Wedding Budget Tips 101
We hear it all the time: the cost of wedding planning is so expensive! And yes, this is true. There is no doubt about that. However, there are ways to limit spending or allot for bigger expenses. Of course, your wedding budget will depend on your priorities for the day! With the right mindset and approach, you can have the wedding budget of your dreams without breaking the bank. As a wedding and event planner in Central New York, I’ve helped countless couples navigate the cost of wedding planning with ease. Whether you’re looking for wedding budget tips, budget-friendly wedding ideas, or simply ways to help you budget wisely, this guide will set you up for success.
Step 1: Determine Your Total Wedding Budget
The first step in creating a wedding budget is determining how much money you have for your wedding! Seems overly simple; however, many couples skip this step, spend money right out of the gate, and then realize (too late!) they blew their funds on an ice luge without booking a caterer.
Income to Consider for Wedding Budget Includes:
- Personal funds from you and your partner – current + future paychecks.
- Any financial assistance from family members (Not expected, but always a plus!)
- Potential savings before the wedding date
- Other sources of income or financial gifts (Again, gifts are not expected, and not something to rely on for your budget since these generally come after the wedding. Butttt they certainly help!)
Once you have a clear number, you can begin to allocate funds to different aspects of your wedding. Remember, transparency is key with your partner!
Step 2: Prioritize Wedding Budget Must-Haves
So how much to budget for each category?! Every couple has different priorities when it comes to their wedding day. Some may dream of an elaborate floral arrangement, while others want an amazing photographer and videographer. Or maybe your top wedding budget item is some banging food with a top-tier caterer in the Central New York area. Make a list of your top three must-have big-ticket items. Divvy out a significant portion of your budget to those areas. This ensures you’re investing in what truly matters to you and allows for flexibility in other areas. BONUS wedding budget tip– Have an “oops” fund to plan for hidden or unknown costs of wedding planning. This doesn’t have to be extravagant (5-10%), but better to be prepared!
Step 4: Research & Compare Vendors That Work Within Your Wedding Budget
Once you have your wedding budget categories set, start researching vendors. Request quotes from multiple vendors in each category (photography/film, food, dj, venue– these are the bigger ticket items) and compare prices. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you are looking to book! Does your photographer offer a discount if you use them for a videography too? Get creative in asking for customizable packages. Ask for cash in-full discounts! Some vendors may be willing to work within your wedding budget if you communicate your needs clearly. Pinching a little here and there can really add up to something fun like a late night pizza party or a photobooth!
Step 5: Explore Budget-Friendly Wedding Ideas
- Go Digital with Online Invitations + RSVPs
- Go digital. Digital invitations are often cheaper, if not free. Not only are you saving on printing costs, but also on postage ($0.73/per stamp!). Don’t get me wrong, I love printed invitations. Designing custom invites is a fun way to showcase your personalities! If you’re truly bent on a snail mail invite or save the date, consider sending a postcard; the postage is significantly cheaper ($0.56/per stamp). Either way, keeping track of RSVPs online is THE way to go! Consider setting up an account on The Knot or making an email specific to your wedding for guests to send in their RSVP.
- Opt for a smaller guest list to cut costs
- Since COVID forced smaller party sizes, “micro” weddings are less of a hot take and more of a hot trend! You will be feeding fewer people (starting cost per person is often $30!), opting for fewer favors (more on that later), etc. Does your Great Aunt Sally from Georgia who you haven’t seen since Uncle George passed in ‘05 reallyy need to attend your wedding day?
- Contemplate a smaller wedding party.
- In the same line of thinking, shrink your wedding party. This is a HUGE cost of wedding planning that many couples forget until after they’ve asked their 10 besties with personalized gift boxes ($$!) and custom Yetis. Slim down the number of people you have in your party, and you won’t need to spend as much on gifts, hair/makeup, dresses, belts, ties, shoes, bachelor(ette) party items, etc. We love and appreciate the people in our tribe, but if you are looking for budget-friendly wedding ideas, this one is a no brainer. As of late, many couples are opting to stand solo in front of their guests!
- Consider nixing the favors.
- Wedding favors, while a thoughtful way to say “thank you” to your guests, are often left behind. This is a controversial budget-friendly wedding idea, but if you want to give a token of appreciation, consider something useful without your initials on them! 🙂 In my years of event coordination and wedding planning, people don’t want a mug with your wedding date or initials! While your wedding day/month/year is significant to you, the coaster, coozie or magnet is not to your guest. Consider spending that favor money on something like late night snacks or fireworks; something your guests will enjoy right then + there in a far more memorable way.
- Opt for an off-peak date.
- Weddings that take place between December and April (or even during the week, like a Thursday or Friday) often come with cheaper venue costs. You might even ask the venue if you could book for an atypical different time. What would a brunch instead of a dinner look like? If you change the timeline of events, would that help make the wedding a budget-friendly wedding? Unconventional? Yes. Will this reduce the cost of wedding planning? Also, yes. This is such a practical, but overlooked budget-friendly wedding idea.
- Choose alternative venues like parks or community centers.
- Many local parks are rentable for day use for $500, as are community centers or fire department/VFW halls. Ask around!
- Hire a Wedding Planner
- Hire a wedding planner?! Seems a bit counter-intuitive, but actually, we are experts in the industry, saving you money, time, and stress in the long-run! Want to sit down + chat about your wedding day vision? Fill out our contact form here.
Step 6: Track Wedding Budget Your Spending
Making a wedding budget is easy, but sticking to one? Yikes. Make use of budgeting tools and spreadsheets. Many couples have great experiences with The Knot! A good ole’ fashioned Google Sheet document works too – find what works best for you + commit. Keep receipts and invoices, monitor your expenses and adjust your wedding budget categories (not the total amount!) as needed. For instance, if you spend more than intended on the photographer, then maybe cut back on your head table decor/centerpieces. Plus, I personally think receipts are a fun addition to your wedding scrapbook for your future 65 year old selves to reminisce about “…way back in our day…!”
Step 7: Plan for Unexpected Expenses in the Wedding Budget
I mentioned this earlier, but set aside funds for the “unknowns” ahead of time (5-10%). Future you will be so happy you did! After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. (Although refer to Step 4– ask for many quotes ahead of time so you understand the costs of wedding planning!)
One expense many couples forget when considering the cost of wedding planning is transportation. If you’re okay with the aesthetic, school buses are cheaper than charter buses. If a large contingency of guests are staying at the same location that is separate from the venue, it would be very hospitable to arrange a shuttle. However, transportation is not cheap (I’m talking at least $1,500!), so make sure you’ve budgeted for the wedding expense.
Wedding Budget Tips Wrap-Up
These essential wedding budget tips (like actually creating + sticking to a wedding budget!) should help you pinch a penny and prioritize your main expenses. Regardless if you utilize any of the budget-friendly wedding ideas above, know what is MOST important on your wedding day– meaningful elements over extravagant spending. People rarely remember your centerpieces, what socks the groomsmen wore or if the cake flavor was cannoli. People DO remember how the day felt + the time they had! Make this day truly about you, AND within your budget.
Questions? Let’s chat! In < 1 minute, you can be in my books for a consultation! Fill out the contact form here.
