You’re getting married! The love of your life proposed, and it’s time to start planning the wedding of your dreams. There are plenty of details that go into planning a wedding and they all come with a hefty price tag. You’ll want to be aware of the costs that come with getting married before you do anything and set a hard budget for what you, your financé, and your families can afford for this wedding. You don’t want to be in over your head as the expenses for the different aspects of your wedding start to add up.

Your dress

You’ve probably dreamed of the dress you’re going to wear on your wedding day for a long time, so you’ll want it to be perfect. Set a dress budget of 5 to 10 percent of your total budget. You’ll likely go through a couple of rounds of fittings and alterations to make sure that your dress fits like a glove by the time your big day rolls around. Allow for extra room in your budget for emergency alterations in case anything drastic needs to be changed. Don’t forget the cost of your undergarments and accessories to make your dress look as amazing as possible. The perfect slip under your dress and the right shoes and veil will make the look all come together! And the cost of your dress doesn’t stop when you say, ‘I do!’ Be prepared for the cost of preservation after your wedding day to keep your gown looking amazing for years to come.

Flowers

Your flowers can be a huge expense, so plan on using 8 percent of your overall wedding budget for all things floral. Look at a list of the flowers you'll need, which includes your bouquets as well as bouquets for your bridesmaids, boutonnieres for your groom and his guys, and flowers for the decor at the ceremony and reception. Be prepared for extra costs that come with choosing the perfect flower. Once you decide what floral arrangements you prefer, find out whether those flowers are in-season for your wedding day. If the flowers you absolutely have to have are out of season, just know that an extra cost will come with flying them in from out-of-state or out of the country.

Makeup and Hair

A big part of your wedding day will be spent getting ready, which is all part of the fun and excitement. Getting glam for your wedding day will allot for about 8 percent of your total budget. With all eyes on you for your big day, you want to look your best. For your hair and makeup, hire a professional to ensure you’ll look perfect, and don’t forget to schedule a trial in advance to make sure you know exactly what to expect. A trial will likely cost you an extra fee, but it’s worth it to not have any surprises on the day of. You’ll have to decide if you’re going to pay for your bridal party’s expenses as well, or if each bridesmaid will pay her own way. If you’re requiring the girls get their hair and makeup done for your wedding, you may want to consider offering to cover a portion or all of that expense. You can offer it as their gift to them.

The Reception

While the ceremony may be over in just a few minutes, the majority of your wedding budget will be spent for the party to follow: the reception. Your reception will typically cost 50 percent of your budget. With this aspect of your wedding being such a large cost, look into taking out a wedding loan to cover the costs of the reception, which will ensure that you can include every last detail of your picture-perfect wedding. Part of that 50 percent will go toward your venue, so choose wisely when picking the place of your dreams to celebrate your new marriage. Opt for an elegant ballroom or an outdoor venue that are so on-trend for this summer! Ask about the cost of alternative options if the weather doesn’t cooperate, like a tent or an indoor venue. Catering is another crucial part of your wedding so make sure to spend the money on amazing food and a great bar. Review your contract with your caterer to see if food and cake tastings are included in the overall price. It’s worth splurging for an open bar to accommodate your guests, so be ready for the expense that comes with it. Another big cost for your reception budget comes from the rentals, which includes tables, chairs, glassware, linens and more. See if your venue includes those rental items within their base cost.

Photographer and Videographer

You want to remember this day forever, so you will want to have it documented. Be prepared to spend around 12 percent of your budget on your wedding photos and video. This is such a special day and you’re going to want to look back on these memories years from now, so the cost is a no-brainer. Spending the money to get a quality wedding photographer and videographer is worth it for the beautiful pictures and videos you’ll have to cherish forever. Make sure to look at galleries and ask for a portfolio before booking a photographer, and look at sample wedding videos before booking your videographer to make sure they match your preferred style. See if your photographer offers a package deal with videography, or see if they can recommend someone they’ve worked with before. Inquire about any additional add-ons they might offer, such as a second photographer or a drone to take your pictures and video to the next level.

Entertainment

Whether you choose to have a DJ or band at your wedding, your reception music will cost you around 7 percent of your budget. The entertainment is one of the factors of your special day that everyone is going to remember, and you don’t want mediocre music that no one can dance to. Your wedding really is like a big party, so you need good music to keep people dancing! A professional DJ can cost you between one to two thousand dollars, depending on their experience, and bands even more. So be sure to set aside a fair amount of your budget for the music. You’ll most likely have to put down a deposit when you book a DJ or band, so keep track of when everything is due so you keep your budget on track as your planning progresses.

Everything else you might have forgotten

Even if you think you’ve set the perfect budget and accounted for every last thing, you will still forget about some unexpected wedding costs. Budget for the unexpected and keep track of when expenses are due, especially down payments and day-of costs. Leave an extra 5 percent in your budget for the things that might slip your mind, like the cost of postage for your invites or your marriage license. Worst case is you won’t have to use that extra money you budgeted and you’ll come in under what you planned on spending (which just means more money for the honeymoon)!

If you need help planning your wedding day, contact New Creations Weddings today to setup your complimentary initial consultation.

How to Create Your Wedding Day Budget