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Creating your wedding budget is probably one of the most important parts of planning your wedding. It may not be the most glamorous, but you are going to want to put time and thought into your budget!
A realistic wedding budget isn’t about limiting your dream day – it is about making smart decisions so you can spend confidently on what matters most. And guess what? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
Let’s dive into how to build a wedding budget, and walk through real sample breakdowns to help guide you 🤍
Step 1: Start with Your Total Budget
Before you book anything, sit down and determine:
- How much are you and your partner are contributing
- Any contributions from family members
- What you are comfortable spending overall
It’s important to be honest during this stage, as this number sets the tone for every decision moving forward!
Step 2: Prioritize What Matters Most
Every couple is different – ask yourselves:
- Do we care most about photography?
- Is food the biggest priority?
- Do we want a packed dance floor and great entertainment?
- Is the aesthetic and decor most important?
Pick your top 2-3 priorities and plan to allocate more of your budget there.
Step 3: Use a Percentage-Based Breakdown
A realistic budget isn’t random – it is structured. Here is a general guideline many couples follow:
- Venue & Catering: 40-50%
- Photography & Videography: 10-15%
- Florals & Decor: 10-15%
- Attire & Beauty: 5-10%
- Entertainment/DJ: 5-10%
- Planner/Coordinator: 5-10%
- Miscellaneous & Buffer: 5-10%
- Stationery: 2-5%
This breakdown isn’t one-size-fits-all… but it is a great starting point!
Step 4: Build in a Buffer
Unexpected costs will come up at some point in the wedding planning process:
- Extra guests
- Vendor gratuities
- Rentals you didn’t think about
- last-minute changes
Set aside 5-10% of your budget as a cushion. It’s nice to have peace of mind that you already planned for last minute costs – plus, it’s better to spend less than more!
Sample Wedding Budget Breakdown
For this sample budget breakdown, we are going to use $40,000 as our total budget, and 150 for our total guest count!
- Venue & Catering: $18,000
- Photo & Video: $5,000
- Florals & Decor: $5,000
- Attire & Beauty: $3,000
- Entertainment/DJ: $2,500
- Planner/Coordinator: $2,500
- Misc & Buffer: $3,200
- Stationery: $800
Now, if you have a $40,000 wedding budget, this sample is not an end-all-be-all. Depending on what your top priorities are, some areas will be more or less, but this is a good starting point.
A realistic wedding budget isn’t about cutting corners – it’s about spending with intention. When you know where your money is going, you can relax and actually enjoy the planning process!
Your wedding isn’t defined by how much you spend. It’s about creating a day that feels like ✨YOU✨
And if after reading this blog post you are feeling even more overwhelmed – don’t worry, we got you! Take a peak at our Planning Packages + Pricing, and see how we can support you on your wedding planning journey! We would love to chat 🙂
Much Love,
Rachel with All of the Above Wedding + Events
Vendor Team:
Planning + Coordination: @alloftheabovemn
Photo: @katyroserussek
Floral: @ksmithfloral
Creating your wedding budget is probably one of the most important parts of planning your wedding. It may not be the most glamorous, but you are going to want to put time and thought into your budget!
A realistic wedding budget isn’t about limiting your dream day – it is about making smart decisions so you can spend confidently on what matters most. And guess what? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
Let’s dive into how to build a wedding budget, and walk through real sample breakdowns to help guide you 🤍
Step 1: Start with Your Total Budget
Before you book anything, sit down and determine:
- How much are you and your partner are contributing
- Any contributions from family members
- What you are comfortable spending overall
It’s important to be honest during this stage, as this number sets the tone for every decision moving forward!
Step 2: Prioritize What Matters Most
Every couple is different – ask yourselves:
- Do we care most about photography?
- Is food the biggest priority?
- Do we want a packed dance floor and great entertainment?
- Is the aesthetic and decor most important?
Pick your top 2-3 priorities and plan to allocate more of your budget there.
Step 3: Use a Percentage-Based Breakdown
A realistic budget isn’t random – it is structured. Here is a general guideline many couples follow:
- Venue & Catering: 40-50%
- Photography & Videography: 10-15%
- Florals & Decor: 10-15%
- Attire & Beauty: 5-10%
- Entertainment/DJ: 5-10%
- Planner/Coordinator: 5-10%
- Miscellaneous & Buffer: 5-10%
- Stationery: 2-5%
This breakdown isn’t one-size-fits-all… but it is a great starting point!
Step 4: Build in a Buffer
Unexpected costs will come up at some point in the wedding planning process:
- Extra guests
- Vendor gratuities
- Rentals you didn’t think about
- last-minute changes
Set aside 5-10% of your budget as a cushion. It’s nice to have peace of mind that you already planned for last minute costs – plus, it’s better to spend less than more!
Sample Wedding Budget Breakdown
For this sample budget breakdown, we are going to use $40,000 as our total budget, and 150 for our total guest count!
- Venue & Catering: $18,000
- Photo & Video: $5,000
- Florals & Decor: $5,000
- Attire & Beauty: $3,000
- Entertainment/DJ: $2,500
- Planner/Coordinator: $2,500
- Misc & Buffer: $3,200
- Stationery: $800
Now, if you have a $40,000 wedding budget, this sample is not an end-all-be-all. Depending on what your top priorities are, some areas will be more or less, but this is a good starting point.
A realistic wedding budget isn’t about cutting corners – it’s about spending with intention. When you know where your money is going, you can relax and actually enjoy the planning process!
Your wedding isn’t defined by how much you spend. It’s about creating a day that feels like ✨YOU✨
And if after reading this blog post you are feeling even more overwhelmed – don’t worry, we got you! Take a peak at our Planning Packages + Pricing, and see how we can support you on your wedding planning journey! We would love to chat 🙂
Much Love,
Rachel with All of the Above Wedding + Events
Vendor Team:
Planning + Coordination: @alloftheabovemn
Photo: @katyroserussek
Floral: @ksmithfloral
