Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Costs

Wedding costs can quickly skyrocket, but with some strategic tips you can more easily stay on budget.

Budget for 12% of your wedding budget to cover photography and videography services so you’ll have lasting reminders from your big day. Also remember gratuity as standard practice!

Budgeting

As soon as you start planning a wedding, one of the first steps should be determining your budget. There are various websites and apps dedicated to helping couples determine how much their wedding should cost; wedding and bridal conventions also serve as great venues to meet vendors and find inspiration.

Wedding venues account for a substantial portion of your budget, setting the scene and atmosphere for your big day. They come in all forms: rustic barn, hotel ballroom or something completely customized.

Catering and beverage costs should also be an important part of your wedding budget, to ensure guests arrive nourished and refreshed on your big day. Expect to spend about 7% here; consider opting for an open bar as this may prove cheaper than closing tabs at each table.

Venues

Wedding venues are one of the largest fixed expenses when planning a wedding. To reduce this expense, consider getting married outside of traditional venues such as an art gallery, church, hotel or brewery or hosting both ceremonies and receptions at one location to reduce transportation costs.

Catering costs also play a part. On average, couples spend $4,075 to feed 66 guests and $62 per plate for catering expenses.

When researching potential venues, it’s essential to request an itemized breakdown of fees relating to setup/teardown time, catering options, alcohol sales and gratuities. Inquire if special event insurance will be mandatory as this could save time on travel arrangements if your big day falls near a holiday weekend which might see additional events or travel congestion.

Catering

Catering can be one of the most significant components of your wedding, yet also one of the costliest.

Venues that require their in-house caterers can add significant costs. To cut back costs on catering fees, look for venues that allow outside caterers and consider choosing a venue that permits outside caterers instead.

One way to save on food costs is by creating a menu with limited meal choices and offering fewer appetizers and desserts – this will reduce waste while still leaving guests satisfied.

If your wedding involves serving alcohol, inquire about bar pricing options. Some caterers charge according to consumption rather than charging per drink ordered; additionally, purchasing cheaper beer and wines could save on bar expenses; furthermore, opting for a cash bar instead of open or full bar option could further decrease costs associated with beverages.

Flowers

Flowers add beauty and romance to a wedding, but can also be expensive – with 100 guests estimated as costing $45,000 in 2022 alone!

Couples can save money by selecting an affordable venue and cutting down their guest list, as well as using flowers as favors.

Another key tip is setting aside 5% of your budget for unexpected costs such as hidden fees, overages and add-ons. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully understand your total cost before hiring vendors and signing contracts, in order to avoid unexpectedly expensive surprises. Flowers consist of sepals, petals, stamens and pistils which together form what’s known as the calyx which protects reproductive parts from insects while providing nourishment to other plants and serving as symbols of beauty in multiple cultures around the globe.

Entertainment

Entertainment is an integral component of weddings. Entertainment options can range from DJs and live bands – the latter brings additional showmanship and style that DJs cannot match.

A duo or full band typically costs between PS750 and PS1600+ and offers both classic party tunes and the latest hits, making sure that guests will dance the whole evening through. Look to Hi-Hat Jacks or Pine Acoustics for some inspiration.

Rentals

Wedding rentals are one of the most essential components to keep in mind during wedding planning. From renting tents for your guests’ comfort and theme-tying antiques for decor purposes, having a plan will ensure you don’t go over budget.

Renting is usually cheaper than purchasing items like tables and chairs for wedding receptions; plus it saves on transporting, setting up, taking down after your celebration has finished, as well as storage costs.

Dresses

Wedding brides’ attire is often the center of attention at their celebration, yet finding the ideal silhouette may be daunting. From intricate beadwork and embroidery, there are endless options available.

Consider selecting a gown with either a high neckline that reveals the tops of your shoulders or a deep V-neck that plunges into your decolletage for apple shapes, this style works great and can be accessorized with various jewelry styles.

Allow 5% of your budget for unexpected costs, such as last-minute flower arrangements or weather-related items (such as umbrellas for rainy ceremonies or space heaters on unseasonably cold days or damp menus in transport). Make sure that you have a contingency plan so you won’t go over budget.

Jewelry

Just a little savings here and there can add up quickly. Consider limiting guest counts, selecting an off-season date and finding ways to repurpose items such as wedding invitations and cake toppers in order to reduce the costs listed here.

Finally, when creating your budget plan, be sure to factor in gratuities and vendor tips – these can quickly add up, from church cleaning fees to hotel welcome bag delivery services.

At the core, what matters is finding a solution that suits both financially and personally. An online wedding budget calculator can help estimate costs and identify who should pay what – from there you can devise a plan to avoid going into debt while enjoying your happy ever after!

Hair and Makeup

Hair and makeup services are essential components of your special day, but it’s crucial that you know their costs in advance. Most stylists and makeup artists charge by the hour; thus the longer they are present on your special day, the higher their costs may be. Furthermore, more advanced styles such as bridal updos or airbrush makeup may cost more than simple blowouts.

Beauty pros typically charge for travel time and may even impose minimum service requirements. Also, if your maid of honor or best friend intends to give a speech during your wedding, ensure you include tech costs like audio/video equipment in your budget.

An event-wide microphone and projector is essential to modern weddings; your guests should hear you clearly while viewing any slideshow presentations you put together. However, these expenses can quickly add up!

Transportation

Though you likely accounted for major expenses like venue and catering when creating your initial budget, unexpected costs may arise such as transportation and accommodation for guests without their own cars.

Traditionally, brides-to-be’s parents cover organized transportation and parking; however, couples are now increasingly managing this aspect themselves. One simple strategy may involve asking wedding guests to contribute toward minibus or coach hire fees.

Chartered transportation services may be more cost-effective than taxis or rideshare services, while also offering your guests a more professional experience. But these premium services often come at a premium price point; to find the best value for your dollar compare quotes from multiple providers before selecting the one with which to go forward – then sit back and enjoy your event day!