Wedding Budget - ExploreSpring.com

It is no longer expected that wedding costs will be assigned according to tradition. The bride and groom should discuss their plan and budget for the wedding with their families to determine whether to follow a traditional division of financial responsibility for the wedding costs.

Establishing a wedding budget is the first, and most important, step of the planning process.

Look over the following expense categories. Then prioritize the categories by determining which elements of your wedding celebration are most important to you (example: We want to have funds for a videographer so we will cut back on...).

Determine the financial resources available to you and your fianc� from your own funds and from family. Allocate ample budget for the important items.

Your wedding reception will probably be the most costly part of your plan. Be realistic. Don�t expect to get great food and service for take-out" prices. If you have to make cuts, reduce the size of your guest list, not the quality of your party.

Don�t be surprised or concerned if your budget priorities and allocations shift during the early stages of the budgeting process. Just be sure to stay within total-budget bounds and to use a pencil for the first round!.

You may want to hire a Bridal Consultant to help you. A Consultant's knowledge of the local wedding industry can help you to save time and money!

Bride

Personal stationery
Groom�s wedding ring
Wedding gift for groom
Gifts for bridal party
Gowns for bridal party (optional)
Accommodations for out-of-town members of bridal party (optional)
Luncheon for bridal party
Gift for parents (optional)

Bride�s Family

Engagement party
Wedding gift for newlyweds
Wedding reception costs
Wedding ceremony facility costs, including decorations
Bride�s wedding apparel and trousseau
Bride�s parents� wedding apparel
Invitations, announcements, thank-you notes, postage
Wedding ceremony programs
Engagement and wedding photographs
Videographer
Musicians/vocalists
Bridal party bouquets and flowers for flower girl
Flowers for ceremony and reception
Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
Security and insurance for gifts
Welcome party for out-of-town guests (optional)

Bridal Party Members

Bridal shower for bride
Wedding apparel and shoes
Accommodations for self

Groom

Bride�s engagement and wedding rings
Bride�s bouquet and going-away corsage
Wedding gift for bride
Honeymoon
Boutonnieres for men in wedding party
Mothers� corsages
Gifts for best man, groomsman, and ushers
Groomsmen�s apparel (optional)
Accommodations for out-of-town members of groom�s party (optional)
Marriage license
Fee for officiant
Gift for parents (optional)

Grooms Family

Engagement party (optional; following party by bride�s parents)
Groom�s personal stationery and thank-you notes
Groom�s wedding apparel
Groom�s parents� wedding apparel
Rehearsal dinner
Wedding gift for newlyweds
Shipment of wedding gifts to couple�s new home
Welcome party for out-of-town guests (optional)

Grooms Party Members

Bachelor party
Wedding apparel and shoes
Accommodations for self

Accessories for reception

Cake knife & server
Cake topper
Guest book & pen
Toasting flutes
Flower girl/Ringbearer accessories
Favors for guests/cameras

Gifts

Bridesmaids
Groomsmen & Ushers
Parents
Other participants

Wedding Coordination

Bridal consultant
Event insurance
Gift insurance

Additional Expenses

Tax on products & services
Tips for vendors

Optional Expenses

Wedding party accommodations
Bridesmaids� gowns
Flower girl�s dress
Groomsmen�s formalwear
Ringbearer�s formalwear
Bridal party luncheon

Don't forget

Bride�s engagement ring
Bride�s wedding ring
Groom�s wedding ring

Videographer

Wedding package fee
Video copies

Flowers

Bride�s bouquet
Bridesmaids� bouquets
Boutonnieres/corsages
Ceremony site flowers
Reception site flowers
Flower girl�s flowers

Music/Entertainment

Ceremony
Reception

Transportation

Limousine service
Transportation for guests
Other transportation

Health & Beauty

Hair & make-up
Manicure/pedicure
Spa/skincare

Stationery

Invitations/Reply cards
Wedding programs
Thank you notes
Announcements
Maps/Save the date cards
Postage

Reception

Catering/food servers/tax/gratuity
Facility rental
Rental equipment/decorations
Beverages/bar/corkage fee
Cake/cake cutting fee

Ceremony

Facility rental
Officiate fee
Marriage license
Rental equipment� decorations

Apparel (Bride)

Bridal gown
Headpiece/veil
Shoes
Lingerie/Hosiery
Jewelry
Alterations

Apparel (Groom)

Groom�s formalwear
Accessories (shoes, cufflinks, etc.:

Photographer

Wedding package fee
Prints/album
Engagement portrait/prints
Wedding portrait/prints

Other

Please add other items you would like to have included for your wedding.