

8. Consider elements that will last. How your guests felt at your wedding and the documentation of it will be the only things that last besides the wonderful memories. Be sure to make your guests feel special and have something for your grandchildren to look at someday.

9. Utilizing a wedding budget spreadsheet can help keep you on track. Many online wedding sites provide budget worksheets. Choose one that best represents your goals, or design one that fits your needs.

10. Add in some buffer room for unexpected expenses or to have the ability to spend a few extra dollars on that wedding dress that makes you look fabulous.

11. Once you have set your budget, try your best to adhere to it.

4 Deeper Tips for Budgeting Your Wedding

12. Work together to curate a budget for your wedding.

Creating a wedding budget is a two-person job, regardless of who is primarily responsible for the planning. Set aside some time to sit down one-on-one and come up with a reasonable number.

Consider who will be footing the bill. Are you receiving help from family members, or will you be covering the costs yourself? Discuss with one another until you reach an agreement on a number, whether it’s $10,000 or $100,000.

13. Break your costs down into categories.

Once you have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend on your wedding, it’s time to break it down into categories. Many online resources can help you allocate your expenses by category, so don’t hesitate to conduct research first. Generally, the venue and catering typically account for about half of the budget, so set that aside.

From there, determine the top three must-haves for your wedding. It could be great music, delicious food, or photography that lasts a lifetime. Whatever your ‘big three’ are, make them priorities on your budget. If you already have certain vendors in mind, don’t hesitate to request quotes and include them in your budget as well. The more realistic your numbers are, the more likely you are to stick to them.

14. Factor in any hidden fees.

While it’s easy to allocate your budget for big things, keep in mind that there will be other expenses as well. Set aside some extra money for taxes and tips for specific vendors.

The most effective way to account for these additional expenditures is to establish a contingency budget. 10% is a reasonable amount. This is money that isn’t allocated out, but acts as an emergency fund to cover costs that weren’t originally factored into the budget.

15. Stick to the budget you made together.

This is, of course, easier said than done. Remember that you set a budget together for a reason. While it may not seem like much to spend a bit extra on upgrading a bouquet, small expenses can certainly add up. If possible, consider DIYing parts of your wedding to save some money. Be firm and resolute with your budget, keeping in mind that your wedding is much more than the little details.

Once you’ve finalized your budget, it’s time to move on to the next step. Picking your venue and vendors! While this can be exciting, it must be done after setting the budget to ensure your chosen vendors are within your price range.

Save our thoughts on the budget for your big day.

Have you considered your wedding budget and how to prioritize vendors? It’s a great conversation to have with your fiancé as you plan and implement your big day. We hope these wedding budget tips were helpful. Happy planning!