| Once you know how much money you have | | | | Gifts that you give to your attendants and the |
| available to spend on your wedding you will want | | | | cost of your rings (technically your gifts to each |
| to draw up a budget. But how do you know how | | | | other) will come to about two percent each. |
| much to spend on each aspect of your day? This | | | | Wedding stationary, including invitations, save the |
| is how the spending is broken down in a typical | | | | dates and thank you cards will probably require |
| modern day wedding. | | | | three percent of your budget. You can always |
| On average about forty percent of the wedding | | | | cut your stationary costs by taking the DIY |
| budget goes towards wining and dining your | | | | route. |
| guests. While this may seem like a lot of money, | | | | Attire generally contributes to ten percent of |
| the food is one of the main things that your | | | | your expenses. This covers the attire for all the |
| guests will remember about your wedding. Get it | | | | attendants involved, the bride and her |
| right and you can be sure to receive accolades | | | | bridesmaids, the groom and the groomsmen, and |
| from all those in attendance. | | | | the parents on each side. Children's formal attire |
| The other main aspect of your wedding that your | | | | can generally be purchased quite cheaply from a |
| guests are sure to remember is your | | | | department store. |
| entertainment. A band or DJ can typically set you | | | | Finally about fifteen percent of your wedding |
| back eight percent of your funds. | | | | finances will go towards your photography and |
| Your reception venue will typically contribute | | | | videography costs. This is the one aspect of the |
| about seven percent of your expenses. In | | | | budget that fluctuates the most. Some couples |
| contrast your ceremony as a whole, including the | | | | choose to really splurge on their photographer in a |
| location fee, decorations, programs and paying | | | | bid to make sure they have excellent photos that |
| your officiant, will probably only take up three | | | | they can look back on for the rest of their lives. |
| percent. Remember, your reception will last longer | | | | For this reason photography costs can soar to |
| than your wedding ceremony so it attracts a | | | | take up almost fifty percent of the total budget. |
| higher price tag. Travelling to your ceremony and | | | | You should always try to keep a few percent of |
| your reception usually costs about two percent. | | | | your budget spare in case of an emergency or in |
| Floral arrangements and bouquets consume about | | | | case you find something a little pricier that you |
| eight percent of the money set aside for most | | | | absolutely must have for your wedding. Having |
| weddings. This is open to variation as you may be | | | | some cash in hand will give you a little leeway and |
| able to forgo flowers as decorations, use | | | | relieve some of the financial burdens that can |
| non-floral centrepieces and purchase seasonal | | | | arise during planning a wedding. |
| flowers that can dramatically cut your costs. | | | | |