Setting a reasonable budget is the first step in any succesfful event plan. It helps to ask yourself questions...

• Where is the money coming from?
• What can you afford?
• Where are your priorities?
• How large is your guest list?

Once you have all this in order, you can allocate the budget. The hardest part is sticking to it. You have to be strict with yourself.

Sample Budget-Where does all that money go?

Below you will find a breakdown of the budget. Keep in mind that you should put the necessary budget towards the things that are the most important to you first.

Ceremony- Approximately 5%
- Ceremony site fee, officiant’s fee & gratuity, guest book & pen, ring bearer’s pillow, flower girl’s basket

Wedding Attire- Approximately 10%
- Bridal gown, alterations, headpiece & veil, gloves, jewelry, stockings, garter, shoes, hairdresser, make-up artist, manicure & pedicure, groom’s formal wear

Photography- Approximately 9%
- Bride & Groom’s album, parents’ albums, extra prints, proofs & previews, negatives, engagement photograph, formal bridal portrait

Videography- Approximately 5%
- Main video, titles, extra hours, photo montage, extra copies

Stationary- Approximately 4%
- Invitations, response cards, reception cards, ceremony cards, pew cards, seating/place cards, maps, programs, announcements, thank you notes, stamps, calligraphy, napkins, & matchbooks

Reception- Approximately 33%
- Reception site fee, Hors d'Oeuvres, entrée, liquor/beverages, bartending & set-up fees, vendor meals, gratuity, party favors, disposable cameras, bathroom baskets, & gift baskets

Music- Approximately 5%
- Ceremony music, soloist, reception music
- Keep in mind, bands are more expensive than DJ’s

Bakery- Approximately 2%
- Wedding cake, groom’s cake, cake delivery & set-up fee, cake top & cake knife & toasting glasses

Flowers- Approximately 6%
- Bouquets: bride’s, tossing, maid of honor, bridesmaids, flower girls
- Corsages: mothers’, honor attendant, other family members
- Boutonnieres: groom’s, best Man, ushers, other family members
- Ceremony flowers: main altar, altar candelabra, unity candle, aisle pews, ceremonial/ remembrance, aisle runner
- Reception site: head table, guest tables, buffet tables, cake & cake table, cake knife, toasting glasses, floral delivery & set-up

Decorations- Approximately 3%
- Table centerpieces (not flowers), balloons

Transportation- Approximately 2%
- Transportation & gratuity

Rental Items- Approximately 3%
- Bridal slip, ceremony accessories, table linen, chair covers, sound system

Gifts- Approximately 3%
- Bride’s & Groom’s gifts, bridesmaids’ & ushers’ gifts

Parties- Approximately 4%
- Bridesmaids’ luncheon, rehearsal dinner

Miscellaneous- Approximately 4%
- Newspaper announcements, marriage license, bridal gown & bouquet preservation