Wedding budget
The first thing to think about when preparing for a wedding is the budget. This is the most basic headache of many couples. We have systematised the main items of expenditure to make it easier for you to understand how to properly distribute the wedding budget between them.
Images of the bride and groom
5-10% of the total budget
Wedding dress
Groom’s suit
Shoes (+ spare non-heeled shoes for the evening)
Underwear
Veil / alternatives
Jewellery and accessories
Stylist services
Optional:
Dresses for bridesmaids
Second bridesmaid dress for the evening
Wedding rings
3% of the total budget
We do not advise to save on rings, because this is the most important jewellery, a symbol of your marriage. Show imagination: consider different types of metals, shapes, stones, come up with individual engraving. You can even make the rings yourself — jewellery salons hold such master classes. If the budget is very limited, choose the classics: a simple smooth ring without stones will not only reduce costs, but will always be in trend.
Decor and floristry
10-15% of the total budget
Bride’s bouquet + groom’s boutonniere
Organisation of the exit ceremony
Dinner decoration: presidium, centrepieces, additional decorative elements.
Lighting
Decorator-florist services
Additional:
Bridesmaids bouquets
Petals for the ceremony
Photo zone
Evening ceremony decoratio
Photographer, videographer
15% of the total budget
Never skimp on the quality of services. Choose only those professionals whose work you really like, with whom you want to work. Photos and videos are your memory of your wedding, trust your memories only to the best!
Banquet
40-45% of the total budget
Venue hire
Food and drinks
Service
Host
Corkage fee
Cake and sweet table
Catering for contractors
Printing
3% of the total budget
At modern weddings, printing is more of a decorative element than a vital necessity: instead of paper invitations, you can create a wedding website with all the necessary information for guests, and seating cards can replace personalised compliments for guests.
On the other hand, beautiful calligraphy, elegantly designed menu, original Save the date cards — these are the small details that give your wedding a zest, create its unique character. Therefore, the cost, composition and style of wedding printing depends only on your preferences and financial possibilities.
Entertainment and music
5-10% of the total budget
Whether it will be a DJ or a cover band, whether live music is needed at the ceremony, whether it is necessary to invite animators, what to entertain guests during the buffet and at the banquet — all this is very individual, and depends on your personal preferences, style and location of the wedding and, of course, the budget.
First of all, decide on the format of the event itself — will it be a lavish classical celebration (in which case a string quartet at the ceremony and artists’ performances during the evening are appropriate), a youth party (with a DJ, board games and creative numbers from the guests themselves) or a cosy family dinner, the main accent of which will be light music and long conversations?
Wedding planner
10% of the total budget
Do you need a wedding planner? — is the main question to ask when starting to prepare for your wedding. For those who are still undecided, have doubts or simply don’t know why you need one, we have prepared an article detailing the functions and benefits of a wedding planner at your dream wedding.