How did you tackle creating a budget for your wedding day? There are many different ways to approach budgeting and creating a financial plan for your wedding day. But, the bottom line in creating a budget is knowing where to start and with what to start with. As you plan your wedding, finances can create an added stress between you, your partner, and your family. As wedding coordinators and planners, we want to decrease that stress and one of the ways we do so is by sitting down with our clients and creating a manageable budget that is safe for our couples.

So, let’s talk about what line items to include in your overall wedding budget and how to stay within your budget! 

The first step to discuss is to figure out where your wedding budget will come from and how you will fund your wedding. In the past, it was a historical tradition that the bride’s family would fund the wedding budget. But, in modern times, many couples choose to ask both families or strictly use their own finances to create their budget. We think that it is important to remember that yes – your wedding day can be your Pinterest dream wedding, but you need to be realistic in what you can achieve. We never want to see our couples disappointed in what their wedding budget can offer, because there are ways to create your dream wedding on a budget. Sit down with your partner and discuss what you can financially afford. What do you have in savings now and what are you able to contribute each month to the wedding fund? Do you feel comfortable talking to your parents to discuss if there is a want to contribute to the wedding budget? These are the foundational questions when starting to build your wedding budget. Do not create a budget, without crunching the numbers of what you can actually afford. We never want to see our couples in a hard spot, or with added stress due to money. We also, never want to see their families’ financial status compromised due to supporting a dream money. So be realistic about setting the “number” for your wedding and whatever you decide, stick to it. Don’t plan the “what ifs” and think about what you can accomplish. 

Once you have your set number, there are some main pillars that will create your budget. We highly recommend hiring a wedding planner as the first portion of your budget, to help you navigate sticking to your budget. First, your wedding budget will determine the amount of people that can attend your wedding. We love our family and friends, but when it comes down to it, each person attending your wedding day is going to be an added cost on your wallet. Sit down with your partner and either choose a set number of guests and collaborate on who to invite, or pre-write your wedding guest list and tailor your guest amount from there. We highly suggest you set your budget and final number first, before even talking about wedding guests. You don’t want to do the opposite, because you may end up piling up debt due to your wedding day. 

Now, the bulk of your wedding budget will go towards the following: your venue, catering, photography, and if needed rentals. When locating and finding a venue, it is important to read the fine lines on what your venue includes. Does it just include the physical space? Will you need to bring rentals in, like tables and chairs for the ceremony and reception? This can be the largest part of your budget, so determining and finding a venue that fits your needs and budget is crucial. Once you’ve located your venue, before signing, be sure to ask if there are rules on preferred vendors. Many wedding venues will work with preferred vendors or a preferred vendor for catering. Catering can often be a budget breaker, so before signing the contract for the venue, reach out and/or research the preferred vendors for catering and determine what their prices are like. You definitely don’t want to book a venue that requires you to use a caterer outside of your budget. Once you’ve booked your venue and your caterer, go ahead and book your photographer. These items will be the largest part of your budget. When you create your budget, set most of your money to fund these areas. 

The smaller areas of your budget will be spread out throughout the year and not require substantial money upfront. You’ll want to create lines in your budget for decor, attire, transportation, and paper products. Decor can be broken down into a vendor for florists, centerpieces, reception, and ceremony area. Don’t be afraid to create and find decor that can be repurposed throughout the wedding sites. There are a lot of affordable options for creating and finding decor in all budgets. Don’t box yourself in and don’t take on too many DIY projects. Because, sometimes those DIY projects that we think will be a money and a time saver, actually end up costing more. 

As you plan your wedding budget, start at the foundation. Create your number with your partner and/or families and stick to it. If you need to adjust your budget throughout, do so, but do not spend above your means. You don’t want your wedding to be a financial burden for yourself, your partner, or your families. After setting lines for the major portions of wedding planning (venue, catering, rentals, and photography) , discuss what other factors are important and how much money you want to set aside for each. This can include florals, wedding attire, transportation, and your DJ. But, through all the planning, know that if you are stuck in the process anyway, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Wedding planners and coordinators can be a part of your wedding planning budget and we highly recommend hiring either a full-time planner or a wedding day coordinator to ease the stress and ensure that your event goes perfectly. At Elegant Affairs, we do offer a free consultation and we’d love to meet with you to discuss how we can help and if our services fit into your budget. So, if you’re newly engaged, reach out to us today! We’d love to help you plan your special day and budget away! Congratulations to all of our new couples – we can’t wait to see what 2024 has to offer you!

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.