Bridal

Steal our guide on creating your wedding budget

Working out the budget for a couple who’s about to get married is a daunting but vital task. As a wedding planner, creating a wedding budget breakdown is the first step in helping a couple through their matrimonial journey.

Weddings can be low budget and DIY, or they can be extravagant events that run six figures and more. It all depends on who is getting married. Money is a touchy subject, but being frank about costs and measuring expectations will make planning much more manageable.

But where do you begin? There’s so much to consider, but here is a guide to help get you started. Think of it as a wedding planning budget checklist.

Prioritize the Wedding Budget Breakdown

One of the most challenging things you’ll have to deal with is balancing both parties’ priorities. Maybe the bride is more focused on the location while the groom is more concerned about the band and bar.

The best way to navigate this is to ask each person separately their top three budget priorities. If any of them match, great! If some are similar enough to be combined, such as the desire for an open bar and a buffet-style dinner service so guests can relax, even better.

However, if they are leagues apart, the art of negotiation will begin. It’s your job as the planner to make sure the wedding budget breakdown makes sense. It’s also your job to make sure your couple gets as many things on their wishlist as is possible within budget.

It’s a hard job, but you can do it.

Don’t be afraid to lean into outside resources, like experts in the industry like the folks behind the podcast Weddings on a Budget.

The Rings

Silver? Gold? Diamonds? Ask your clients about what they want to do about the rings. If they’re going to transform the engagement ring into a wedding ring, that will most likely cost less than buying an entirely new band.

If they’re going to want custom-made wedding bands, make sure they’re aware of how much that kind of work will cost. Not to dissuade them, but to inform.

The Dress and Groom’s Attire

One of the higher ticket items if, of course, what the happy couple will be wearing. There are plenty of brides who may want to wear a hand-me-down dress, make their own, or wear one that has been in the family.

Then there are brides who can’t imagine spending less than $5,000 on their own new dress. It’s all about what they want and how they want to look on the day. However, keep in mind that many times brides may overspend when it comes to their dress, so try to factor that into the budget.

Tuxedos are much cheaper, but still, it will depend on how the groom wants to look. Don’t forget to include room in the budget for bridesmaids and groomsmen, or some variation thereof, if they aren’t buying their own outfits.

Beauty Services

If they won’t be doing their own hair, makeup, nails, and whatever other beauty regimens they want for themselves, give them a range of options for stylists. Many artists specialize in wedding makeup and hair.

Popular wedding trends at the moment are spa days or getting facials and massages before getting ready for the ceremony—maybe something to suggest if it’s in the budget.

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