How To Plan A Wedding Budget

Planning your wedding is quite a daunting task and romance can be subjected to the harsh reality of the budgeting that has to be done. This is the first and foremost step that will decide everything that is to come later. So if you are having some trouble completing this dreaded task, here are a few tips that can help.

This first step is where many falter because money is going to be a cause for all tensions and frustration if you have to ask your parents for it. If they are willing to contribute, sometimes strings can be attached. They may become unhappy about certain choices and, in the bargain, try to restrict your choices because they want to direct their money towards something which is not what you have in mind.

The planning of your wedding budget and putting everything down in black and white will help you to see the bigger picture and know how to exactly allocate the funds correctly. So if you need to start, what should be your first step?

Of course you are very excited and wish to have everything planned to perfection. So at this point, we are just trying to get a handle on how much the wedding ceremony will cost and where the reception will be. Sit down with your fiancé and try to agree on the basic details. If you specifically dreamed of having a three tiered cake for your wedding, then say so. When ideas are bounced back and forth between the two of you, there will emerge a stable ground for both of you to stand on instead of regretting anything later or having misinformation.

Now after you have at least a basic plan, meet each others parents. You can choose to have this meeting with both sets of parents together or separately. Leave out any extra people like the maid of honor or the best man if they are not going to help with the finances. The reason you must meet your parents and let them know what is on your mind is to make clear certain facts about the guests you will invite and the planning to be done. If you are paying for the wedding yourselves, it may not be possible to have 500 guests at the wedding ceremony.

Now begins the stage that you may want to opt out of, but is very, very important. Parents will each have their own dreams and hopes for their child's wedding, so there may be differences of opinions. Calmly sit down and sort everything out. Also, make sure not to offend anyone. This is a very delicate situation.

Next, start with the actual number crunching. Figure out the total amount that you are going to have to work with. Now from this figure, subtract an amount that you will need to set aside for last minute expenses.

Sit down with your fiancé and come up with what you would like to spend on the day's important features. Here are some guidelines.

· Wedding and Engagement Rings (15%)


· Wedding Dress and Veil (5%)


· Wedding Reception (Site, Ceremony and Catering) (35-37%)


· Photographer/Videographer (10%)


· DJ/Band/Entertainment (4%)


· Invitations/Stationery (4%)


· Flowers (8-10%)


· Cake (3-5%)


· Wedding Party Gifts (2%)


· Rehearsal Dinner (2%)


· Decorations (3%)


· Transport (2%)


· Tuxedos (1%)


· Pre-Wedding Parties (3%)

Yes, there is more and you have to find a way to introduce these into your budget. Things like beauty salon appointment, marriage documents, and jewelry must be accounted for. Also, don't forget expenses like alterations, dry cleaning, wedding favors, and the honeymoon.

The list can seem endless! You will have to keep adding to this as you go along. However, these figures are an average, if there is something that is important to the both of you, feel free to go ahead and allocate more for that. Start modeling your budget.

Congratulations! You should be proud, you have just done what most bride and grooms loathe, but what is most important. Planning the remainder will be fun!