Everything You Should Know About a Wedding Budget

A wedding budget is a serious part of preparing for your event. In order for a wedding to truly become the happiest day and bring maximum positive emotions, it is important to correctly draw up a wedding budget. In this article, we will tell you everything you should know about a wedding budget.

What are the main expense items of a wedding budget?

• Banquet organization (buffet, banquet menu, alcohol, cake)

• Decoration, floristry

• Contractor services (photographer, videographer, ceremony host, banquet host, technical support, show program, etc.)

• Transfer (car for the newlyweds, guest transfer, etc.)

• Expenses on creating wedding images (dress, veil, shoes, groom's suit, shirt, accessories, bridesmaid dresses, groom's friends' accessories)

• Wedding agency services

It is important to understand what actions you can take to minimize unnecessary wedding expenses without compromising your desires. 

How to organize a wedding within a limited budget?

You should start preparing as early as possible. It is better to start at least 5-6 months before the planned date. This will help you not only to calmly think through all the details and book a restaurant and contractors that you really like but also save a lot.

The wedding industry is developing more and more actively, and the number of wedding services and contractors is growing every day, in order to make a competent and rational choice, enlist the support of a wedding planner.

Don't chase fashionable and hot wedding dates

Indeed, on the hottest wedding dates, contractors do not raise their prices, but good and high-quality contractors do it very quickly. As a result, without having time to book the photographer or host you have long wanted, or for whom your budget was calculated, you will have to look for another one, who may be more expensive. If you plan a small celebration and your workload allows it - do it on a weekday. Many restaurants can offer a discount of up to 20% for ordering a banquet on a weekday. The cost of contractors' work on a weekday can also be significantly reduced, or you can get nice additional bonuses from them.

First of all, book a restaurant, photographer, videographer, and host.

These are the main positions without which no wedding can do. Here, a wedding agency will come to your aid again. Ask to make a list of restaurants in accordance with your wishes and the format of the event, with a description of the price of the average bill, the ability to bring your own alcohol, and detailed information about the additional services of the establishment. Be sure to visit the restaurants you like in person.

When choosing a photographer and videographer, you should not always rely on the concept of the more expensive, the better. There are now a sufficient number of professional photographers and videographers with different pricing policies. Choose a contractor whose style of work you like best.

When choosing a host, be sure to meet in person with those you like. This way you can learn more about the host's style of work and understand whether you will be comfortable working with this person. Consider the fact that any banquet requires technical support and a sound engineer. Most often, the host offers their own sound engineer with the necessary set of equipment. We recommend choosing this option, because this way you will be sure of the well-coordinated teamwork of the host and the sound engineer.

Also, do not forget about other small but essential expense items, such as transfers, ordering a cake, gifts for guests, renting rooms for the bride and groom to get ready, and renting a room for the first wedding night.

A well-written schedule of the day and a banquet scenario will help you save money. Having thought through all the stages of the wedding day in detail, taking into account possible force majeure circumstances, you will not have to overpay for waiting or additional hours of work

5 things you can save on when organizing a wedding

Reduce the number of guests.

Think carefully about the list of guests. A wedding is exclusively your holiday. You are not obliged to invite someone you have met once in your life just because they are your relatives. Also, don’t invite guests "out of politeness." By removing 8-10 such guests from the list, you can save a significant amount of money.

Change the format

A good wedding doesn’t necessarily have to be lush and luxurious. Lately, there has been an increasing trend towards weddings in a party format. Such a celebration will not only be remembered by guests for its relaxed atmosphere but will also help you save a significant amount.

Minimize the show program

Guests came to your wedding, not a concert. Of course, it is crucial to make a bright program. However, when choosing artists for the show program, it is better to focus on several bright numbers.

Give up designer outfits

Most of your guests will probably never know that you were wearing a dress from a famous designer. It doesn’t matter at all whether this dress is from Vera Wang or sewn in a studio. The main thing is that it fits you perfectly and emphasizes the whole image.

Decor and live floristry

Of course, decor and floristry are an integral part of your wedding. They will help you convey the concept and idea of ​​​​the celebration. When choosing a style, focus on the one that best suits the style of the location. This will help save on complex designs. Replace live floristry with artificial in those areas where it is acceptable (arch, photo zone, etc). When choosing floristry, focus on seasonal flowers.

5 things you can’t save on when organizing a wedding

Photographer and videographer

These are the people who will turn the pleasant memories of your day into high-quality photos and videos. You will want to review the photos and wedding video many years later. It is very important that even after a long period of time, you can remember the most vivid events of your wedding. Don’t refuse professional contractors; to save money, it is better to reduce their working hours.

Host

This person sets the atmosphere and mood of the entire banquet part. You should not refuse a professional host in favor of a more budget option. In case something goes wrong, the mood of your guests and, accordingly, yours will be spoiled.

Good food and quality alcohol

Indeed, you should choose a restaurant within your budget, but it is essential not to skimp on quality. Be sure to read reviews about the cuisine and try to go there at least once as a guest. If you buy alcohol yourself, do it only in trusted stores.

Makeup and hairdo for the bride

You have dreamed of this day since childhood and, of course, have played out your image in your head a thousand times. Don't let unprofessional makeup artists and stylists ruin it. Also, do not count on yourself or a friend who knows how to do makeup well. Wedding makeup and hairdo should be done exclusively by professionals. Find a good master, and be sure to do a trial makeup and hairdo.

Your dreams and memories

You should not save on your own dreams and good memories. If you dreamed of inviting an artist to your wedding or making a surprise in the form of fireworks or a gift. Try to find a place for this in your budget. After a few years, your guests and you will forget the design elements, the brand of the car, or the jokes of the host, but you will never be able to forget the pleasant memories.