After you’ve soaked in all of the bliss, romance and excitement of becoming newly engaged, it’s time to sit down and actually start planning for your wedding. One of the first things you will probably think about is your budget. After all, your budget is likely to drive you to certain decisions over others. So how do you make those hard decisions?

Here are the top 5 things we think are really important to consider when setting your wedding budget! These are tried and true conversations that we have with couples and things that we advise our clients to think about when handling their wedding budget management:

1. Have the “Money Talk”

   Start by sitting down and having an honest conversation with anyone who is going to be helping pay for the wedding. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, eccentric billionaires that like to help you pay for things (don’t we all wish we had one of those???). Take these folks out to dinner - separately. Relax and keep an open mind. This next part is the most important, but also the least fun. Don’t make any plans before you have this conversation. Going into the conversation with zero expectations is the best way to keep yourself from getting your heart set on something that won’t even fit in your budget. Once you know who is contributing and exactly how much your budget will be, you can plan and dream to your heart’s content. Keeping your expectations low is also a good way to keep yourself from appearing ungrateful. After all, money can be a touchy subject even in the closest of families, so having this conversation before starting to plan is a safer bet.

2. The Guest List

   The number of guests you plan to invite is a big factor when setting your budget. I know it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and just wanting to share your big day with everyone. But being realistic about your guest list is actually more important when it comes to your wedding budget than you might think. 

   
   Top Things to Consider:

   • Venue size and capacity limits

     • If the venue you love (and can afford) will only hold 100 people, that may force you to make some pretty difficult decisions when it comes to your guest list. 

   • Caterer’s cost per plate

     • Something that takes a lot of couples by surprise in the wedding planning process is that most caterers will charge by the plate. This means that your guest count is a crucial factor in the overall cost of food for your wedding. 

   • Number of table settings and centerpieces

     • Another thing you might not think about (but your planner definitely is thinking about), is the amount of tables, tablecloths, centerpieces, plates, stemware, flatware, napkins, and florals that you will need based on your guest count. 

   • Cost of alcohol if bar is open

     • If you choose to have an open bar, you will pay for an estimated amount that your guests may drink during your wedding. Sometimes you can get a refund for unopened bottles. Sometimes you are stuck with 25 bottles of liquor you paid for and now have to figure out what to do with. This is definitely something to confirm before you choose a bartending service/venue/caterer.

   • Favors and thank you gifts

     • If you choose to provide favors or thank you gifts to your guests you will need to take that cost into consideration. The less guests you have the more premium gifts you can provide. But if your attendees are more excited for the party than they are the swag, this may be a non-issue for you.

3. Non-Negotiables

   Every couple has a vision for their special day. Most girls dream about their weddings from a young age, and even if he doesn’t admit it, a groom has probably given some thought to how he would like his wedding to be. That being said, there are most likely priority items that you simply MUST HAVE.

   Consider these budget items when choosing your non-negotiables:

   • Attire

   • A dream wedding dress, a sharp suit, outfits for your wedding party, and yes even the cute tank top and robe you and your girls will wear to get ready will all go into this category. 

   • Location, location, location

   • If you drive past a beautiful barn venue on your commute every day and have always dreamed of getting married there, this may be something you have on your non-negotiable list.

   • Food

   • Some people have very strong opinions about the food they want to serve and how it is served.

   • Photos and videography

   • Can you really put a price on memories? Yes. Yes you actually can, and it is typically upwards of a thousand bucks. 

   • Entertainment

   • Live band? DJ? Photo booth? String Quartet? Or a playlist and a bluetooth connection? How will you entertain those guests?

   • Decor and finishes

   • Now this is my best pal Audrey’s specialty. But I can tell you that if you want fresh florals, the best linens, and fine china - you can have those things. You just need to budget for them. 

   • Accommodations and transportation

   • Will you need a car, limo, or bus to transport you and your wedding party? Are you staying in a hotel suite on your wedding night? Take those costs into consideration. 

4. Venue

   Your venue will likely be one of your biggest investments for your wedding day. I think that really goes without saying, but there it is. The place where it all goes down can be a big investment when compared to other budget items.

   Consider these things when setting the budget for your venue:

   • Will your ceremony and reception be in the same location?

   • Time of year. Some venues charge different rates for “peak season” & “off season”.

   • Photos. Is the setting of the venue important to you? Prime views may come with a higher price tag.

   • Vendor policies. Some venues require use of certain vendors.

5. Prioritize and Decide

   Sit down and prioritize each budget item. Starting with the non-negotiables you have already decided on. Again, the Ever True Event Design team can help you with this part. We will help you understand the typical percent allocations for different vendors and costs. If you choose our Wedding Management and Design package, we will go down your list with you and help you decide how to allocate your funds and plan the wedding of your dreams. Once your budget is finalized, then the fun can really begin. Our team is excited to help you find the best of the best vendors to fit your vision, and keep your wallet happy.

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