| Okay, you've made a decision to take the plunge. | | | | reception wisely! Once you place money down, |
| Well, actually two of you made that decision. But | | | | you usually will lose it if you decide to cancel. Also, |
| now comes the hard part. How much will all this | | | | after you narrow down your choices, be VERY |
| cost? Do you want to invite every person you've | | | | careful! Always ask what is included - cake, |
| ever known to the wedding, or reduce the | | | | bartenders, waiters, security people, valet parking, |
| amount of wedding guests to just include close | | | | coat room attendant etc. There are many hidden |
| family and friends? This is a tough question to | | | | costs here that can send your wedding budget |
| answer. Just remember, the more wedding | | | | soaring. Okay, now that I've convinced you to |
| guests, the more wedding favors, larger cake, | | | | draw up a budget, let's get started. Come up with |
| etc. never-mind adding that per plate dinner | | | | a total budget figure. Then use these percentages |
| charge. Cha ching! | | | | as a guideline. |
| If you don't know it by now, you will learn very | | | | Wedding reception = 50% |
| quickly, that weddings have become big business. | | | | Bride's attire = 10% |
| Now, please understand, I'm not against that. A | | | | Photography/videography = 10% |
| couple of years ago, we gave my daughter and | | | | Music = 10% |
| her fiancé a very large, very beautiful | | | | Flowers = 10% |
| wedding. (Unfortunately, we did not have such | | | | Invitations/postage = 4% |
| wonderful wedding favors to choose from at that | | | | Other expenses = 6% |
| point!) And it was an event that we will forever | | | | Please understand, this is an AVERAGE. Some |
| cherish and forever remember. But, we learned | | | | couples choose to spend more on the reception |
| the hard way, that there are many decisions that | | | | and less on flowers. Or less on the reception and |
| are made, even last minute, that will turn your | | | | more on the honeymoon. Below, is the above |
| wedding day into a financial burden that you may | | | | percentages broken down into categories. If you |
| keep paying for years to come. | | | | make this into a list, and decide how much you will |
| Considering all of the above, let's start at the | | | | spend on each area, you will insure that your |
| beginning and discuss how to make a wedding | | | | budget will stay in line. |
| budget. We're not just talking about your wedding | | | | Wedding Parties: Engagement, Bridesmaid's Lunch, |
| "day", but your entire wedding budget - every | | | | Rehearsal Dinner, Bridal Shower, Bridal Shower |
| category including the bridal gifts, wedding cake, | | | | Favors |
| gown, tux, limos, wedding favors, wedding | | | | Stationary: Wedding Invitations, (Announcements, |
| photographer/videographer, etc. etc. etc. But, for | | | | Thank You Cards, Reply Cards), Stamps, |
| the parents who are reading this, there is good | | | | Calligraphy (if desired) |
| news. Because most brides and grooms wed | | | | Bridal Attire: Wedding Dress, Headpiece/Veil, |
| much older than ever (average for brides - 24, | | | | Shoes, Accessories, Undergarments, Hairdresser, |
| grooms - 26), most couples pay for their own | | | | Make-up, Nails, Pedicure, Trousseau, Alterations |
| wedding and reception. Actually, a full 70% pay | | | | Photography/Videography: Formal Portraits, |
| for their entire wedding day. | | | | Engagment, Wedding and Reception, Wedding |
| Okay, back to setting up a budget. This is not | | | | Album, Parents' Albums, Extra Prints, |
| very exciting and actually pretty boring. But, once | | | | Videographer of Wedding |
| you've become engaged, you will have romantic | | | | Flowers: Ceremony Arrangements, Unity Candle |
| thoughts of bridal showers, engagement parties, | | | | (Optional), Bride's Bouquet, Groom's Boutonniere, |
| wedding gowns/tux, honeymoon, and of course, | | | | Bridesmaids/Groomsmen, Mothers' Corsages, |
| the bridal shower favors, and unique wedding | | | | Reception Arrangements |
| favors! We're sure, you're not at all excited about | | | | Reception: Food/Caterer, Drinks, Wedding Cake, |
| sitting down with your future life mate and | | | | Facility Rental, Place Cards, Wedding Favors, |
| discussing how much this is going to cost both of | | | | Decorations, Tips |
| you. That can take the wind out of the most | | | | Music/Entertainment: Ceremony, DJ or Band |
| exciting wedding plans! But, honestly, this budget | | | | Transportation: Limousines, Parking, Valet Parking |
| should be set up before $1.00 is spent. If you do | | | | Gifts: Maid/Matron of Honor, Bridesmaids/Flower |
| not set up a budget, you will end up spending two | | | | Girls, Bride's Parents, Groom's Parents |
| to three times what you planned on. | | | | Fees: Church/Ceremony, Officiant |
| First things first. Decide how much you can spend, | | | | Miscellaneous: Wedding Planner (Optional), Bridal |
| whether you have the cash, need to charge | | | | Toss (Confetti, Bubbles, etc.), Bridal Shower |
| certain items or whether or not you both feel to | | | | Favors, Monogrammed Items, Cake Accessories |
| take out a loan and then pay it off with the | | | | (Knife, Top, etc.), Hotel Accomodations, Guest |
| (fingers crossed) large financial gifts you'll receive. | | | | Book/Pen, Champagne Flutes (Monogrammed |
| Secondly, you HAVE to decide on a theme. If you | | | | Optional), Garter |
| don't, then you will be tempted to make impulse | | | | Honeymoon: Travel (Airplane, etc.), Cruise, |
| buys, and your budget will begin to soar. Not to | | | | Accommodations, Enjoyment Money, Rental Car |
| mention that your wedding will also look like every | | | | DON'T CANCEL THE WEDDING! (thought you'd |
| other wedding that you've gone to, and sworn up | | | | need a laugh at this point!) |
| and down that yours will NEVER be like that! | | | | You can cut all of the "non-essentials" from the |
| Thirdly, if you don't set a budget and do not | | | | above list. Or cut out a few of the guests you |
| decide on a theme, then the day after you get | | | | really didn't want to invite anyway! Remember, |
| married, you/your fiancé/parents/friends, | | | | PLAN before you buy. Decide on a THEME before |
| etc. will all be tempted to book the banquet hall, | | | | you go into a binding contract for a banquet hall. |
| run out and buy a wedding dress, etc. Usually | | | | DO NOT buy on impulse. |
| when these impulse decisions are made, there is | | | | One last word to the wise. This is your wedding. |
| much regret, and you soon find that you are | | | | Enjoy it. Hopefully it will be the last time you do |
| stuck with something you never really wanted. | | | | this. So enjoy the moments. Even when it gets |
| Now, down to basics. The wedding reception will | | | | crazy, and you feel you've gotten in over your |
| account for about 50% of your wedding budget. | | | | head financially. This too shall pass. |
| Be careful! Choose where you will have your | | | | Good luck and God bless! |