Weddings can be expensive, but setting a budget doesn’t mean giving up your dreams! Here’s a list of the top ten things to keep in mind when planning how much money you want to spend.

Pool Funds

Although weddings can cost a lot, there’s no reason you can’t have the celebration you want. Start by determining how much money you have to work with—and who might be willing to help. While some couples pay for their weddings themselves, it’s not uncommon for family members or even friends to help.  

Choose an Off-Peak Day

One way to minimize cost is to choose an off-peak day of the week, which not only reduces the venue expense, but also the fees associated with most other vendors. More people are realizing how much they can save by going this route. If accommodating family and friends flying in for the wedding means you must have a Saturday wedding, keep in mind that an afternoon ceremony is completely acceptable. In the end it’s all about the memories!

Set Realistic Goals

Make sure to set a budget you’re comfortable spending in—and don’t exceed that amount. Overspending will lead to regret, something you definitely don’t want to associate with your wedding day!

Typical Budget

Expenditures associated with a typical wedding budget can be divided up as such:

Reception: 50%
Photography/Videography: 10% - 12%
Flowers: 5% - 10%
Attire: 5% - 10%
Entertainment/Music: 5% - 10%
Wedding Rings: 2% - 5%
Ceremony: 2% - 3%
Stationary: 2% - 3%
Parking/Transportation: 2% - 3%
Gifts: 2% - 3%

Miscellaneous: 5% - 8%

Guest List
If anything has the potential to grow in size as wedding planning commences, it’s the guest list. Not only will the both of you have family and friends you want to share your special day with, your parents will also.

One way to keep the list from bloating beyond what you can afford is to maintain an “A,” “B,” and even a “C” list. This way, if you have a lot of out-of-town guests who may or may not come, you can use your secondary lists to fill in for any declines. The only potential drawback is not having attrition when working with the venue or caterers, so make sure you plan accordingly.

And remember: It’s perfectly acceptable to mail a wedding announcement to distant relatives and not actually invite them!

Venue Comparison

By far the largest piece of the budget puzzle, deciding on a venue can take time, energy, and patience. One way to help is to create a comparison chart comparing what’s included and what isn’t. For example, some venues allow you to bring everything in, while others only offer all-inclusive packages. Typically, the more you’re willing to do yourself, the more money you’ll save, but you’ll have to consider if you want to be both the bride and the labor on your wedding day. And whenever possible, have your ceremony and reception in the same location. Not only will you spend less having one venue, you’ll also save on transportation costs.

Photography
This is one area where I caution couples not to be overly budget-conscious: Hiring a professional wedding photographer will ensure you end up with beautiful, quality, and lasting images from your special day. If possible, purchase the photographer’s CD as well—in a few years, you’ll be able to print the photos you want after first saving up some funds.

Flowers and Decoration
If your ceremony and reception are taking place at the same venue, the centerpieces can often be incorporated into your ceremony décor, thereby saving quite a bit of money. Ask your venue if they have a house centerpiece, and consider using those for one-third of your centerpieces—your bridal bouquets can then double as décor for your head table or bridal tables.

Another option is to use fresh flowers for centerpieces and artificial ones for elsewhere. There are also vendors who sell fresh flowers in bulk, allowing you to arrange them on your own. Just make sure the venue has a place to chill fresh flowers, otherwise you risk having to create the centerpieces the day before and having them wilt.

Lastly, another inexpensive option is to decorate using candles with colored water or submerged florals. Either way you go, you’ll be able to save money and time—and still create a fabulously decorated reception venue—by planning ahead and adhering to your budget parameters.

Entertainment
Your entertainment is a large part of what makes your party memorable. These days, many locations allow you to play an IPod, but going that route means not having an emcee, who can play a crucial role in maintaining the event’s overall flow. That said, not every DJ is experienced in this regard, and your overall priorities will determine whether or not you decide to hire one.

Miscellaneous

When considering your budget, it’s important to remember there are several miscellaneous expenses to consider, such as gifts for the bridal party; the officiant fee; transportation if using multiple venues; security fees and deposits, and others. Planning for them ahead of time allows for significant savings.

Remember: This is a special day for both of you! The amount of money you spend doesn’t determine how memorable your wedding is—the planning does.