How to Prepare a Wedding Budget

Deciding on (and sticking to) a budget may seem like a difficult task, but there are several resources and plenty of advice readily available to help you get started. While some couples may start off knowing exactly how much they have to spend, others may have no idea. Nina Callaway, author of the article “Creating a Wedding Budget,” suggests budgeting about $100 per wedding guest, depending on your area. The next step is to prioritize each element of your wedding. Jo Gartin, voted best wedding coordinator by Vogue Magazine, lists the following “key components” to consider: beverages, bridal gown and accessories, celebrant, coordinator, favors, flowers, food, hair and make-up, honeymoon, insurance, location, music, photography, rentals, specialty linens, stationary, styling and décor, transportation, videography, wedding cake, and welcome gifts. Deciding what is most important to you will help you determine where to spend and where to save. The third step is to make a basic budget. Fill in the costs of items you already know, the cost of the site you’ve selected for example. Then use your prioritized list to fill in the percentage of your remaining budget you’d like to spend in each area, or to eliminate items that are not necessary. Having a budget can often make your decisions easier when selecting accessories or décor and approaching prospective vendors. And you’re off to a bright, blissful beginning!

Here are some sources I used to write this article:

Gartin, Jo. Jo Gartin’s Weddings: An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride. Holtzbrinck Publishers, 2006. Print

Callaway, Nina. “Creating a Wedding Budget.” About.com. About.com, 2013. Web. 01 July 2013. <http://weddings.about.com/od/getorganized/a/weddingbudget.htm >

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