When it comes to planning your big day, your wedding budget is the most important and potentially most stressful part. So much goes into creating your wedding day and, unfortunately, a lot of it costs money. As a wedding planner, I have a lot of experience with helping couples navigate, execute, and stay within their wedding budget.
For many couples, it’s hard to imagine just how many little details go into planning, let alone how much each of those things cost. First thing I do with full planning couples is build a comprehensive budget with the line items and how much we should allocate to each. Having a really clear picture of what you need can go a long way towards staying on track with the overall budget.
With the help of a wedding planner, you have someone who can keep the full picture in mind, making sure that nothing falls through the cracks. If a photographer you’re eyeing is going to be out of budget, I’ll let you know. If it’s something you’d like to prioritize, I can help figure out where else we can cut costs. Professional assistance can really help you feel good about the compromises you’ll inevitably have to make.
When you’re first getting started with your wedding budget, there are a few things that are important to clarify.
First, determine your maximum number. What is the dollar amount you absolutely are not going over? Then, who is contributing to the budget? This can help determine the maximum amount, but it’s also just good to know upfront who’s involved with the payments. Next, determine your guest list. The number of guests directly impacts how much money you will be spending in a few different categories. This means the sooner you lock in who’s invited, the sooner you’re able to make other decisions.
An important conversation I have with my couples early on about wedding budget is to do what feels right for YOU. It is important to remain focused on the priorities of you and your partner. Don’t let obligations or other opinions impact your decisions. When you focus on things that reflect your own personal values and style, the day is a representation of the two of you.
Some things are more expensive than others in the wedding planning process, but there are always ways to get what you want while staying within your wedding budget. Whether you’re using something in multiple ways to get more bang for your buck or finding unique options for big ideas, there’s usually a way to get creative!
Florals
Wedding flowers can be very expensive, but a lot of people think “flowers” when they think of weddings, so they’re usually a big part of the plan! With my experience in wedding planning over the years, I have a few ways to make flowers go farther in order to keep costs down.
- Choose a naturally beautiful venue, so your flowers are enhancing the beauty and it’s not a complete blank canvas we have to fill.
- Buy local, in-season flowers. The more unique, the higher the price tag!
- Repurpose flower arrangements throughout the day. Sometimes it doesn’t work when you have an outdoor ceremony in the summer and the flowers have been sitting outside for a few hours, but most of the time it does! I’m very intentional with this kind of plan to make sure it works logistically. For example, at a summer Charlottesville wedding, we lined the ceremony aisle with floral meadows which were then moved in front of their band’s stage during the reception. Their ceremony background also became a photo op!
- Use candles and other decor to fill in space along with flowers.
- Keep the bridesmaid’s bouquets minimalist.
Music & Entertainment
Obviously bands are going to cost more than a DJ, but we can find other ways to incorporate live music. You can have a trio or quartet for your ceremony, a pianist or guitarist at cocktail hour, or even a harpist or a cellist to add to the ambiance of your day.
Logan and Ben had a cellist play their first dance song. They also created their own selfie mirror photo booth! Photo booths are still very popular among the wedding crowds, but when you make them your own you can get them at a lower cost. Think polaroids, selfie stations, the cardboard cutout heads of the couple or even a pet – there are so many options! Or you can save your money and get some dance floor props to add a little something to your wedding reception without adding a lot to your wedding budget.
Paper Goods
I personally love to touch stationery and receiving mail, but if it’s not a priority, there are many lovely low-cost and no-cost digital invitation options available. You can opt for digital RSVPs with QR codes. Then your guests can get all the information you want to communicate on your wedding website. This also allows you to save on postage – I think that’s one of the most commonly forgotten expenses!
Meagan & Ben used seed paper as their guest place cards so that it wouldn’t go to waste, allowing them to be sustainable, too.
If you’re wanting to really go the DIY route to save some money, don’t forget about places like Canva! They make it easy to create your own day-of paper goods. Our groom Adrian designed all the menus, table numbers, and the escort display himself for his Virginia farm wedding.
Food & Beverage
The best way to keep costs down in this category is to limit your bar and forgo the top shelf liquor. You can serve a signature cocktail only during cocktail hour and switch to serve only beer and wine during dinner. Another way to save when it comes to alcohol is bringing your own. Some venues will allow you to do this and it can mean big savings! I definitely love having some bubbly at a party, but by serving a champagne alternative you’ll be able to enjoy the sparkles without the money guilt. You can also have guests toast with their drink in hand instead of having a separate champagne pour. Eliminating the bubbles allows you to save money on something your guests will never notice.
Everyone loves a good late night snack, but you don’t need to account for your total headcount as some guests may have already left and others may not want to indulge. My recommendation? Combine favors as food! A little something they can take away at the end of the night is always a hit – edible favors are the ones least left on the table.
Attire
Shop early! Rush fees are no joke if you are under a deadline and need alterations. The more you are in a hurry, the more likely you are to spend more. Keeping an eye out for trunk shows or snagging a sample is another great way to keep costs down when it comes to your wedding dress. And don’t forget about vintage items – your something borrowed could be your sister’s veil!
For your wedding events, check out rental sites like Rent the Runway. That way you can get something special for these exciting occasions without breaking the bank.
All of these things are important pieces of your day, but there is one place I think your wedding budget should use as a focal point. While it takes a team to deliver on your best day ever, I would have to say the venue should be a top focus when it comes to your budget. The venue determines a lot of things and contributes to multiple costs. It all starts with the venue!
I get weddings are expensive – they are a luxury. Working with a wedding planner is going to be the best way to curate a team of experienced professionals that match your style and your budget to deliver on your vision. I can help you not make costly budget mistakes and guide you how to spend efficiently. If you want All the Dainty Details to help you navigate your planning process, including your wedding budget, reach out! We’d be happy to help you have your dream day without breaking the bank.
