Wedding Budget - Setting Your Priorities

As you plan all the details of your wedding, there are many decisions you will need to make between now and then! And to keep the planning fun and enjoyable, before you even think about looking at reception sites, gowns or invitations, you will want to set your priorities and create your budget. By planning ahead, you will cover all your expenses and not face any unpleasant surprises.

The wedding budget found in many bridal publications is as follows:

• 50%: Reception
• 10%: Flowers
• 10%: Music
• 10%: Wedding Attire - for bride and groom
• 10%: Photography
• 4%: Stationery - Invitations, reception cards, thank you cards, etc.
• 6% Extras - Attendant Gifts, Limo, Officiant

Depending on where you live, these percentages may not be realistic for you. On the Coasts (New York and California) reception costs can equal 75% of your total budget. Therefore, it is very imporatnt that you consider ALL your expenses before making any decisions on spending.

Begin your budget planning by thinking about what is most important to the two of you.

• Venue: Is where you get married and have your reception highest on your list?
• When: Is the month, time of day, day of the week most important?
• Attire: Perhaps, you picture yourself in an expensive designer gown?
• Food:Do you want to serve steak or chicken?
• Photos and Videos: Are the memories these will create most important to you?
• Guests: Do you have a large guest list?

Once you set your priorities, you can easily decide how to allocate your money. Your percentages may match those described above or may be drastically different. By deciding what is most important to you for your special day, you can determine what percentage of your budget you want to spend where.

If you need help or have questions, please call us toll free at
877-666-1806 or email us at info@beatricegiftservices.com.