BUDGET GUIDE
Donna Cheung Photography
CONTENTS 4 Wedding Budget FAQs 8 How to Break it Down 9 8 Easy Way to Help Your Guests Save Money 10 Money Saving Tips from the Experts 12 The Tipping Guide
After the thrill of your engagement has settled down, it’s time to start planning your wedding—and that means nailing down your budget. You may be a little overwhelmed at trying to figure out how much you can spend (and sticking to it!), but never fear, WeddingWire is here! This handy guide will answer your budget questions and provide money-saving tips to help you keep on track. Enjoy, and happy planning!
W E D D I N G B U D G E T FAQ s H OW DO I KNOW H OW M U CH A WED DING SHOU LD COST? You may often hear the statistic that the average wedding in the U.S. costs around $28,000. Remember, that’s an average—so there are many people who spend a good deal more than that, and many who spend less. It also varies widely from state to state. Your budget should reflect the amount of money you and your contributors (parents in most cases), can afford to spend right now. Many couples assume that they’ll be able to save a ton more money during their engagement, but in the end, you should only pay what you’re comfortable with at the time of your engagement.
55.8%
of couples base their initial budget on the amount of money they currently had available
35.2%
of couples found that determining how much all of the components of a wedding actually cost was very difficult Arden Photography
WH O S H O U L D PAY FO R M Y W E D D I N G? More than a third of couples pay for their entire weddings themselves, but most couples receive at least some contributions from family members—usually parents. It all depends on your family situation. Remember, though, if a family member contributes money, he or she gets a say in the wedding-planning decisions. And don’t assume that your parents (or your future spouse’s parents) will contribute financially—have an open and honest discussion with them about their willingness to pay and what they’re comfortable spending. Find out who traditionally pays for what in a wedding »
BUDGET ETIQUETTE TIP
As the hosts, you, your spouse, and if applicable, your families, are responsible for footing the bill—not your guests. Your guests should not be charged an “entrance fee” to attend your wedding, or be expected to give you a cash gift of a certain amount to cover their plate.
S O I H AV E M Y TOTA L B U D G E T. NOW WH AT ? H OW D O I K NOW HOW M U C H I S H O U L D S PE ND O N T HE D I FFE RE NT PA RTS O F M Y WE D D I N G? Reserve about half of your budget for your reception venue and catering—that’s typically where couples spend the most. As for the rest LE of the expenses, you can spend and splurge UP O C AL depending on your priorities. “You RE AD
V
F ICE
A
will likely go over budget, so budget low to give yourself a buffer.”
M RO
- Amanda and Michael, married in Falmouth, Massachusetts
T HE AVERAGE SPEND FO R A V E N UE/CATER ING BY R EGION NEW E N G L A N D / M ID -ATLA N TIC $ 2 0,000 W EST $13,00 0 MIDWE ST $12 ,0 0 0 SO U T H $11, 5 0 0 SO U T H WE ST $ 1 1 ,0 0 0
Keepsake Memories Photography
RANGE O F S PE ND I NG DRESS FLOWERS MUSIC PHOTO V E N U E + C AT E R I N G WEDDING RINGS
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
W HAT’S THE O NE EASY T HI NG I CAN DO TO SAVE M ON EY ON M Y W EDDING? Cut 10 people from your guest list. Weddings are usually priced on a “per head” basis, so the more people you have, the more expensive your wedding will be. Cutting just 10 people can make a huge difference in your budget. One more: Cut back on the alcohol. Offering a full bar can be a major budget buster, but if you simply provide wine, beer, and a signature cocktail, you’ll be able to save a bundle. 5 Ways to Cut Your Guest List »
6 THE BUDGET GUIDE | WEDDINGWIRE.COM
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$16,000
$16,500
T H E TO P 3 H I G H E R-THA N E X PE C T E D WE D D I NG C OSTS
FLOWERS
ALCOHOL
FOOD
A REAL COUPLE M O F R “Pick a budget and E C stick to it. My dad gave VI D us a set budget and I made A sure we did not go over. There are so many things that people spend way too much money on and the guests never even remember those details.” - Kristyn and Mike, married in Severna Park, Maryland
R EAL C O U PL E S T E LL A LL : WH AT WAS YO UR WE D D I NG -DAY S PLU RG E ?
Claire Dobson Photography
Veronica Varos Photography
Diana Lupu Photography
SA R A H + CAS EY
SARAH + WE SLE Y
ME LISSA + BR O DY
N OVATO, CAL I FO R N I A
FRAN K L IN , P EN N SYLVAN IA
WEL L IN GTO N , FLORIDA
SPLURGE // ATTIRE
SPLURGE // PHOTOGRAPHER
SPLURGE // HONEYMOON
“I was very fortunate to be able to save on our venue and splurge on my attire. I always knew I wanted to wear Vera Wang and am so grateful to have had not one, but two, of her creations that day.”
“Splurge on your photographer! Those pictures are the visual mementos that you're left with, so make sure they're amazing!”
“It's nice to have a great evening with your loved ones, but it all becomes a blur and only lasts a few hours. Our 10day honeymoon in Africa was so magical, relaxed and I can recall every minute.”
—Sarah
—Sarah
—Melissa
S E E M O RE »
W HAT ARE SO M E EXPENSES I’ M PROBABLY NOT FAC TO RI NG IN TO MY BUDGET?
H OW D O I K E E P T RAC K O F H OW M U C H I ’M S PE ND I NG?
Most couples don’t think about tips when they’re creating their budget, but it’s a biggie. It’s appropriate to tip certain vendors 10 to 20 percent of their bill, which can definitely add up.
Use a budget tool that will do all of the math for you instead of playing with spreadsheets. Just be sure to update it regularly (you may become a little obsessive, but that’s actually a good thing).
TIPPING CHART »
MORE EXPENSES YOU MIGHT FORGET »
We happen to know of a great (free!) budget tool we think you’ll love »
AN D IF YO U H APPEN TO G O OV E R BUDGET, YO U’ RE NOT A LO NE ...
74%
of couples go over budget
10%
of couples stay on budget
16%
of couples come in under budget
A DV I C E F R O M A REAL COUPLE “Work a full-time planner into your budget. They will help you make the big decisions, and keep you within your budget.” —Claire and John, married in Pelham, Alabama
HOW TO B REA K IT DOWN Once you have your budget in place, you’ll have to figure out how to divvy it up. This chart is a good starting point, but remember— these percentages are based on averages and you should adjust based on your needs.
39%
CATERING
12%
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
9%
CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE
8%
FLOWERS
8%
MUSIC (CEREMONY & RECEPTION)
8%
WEDDING DRESS
3%
INVITATIONS
2%
CAKE
2%
WEDDING RINGS
2%
CHUNK OF YOUR WEDDING PLANNER
1%
TRANSPORTATION
1%
FAVORS & GIFTS
1%
OFFICIANT
1%
HAIR, MAKEUP & BEAUTY
1%
GROOM’S TUXEDO
2%
THE BIGGEST WEDDING WILL TYPICALLY BE SPENT ON
ADDL COSTS
8 THE BUDGET GUIDE | WEDDINGWIRE.COM
CATERING!
8 E ASY WAYS TO HELP YO UR GUESTS SAV E MONEY
1
2
3
Book hotel room blocks
Provide hotel options
Be flexible with attire
Hotels will often provide group rate discounts to guests who book through a pre-booked room block GET STARTED HERE »
Some guests may want to splurge on accommodations, but make sure to offer a few affordable options as well
Don’t force your guests to wear specific attire so they don’t have to buy something new (unless they want to!)
4
5
6
Provide plenty of registry gift options
Avoid holiday weekends
Host ceremony and reception in one place— or within walking distance…
Traveling on holidays tends to be more expensive than other times of the year
Register for gifts at different price points to make everyone happy
Will save everyone money on renting cars or using public transportation
7
8
…or provide shuttles when necessary
Send savethe-dates early
It’s an extra expense for you, but will be a huge help to your nearest and dearest
Provide enough advance notice to help everyone save on travel
9
MONEY SAVING TIPS F R OM TH E EX PERTS We asked wedding professionals from around the country to share their top tips to help you save money on your wedding! Check out their creative ideas here:
Margeaux Boles Photography
FLORIST “Use the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets to decorate your head table. This will save you quite a bit of money from not having to purchase centerpieces to decorate this very long table!” – Cheryl Ann, Cheryl Ann Floral Design, Pennsylvania
V EN UE “Have your wedding on a Sunday through Thursday— it can mean big savings!” – Rita Howard, Crown Winery LLC, Tennessee
10 THE BUDGET GUIDE | WEDDINGWIRE.COM
IN VITATION S “Print your wedding invitation in thermography versus the more expensive engraving or letterpress.” – Marjorie Maxfield, Tanglewood Gifts and Stationery, Texas
P LAN N E R “Be ruthless with the headcount. This is your day, not your mother’s, not your coworkers’. Only invite the people you absolutely can’t imagine having that day without.” – Julie Painter, Dallas Girl Friday, Texas
PLA N N ER
DJ
“To save money on meals have your wedding in the morning and serve brunch, or try a late afternoon cocktail reception.”
“Attend bridal shows! Many DJs will offer promotions and discounts for show guests that you can benefit from.”
– Jacqueline Vazquez, Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, New York
– Troy Adams, Carolina DJ Professionals, North Carolina
P HOTOG RAP HE R REN TA LS “Take advantage of a venue with beautiful scenery or a lush garden which can cut down on the amount of decor you need.” – Lane Bigsby, Something Borrowed Portland Vintage Rentals, Oregon
“Be honest about your budget and don’t be afraid to ask for the availability of discounts. You could get one for holding your event during the off season, or on a different day, but did you know a lot of photographers also have military, firefighter and police discounts, too?” – Liz Enriquez-Phillips, Luke & Liz Phillips Photography, California
PHOTOGRA PHER “Book early. Some photographers offer discounts for booking early or if the total package is paid in full at booking.” – Ann Blake, Ann Blake Photography, Pennsylvania
CAK E “Use buttercream frosting, not fondant, to ice your cake. Buttercream is just as beautiful and less expensive—plus it tastes so much better” – Elizabeth Bolton, A Little Something Bakery, Connecticut
11
THE TIPPING GUIDE Figuring out how much to tip your wedding vendors can be tricky, but it’s an important way to show your appreciation for their hard work. Check out our helpful tips and handy chart to help you figure out who to tip, and how much.
A FEW RULES
CHECK FOR INCLUDED GRATUITIES
Be sure to read all of your vendor contracts carefully. Some vendors, particularly caterers and transportation companies, will automatically include their gratuities for you to pay in advance.
OWNERS: TO TIP OR NOT TO TIP?
Tradition dictates that you do not have to tip a vendor who is the owner of their business. But, you may certainly show your appreciation for a wonderful job with a gratuity of 10 – 20%, or even a small gift.
SAY THANK YOU
Your vendors will certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness in providing tips, but it’s also a nice gesture to write a personal thank-you note to each vendor, and review them on WeddingWire after your event.
WHEN TO TIP
Tip your vendors after the services have been completed—so this typically means at the end of your wedding. While you can give out the tips yourself, you might want to enlist a family member, close friend, or wedding planner to handle this task.
12 THE BUDGET GUIDE | WEDDINGWIRE.COM
13
READ MORE BUDGET ADVICE ON
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON WEDDING FLOWERS
5 EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
Tyler Jones Photography
Rebecca Yale Photography
7 WEDDING EXPENSES YOU MIGHT FORGET
SAVING MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING VENUE
E.C. Campbell Photography
aperture photography
5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING CAKE
HOW TO CREATE A WEDDING BUDGET
ENV Photography
The Grays Photography