Breaking Down Your Wedding Budget

Your wedding budget breakdown is one of the trickiest (yet most important) wedding planning tasks. Deciding upon this figure influences all of your other decisions. Venue, guest list, which meal options to select, and if you can spring for that pricey DJ. It’s essential you determine this figure accurately.
No matter your starting number, think about dividing your budget in terms of “for you” and “for them.” A budget begins with a guest list that determines most of your costs. Be prepared to spend the most (around 40%) on taking care of guests’ basic needs. That’s the venue, food and drinks. The remaining amount includes fixed costs like your planner, photographer, videographer and entertainment. Then, there’s the more logistical items. Things like transportation, labor, lighting, stationery, and anything else you’ve deemed essential.

Use the handy guide below as a rough outline for spending breakdowns. Then you can adjust according to your priorities.

Wedding Budget Breakdown

• Venue and Catering: 40% of your budget
• Photography and Videography: 15% of your budget
• Planning: 10% of your budget
• Music/Entertainment: 10% of your budget
• Flowers and Decor: 10% of your budget
• Wedding Attire and Beauty: 5% of your budget
• Transportation: 3% of your budget
• Stationery: 3% of your budget
• Favors: 2% of your budget
• Cake: 2% of your budget

Keep these questions in mind: Is your dream venue (or that dress, or important lilies, or whatever is currently weighing on your mind) non-negotiable for you? If it will put you over budget, cut down in another area that matters less to you. If it isn’t a deal-breaker, then find another pick that you’re sure to love just as much.

Create a Spreadsheet

To track your spending every step of the way. Create an Excel workbook or Google Doc. The important elements to include are listed above. Down the side of your document, break each category into its component’s costs. For example, under “Bride’s attire,” make line items for the dress, accessories, and alterations.

Fill in columns with essential information. Every spreadsheet should include vendor contract information, estimated cost, actual cost, additional service fees and tips, transportation and parking costs for off-site vendors, and taxes. Create a line for your grand total, and use the auto-sum function to add things up as you go.