Wedding Budgets Tips
Read these 44 Wedding Budgets Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Wedding tips and hundreds of other topics.
Plan for the Reception When Considering Your Wedding Budget
A typical wedding with fifty guests can cost about $15,000 and that when it has been budgeted. Fifty percent of your wedding costs will be invested in the reception. Receptions are where the couple cut their cake, take their first dance and generally celebrate their nuptials. The venue, food, drinks, music, flowers and photography are all just facets of the reception. So sit down with your lists and get ready to mark all the things you absolutely want to have at your wedding and then pay attention to these rules to trim back the cost.
budget helper
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/weddingbdgt.asp
this is and interactive budget helper.... it will be very useful to brides and grooms planning on a budget.
Stretching your wedding budget
Choose a weeknight to get married at your favorite wedding chapel, church or even destination. Rates are much lower for weekday weddings (and this includes not only the locatin, but also the vendors rates) and you get to enjoy the weekend for your honeymoon.
Who Pays for What?
Traditionally, here's who pays for what.
Bride and family pay for church, synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.; bride's dress, veil, accessories, and lingerie; arrangements for church and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls; all wedding photos and video; bridesmaids' luncheon; shower; all all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music; groom's ring; invitations, announcements, and wedding programs; and transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.
Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant's fee; groom's outfit; bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers; complete honeymoon; the rehearsal dinner; bachelors' dinner; and both of the bride's rings.
That said, no one really goes by those guidelines anymore. Many couples pay for some of the wedding themselves, or figure out the costs and divide it in half, since it's not fair for one family to carry the bulk of the burden.
Budgeting: Phase II
1) If you are like most people, what you want and what you can afford are two separate things. Get together with your fiance and prioritize. Figure out what are the most important elements of your wedding and put your money there.
2) You will be amazed at how different your ideas are from your groom-to-be's. Get ready for your first lesson in matrimonial bliss . . .compromise!
3) No matter how much you "do-it-yourself," you will probably still have to minimize in a couple of areas. Be prepared for this reality.
Don't Go Overboard
It's not a good idea to go over your budget or go into debt in order to pay off your wedding. Beginning a married life together is a difficult transition as it is, and having a debt because of your wedding only adds to the financial problems.
Saving Money on Alcohol
Want to have something stronger than soft drinks at your wedding but are watching your pennies? Try one of these approaches:
- If you don't have to buy your alcohol from the venue where you're having your reception, buy your own---you'll get it cheaper and be able to pick out what you want.
- Have a limited bar as opposed to an open bar.
- Cut back on the number of different kinds of liquor you provide---nix the mixed drinks, have champagne only for the toasting, and then serve one each of basic wines (red, white and blush) and one or two kinds of beer.
Think Green!
To save money on your flowers, try using more greenery than blooms in your church arrangments or garlands on archways, trellises, etc. Ferns and vines are both inexpensive and easy to obtain, sometimes for free!
First Things First
Before you start any planning whatsoever, make sure you know your exact budget. It's not fun to make big plans and then have to cancel them because you can't afford them---going into your planning with a specific dollar amount in mind can save you a lot of heartache.
Mum's the Word
If you *really* need to save money and aren't afraid of a little sneakiness, you can do many things (flowers, banquet halls, etc.) and without mentioning the word 'wedding' can save a bundle. Prices go way up when flowers are 'wedding flowers' as opposed to 'party flowers' or 'reunion flowers.'
Cheap Months to Marry
The rate of couples getting married goes *way* down in the winter. With the exception of December (all those holiday weddings!), November thru March aren't big wedding months---you'll spend less money if you get married during the off-season.
Don't Do the Dyed Thing
Any bridesmaid will probably tell you that not only has she *not* worn bridesmaid's dresses again, but that she also never wore the dyed-to-match shoes. Consider having your bm's wear navy or black shoes, or white or cream shoes that can actually be worn after the wedding.
The Dress and More
When budgeting for your wedding attire, be sure to also figure in the following: shoes, purse, jewelry, lingerie, gloves, headpiece/veil, and alterations. If you have just $500 to spend for all, you don't want to spend $450 on the gown and have nothing left for the rest of your getup ; )
Good from the Get-Go
Decide up-front, from the *very* beginning, who is going to pay for what. Make a huge master list of everything you'll need to buy/rent and mark off which things you're paying for, what your parents are paying for, what the groom's family is buying, etc. There will also be things that pop up unexpectedly---decide *now* who is willing to pay for extras. It's not always a fun task, but knowing early on who's paying for what can eliminate uncomfortable scenes and nasty arguments later.
All Together Now
If you can, buy your wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses at the same shop----often there's a discount, sometimes it will also include shoes and jewelry from the same store.
Vendors and Budgets
To stick tight to your budget, before you meet with a vendor, get a rough idea of their price range
and don't meet with that vendor if you know that they're out of your price range. When you do meet with the vendor, tell them your budget up front so they can help you pick from options that will stay within your budget.
Wedding Credit
If you and your beloved are paying for your own wedding, or are given money but are handling the financial end (bills and such), it's a good idea to have a separate credit card specifically to pay for wedding costs. It's a good way to keep all your wedding transactions in one place, and if you have billing disputes often the credit card company will help you out.
Wedding Checking
If you and your beloved are paying for your own wedding, or are given money but are handling the financial end (bills and such), it's a good idea to open a separate checking account specifically to pay for wedding costs.
Quickie Cost Cutters: Guest List
Looking for places to cut costs? A good place to start is the guest list---you may need to face up to the reality of having a so-so wedding with everyone and his brother invited, or the wedding you really want with fewer guests. Close friends and family are usually shoo-ins, but do you really need to invite all of your dad's fraternity brothers from college? Unless your parents are footing the entire bill, try to keep guests to the 'must-haves.'
Cutting the (Cake) Costs
If your cake budget is tight, consider eliminating some or all of the following, which usually add to the expense of the cake: fruit fillings, fondant icing, handmade sugar flowers, deep (rather than pastel) colors, unique shapes.
Wedding Budgets
In today's society...the "ize" have it. We must prioritize, compromise and sacrifice to have a successful event that doesn't break the bank. Afterall, you want to remember your wedding as a source of joy, not of debt.
1) Find out who will be paying for your wedding and how much they can afford. You should establish your "bottom-line" first.
2) The next step is to fill in a sample budget with "guess-timates." For example, if your bottom line is $10,000, you would allow $1,500 for photography, $600 for a dress, $500 for flowers, $300 for a cake, $300 for stationary, $5000 for reception etc.
3) Now get actual estimates. Get at least three for each item and put them on a budget spreadsheet.
4) And now the difficult part! If you are like most people..what you want and what you can afford are
two separate things. Get together with your fiance and prioritize. Figure out what are the most important elements of your wedding and put your money there.
5) You will be amazed at how different your ideas are from your groom-to-be's. Get ready for your first lesson in matrimonial bliss... compromise!
6) Sadly, no matter how much you "do-it-yourself," you will probably still have to minimize in a couple of areas. A good place to start is the guest list. Also, changing the reception from dinner to a brunch or an evening cocktail party or dessert reception can take a sizeable chunk off of your reception total.
Be prepared to have an open mind and be imaginative. You should still be able to pull off the wedding of your dreams within a realistic budget!
Cutting Costs
You can have an elegant wedding at a reasonable price! Hit the stores with a pad of paper and a pen and comparison shop. Go to wedding rental stores, they carry everything from pew bows to gazebos! Remember prices are negotiable. I bought a 600.00 gown for 450.00 because I asked for a discount. Don't be afraid to dicker.
Runaway Runner
Unless your church provides it for free, consider skipping purchasing a runner. They're often slippery, easily torn and can cause people to trip.
Tipping 101
The general guidelines for tipping are as follows (note that pastors aren't included):
Caterer or Banquet Manager: about 15% of the reception bill, or a small gift
Servers: if there is a "service charge" included in the total on your bill, then there's no need to give an additional tip. If a service fee is not included, figure the tip according to the number of waiters ($20 per server is about right).
Coat-Room and Restroom Attendants: if they don't receive a gratuity (check your bill), you might give them 50 cents-$1 per guest.
Bartenders: check for a service charge on the liquor bill. If there isn't one, you can leave 10% of the total bill for the bartenders.
Limousine Drivers: If the tip is not covered in the final bill, tip about 15-20% of the total.
Musicians: optional, but usually about $20-$25 each.
Photographer: optional, but usually about $20-$25.
Hair Stylists & Makeup Artists: tip the same 15-20% you would if you were getting your hair done on any other day.
Shoe Savings
To save money for the guys' attire, have them wear their own dress shoes instead of renting them from the tuxedo store. It will cost less and they'll be more comfortable.
Who Pays?
Tradition rarely dictates what happens in a wedding these days. Less than 40% of weddings are paid for along traditional lines. A majority of couples are paying for their own special day with parents pitching in where they wish. Most brides say that their parents are coming up with a cash contribution towards the wedding rather than footing the bill for the entire thing.
Most couples these days plan weddings which must be financed and most of them finance it themselves. You should contribute what you wish to contribute and feel no obligation to follow anyone else's guidelines.
When to Tip
Tips are nice, but keep in mind that they're keep in mind that tips shouldn't be an automatic given. Most of the vendors you use are providing a service for a previously determined fee. Before you tip anyone, make sure that you received the service you paid for. If you believe they did an especially great job, then feel free to tip.
Bridesmaids on a Budget
If you really want those designer bridesmaids' dresses that cost $300+, see if you can get a seamstress to copy the design. Often the cost will be just half of the designer gowns.
Quickie Cost Cutters: Food
Looking for a quick way of cutting costs? Try changing the reception from dinner to a brunch, an evening cocktail party or dessert reception---it can take a sizeable chunk off of your reception total.
Go with Greenery
If your reception hall is large and you don't have the budget to cover it in flowers, try using large potted shrubs or ficus trees, which can often be rented. Many people have their own fake ficus trees in their homes and offices---ask around, you can often borrow a dozen or more from friends and family, and they look charming decorated with tiny white lights.
Changing the Day
If you're on a tight budget, consider having your wedding anytime but on a Saturday evening. Saturday nights are generally the most expensive when it comes to banquet halls, catering, etc. You'll save a lot by having the wedding on another evening or even during the morning or afternoon.
Foregoing Flowers
If you're strapped for cash, try cutting out all but the most important flowers (such as the bride's bouquet) and using candles instead. They cost less and give weddings an incredibly romantic atmosphere.
Ax Some Appetizers
If you're having appetizers or hor d'oeurves at your wedding, consider nixing them altogether or cutting the variety in half. People don't notice how many kinds of appetizers there are, and between dinner and cake there's usually enough food to skip them.
Cutting Back on Attire
If you want to save money all around on attire, have the groom and groomsmen wear their own clothing---- dark suits work well for both informal and more formal weddings.
Beads on a Budget
Dresses that have lots of beading and sequins often cost more than unadorned styles. If you really want beads but are on a budget, buy a plain dress and have a talented friend or relative seamstress sew on the beads.
Cutting Centerpiece Costs
Instead of using costly flower arrangments for reception centerpieces, substitute potted flowers or flowers grown in baskets lined with moss---if you plan in advance, you can even grow them yourself!
Budgeting: Phase I
1) Find out who will be paying for your wedding and how much they can afford. You should establish your "bottom-line" first.
2) The next step is to fill in a sample budget with "guess-timates." For example, if your bottom line is $10,000, you would allow $1,500 for photography, $600 for a dress, $500 for flowers, $300 for a cake, $300 for stationary, $5000 for reception etc.
3) Now get actual estimates. Get at least three for each item and put them on a budget spreadsheet like in Excel.
Dress for Less
You can get excellent prices for a brand-new dress if you buy one from a bride who ended up not getting married. Check the web, local newspapers and consignment shops for never-worn gowns at good prices.
Limit the Maids
If you're on a tight budget, try to limit the number of attendants. It will reduce your flower bill (bridesmaid's bouquets can be very expensive), the number of attendant gifts that you'll have to purchase and the the cost of a bridesmaid luncheon and the rehearsal dinner.
In the Beginning
Before you do *anything* as far as wedding planning---visiting florists, interviewing photographers, anything at all---set a budget. Doing this before anything else is incredibly important, since if you don't your wedding costs could double or even triple.
To Market, To Market
On a really tight flower budget? Have your florist do a 'market' special, where she goes on the day of/before your wedding and uses whatever's on special/sale for that day.
More Dress $$-Saving Ideas
If you don't have a big dress budget but don't like the idea of renting a gown, you can try to find another white formal dress that will look just as pretty for far less money. White prom dresses, white bridemaids' dresses, and other white formals can start at just $100 and come in beautiful, affordable styles.
Dress Cost-Cutters
If you don't have a big dress budget, consider renting a dress from stores that also carry rental tuxedos, etc. This is a good, practical option if you're not sentimental and don't mind not keeping the dress you're married in.
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