The Ultimate Wedding Budget Guide
You’re Engaged!
Now you’re starting to think about planning your perfect day, it’s easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to think about and how much it will all cost, but don’t worry because Serendipity Events have pulled together our ultimate guide to planning your wedding budget, where your hard earned money should be spent and questions to ask yourself while you’re in the first phases of planning.
So, first things first, let’s work out how much you have to spend
It’s important to take the time, just the two of you, to sit down and discuss the two following questions:
How much do we want to spend?
Most couples have an idea in their head before they even start the process, so it’s important to ensure you’re both on the same page from the beginning.
How much can we afford?
What you’d like to spend and what you can afford may be very different, so follow our three step guide to work out an accurate figure that you can stick to:
Work backwards: Once you know roughly when you’re wanting to get married, work backwards from then to now, deciding how much you can both afford to save per month. It might be that you can both afford to save £500 per month each for 18 months, leaving you with a healthy £18,000 budget without any extra contributions.
Speak to your family: Every family is different, some may have been secretly putting a small amount away each year for your big day, some may want to contribute a certain figure and others may not be able to afford it, you won’t know until you have the conversation. Have a chat with your family early on so that you’re clear on whether you’ll have an extra contribution to factor into your planning.
Look at your savings: If you have some money put away then it’s important to decide if you’ll want to use any of this for your wedding day or keep it for something else. Either way, make sure you’re both on the same page and keep the lines of communication open with one another.
Now you have a realistic figure in mind, it’s time to start breaking it down
The logical next step after becoming engaged is looking for your perfect venue and setting a date, so it’s important to break your budget down beforehand so you can find a venue within your price range.
Below is our recommendation for how to break down your wedding budget:
We have created a free download for you to enter your exact budget in order to allocate the amount to each category here.
Venue - 15%
This is one of the most important allocations as it will set the tone for your entire day and truly allow your vision to evolve. Included in this cost should be the venue rental price and all the furniture you will require.
(this may need to include two venues if you are planning on getting married somewhere different to your reception)
Food - 15%
The next most important factor of your big day is feeding everyone! Every couple is different so you may choose to go with a 3 course plated meal, sharing style feast or a rustic buffet, whichever you choose will be the perfect choice for you as a couple and given it’s such a large part of the day, it’s important to allocate a hefty chunk of your budget to this.
This allocation should include: welcome and cocktail hour canapés, reception meal and any late night snacks you may want to provide.
Drinks - 8%
It’s no secret that the key to a good wedding is free flowing drinks, so remember that whether you are planning an open or cash bar, there are still drinks you will need to provide for your guests, including: welcome drink, cocktail hour drinks, reception drinks and champagne/prosecco for the toast. You’re venue may allow you to bring your own bottles however there is usually a corkage fee involved so be sure to check this when you’re looking for your venue.
Attire, hair and make up - 8%
Your photos will last a life time so you want to look your best! This allocation should include your dress and suit, shoes, bridesmaid and groomsmen attire, veil and hair piece, hair and make up, plus any additional treatments you may want before the big day such as your nails, eyelashes, waxing and more!
Wedding Planner - 8%
A wedding planner is an expert, confidant and advisor for all your wedding planning needs and questions. They are the discreet cornerstone of any wedding that ensures everything runs seamlessly and spectacularly, from setting up all your gorgeous Pinterest dreams while you get ready to managing your on-the-day timeline and clearing everything down afterwards while you enjoy married bliss.
Many venue’s offer a wedding co-ordinator on behalf of their location to help manage on-site logistics for the day, this does not include supplier management or co-ordination of things such as invitations and stationary, table decor, venue styling, flowers, lighting, sound, staging, musicians, your cake, photographer etc… so as you can see there is a lot to manage outside of their remit. While planning is key, so much of a wedding must also be taken care of in the lead up to and on the day itself during specific timings - we find most brides and grooms discover that they’d rather spend the best day of their lives together with their guests enjoying their magical occasion rather than juggling suppliers and questions.
Flowers and decor - 7%
You’ve found your perfect venue and organised the catering, the next job on the list is to find a florist who can turn all of those Pinterest boards into reality. This allocation should include: flowers for the ceremony, bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes, table decor and any other extras you may have in mind.
Photographer and videographer - 7%
It’s extremely important that you find a photographer and videographer who understands your vision and how you want to remember the day. We strongly recommend hiring a videographer in addition to your photographer as they’re able to capture the moments you may miss and turn them into a short video that you can watch over and over again. Our top tip for all couples is to create a list of photos that are absolute must haves, as once the day gets going it will all be a blur and they may not know how important it is for you to have a photo of the two of you with your grandparents/certain friends etc.
Music - 7%
Once the food is cleared away and people are wiping away their happy tears from the emotional speeches, everyone will be ready to get up and dance! Having a band at your wedding is the best way to get everyone up as they’re experienced in bringing the atmosphere and getting everyone onto the dance floor.
This allocation should include your ceremony music (string quartet/singer), music during your cocktail hour and meal, band and DJ.
Lighting, Sound and AV - 5%
No wedding is complete without the perfect light and sound, from outdoor festoon to disco lighting on your dance-floor, this section is very important and one that lots of couples may forget about until later down the line. Speak with your venue and band to find out what they can provide, anything else your planner will be more than happy to help you source.
This allocation should include: ambient lighting for the ceremony, reception and outdoors, party lighting, speakers for the ceremony and speeches, sound system for the band and any DJ equipment you may require.
Stationery - 5%
Your save the date and wedding invitation is the first thing your guests will experience about your big day, so it’s important to get all of the information you need onto them whilst making sure they set the tone for your big day. It’s important to note that stationery doesn’t stop there, this allocation should also include: postage and envelope costs, wedding signage, table plan, place settings and menu cards.
Hidden costs - 5%
There are so many hidden costs to a wedding that we’ll probably be writing a whole blog on them in the not too distant future! Make sure you keep 5% aside for many things you’ll need to pay out for such as: undergarments and accessories, hair and makeup trials, extra alterations, generators, feeding your vendors, overtime costs, delivery, set up and breakdown fees, VAT, gratuities and even a dance floor!
Rings - 3%
This goes without saying but best to include it in the budget just incase you forget! Your rings will be worn every day for the rest of your life so be sure to factor this cost in so you can ensure you get the wedding rings you love.
Transport - 2%
Depending on the venue you choose, you may need to hire cars to get to and from the ceremony, shuttle guests around or even flights to get to your destination, make sure to factor this into your budget early on!
Cake - 2%
We love wedding cakes!! Whether you have your heart set on a 5 tier extravaganza or a simple and elegant naked cake, the possibilities are endless and you will forever treasure the moment you and your new husband/wife cut the cake!
Your cake allocation should include: cake tasting, the design and delivery and any cake cutting costs the venue may charge. Our top tip for wedding cakes is to speak with your caterer about having your wedding cake as the desert as this can bring down the cost of your final catering bill - giving you more room to design the cake of your dreams.
Gifts and favours - 2%
Who doesn’t love a wedding favour?! And with the endless creative ideas Pinterest has given us, we’ve moved on from the sugared almonds of the past.
This allocation should include: bridesmaid and groomsmen thank you gifts, flowers for the bride and grooms parents and table favours.
Ceremony - 1%
Ceremony and officiant fees should not be forgotten about. Whilst they’re not too expensive, it can amount to around £500 for your marriage license and an officiant so be sure to factor this into your budget early on.
Here’s some common wedding budgets broken down into amounts. You can also use our free download to enter your exact budget and it’ll work out the allocations for you.
So there we have it, the ultimate Serendipity Events guide to your wedding budget. Remember though, you don’t have to stick to this religiously and if you decide to spend a little more on the band and less on the food, that’s absolutely your choice. We want to wish you the best of luck with the planning and all the best for your wedding day.
If you’re looking for a planner to help you get your head around the planning of your wedding, Serendipity Events would love to hear from you! Get in touch using the contact form, or give us a call on 0161 917 5666.