Realistic Tips Budgeting For Your Dream Wedding

You’re engaged, now now what? Everyone has delusions of grandeur when planning their wedding day. I mean who doesn’t want their dream wedding! You have probably been thinking about your wedding day since you were a little girl. Who hasn’t! With all of the Pinterest boards pinned and all of the wedding dress ideas agonized over… the question remains. What kind of wedding can you have on your budget. Of course if you have a non-existent budget then there is no need for you to read this blog post. But most of us, have at least some budget in mind for our wedding day.

I have been photographing weddings for about 30 years and nearly all of my clients go over their budget. So maybe that’s an idea that you can start mulling over in your mind, the idea that you’re probably not going to stick to your budget as strictly as you think you will, right now in the early parts of your planning process.

Just to give you an idea that the standard wedding budget for a wedding in Los Angeles, which is where I photograph is $44,000. Weddings in your area are going to vary but it’s a good idea to Google what the average wedding budget is for your particular area just so you can start getting a realistic idea of what it cost to have a wedding in your local area. Of course you can always be over that budget or under that budget and I have seen extraordinary things done with a little elbow grease and a little time.

In this blog post, I will provide you with some tips for managing your wedding budget and finances effectively.

Once you Google how much it costs to have a wedding around your particular area or the area where you want to have your wedding. It’s a good time to start thinking about whether you do really still want to have a wedding and if so what your particular budget will be for your wedding.  Your budget will guide all your wedding planning decisions and help you prioritize what’s important to you. Determine how much money you have available to spend on your wedding, and then break that down into categories such as the venue, catering, flowers, entertainment, etc.

Normally your budget should be broken down into these categories and these are the percentages that you will want to devote to each category

Reception 55%

Ceremony 12%

Photography 10%

Wedding planner 10%

Dress and tuxedo 8%

Miscellaneous 5%

So for Los Angeles the budget for your…

Reception would be $24, 200

Ceremony $5,280

Photography $4,400

Wedding Planner $4,400

Dress and Tux  $3,520

Misc. $2,200

Once you have determined your budget, it is important to prioritize your spending. Decide what is most important to you and allocate more money to those areas. For example, if having a beautiful wedding dress is a priority, allocate more money to your attire budget and less to other areas. If having amazing food and drinks is important to you, allocate more money to the catering budget and less to other areas. If you just absolutely have to have your dream photographer then of course make that a priority, I’m not biased at all!

I know a lot of people don’t want to have the budget conversation but it’s a must! Asking for help from parents and family is I’m more comfortable conversation in certain traditions and a backgrounds but it should be a conversation that should come easily to everyone. I mean, the worst that can happen is that everyone says no and you have to foot the bill yourself. Nonetheless take your parents out to a nice dinner and ask if there is anything that they can help with. An Asian traditions there is a red envelope and that helps pay for if not all of the wedding than most of it and in Mexico there are people that are in charge of different aspects of the wedding like the bible, the cake, the food and so forth and they are called padrinos and padrinas. In most cultures it’s considered standard to have close family and parents pitch in for this auspicious day but not all cultures are open to having this conversation. Nonetheless you should broach the subject, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Creating a wedding spreadsheet is essential to keep track of all your wedding expenses. Include a column for your budget, actual expenses, and notes. You can also add a column to track payments made and their due dates. This spreadsheet will help you stay on top of your spending and ensure that you don’t overspend in any particular area. I always know when a bride is going to run on time and be stress-free because she’s carrying one of those huge binders for wedding organization that includes all of the contracts for all of her vendors and all of the inspo for her dream wedding. If you’re not a person who is naturally organized and runs on time you should very seriously consider hiring a wedding planner.

Take a moment to go over all of the inspiration on your Pinterest board and start having an idea of what it is that you absolutely must have and what can fall by the wayside. Of course we all want the $10,000 wedding dress , the $25,000 ring, the gorgeous rooftop venue overlooking the city or the perfect late century brick estate overlooking a vineyard but not all things are possible on a budget. Start getting an idea of what is an absolute necessity and let the smaller things go. Maybe the ice cream bar or the Cirque du Soleil performers or something that you can cut from your wedding budget.

Wedding venues are one of the most significant expenses, so it’s worth considering alternative options. Instead of renting a traditional wedding venue, consider outdoor spaces, community centers, or even private homes. Here’s a little hint that I learned from a bride. Not all community centers are dingy little below and spaces. There are some stunning community centers in some cities. Diamond bar has a community center that is nicer than most high-end venues. These options can be much more affordable and offer a unique and personal touch to your wedding. Here are a few more ideas. If you have a super low budget you may consider just eloping. If you have a little bit bigger option but not big enough for a large wedding you can consider a loping somewhere you would want to honeymoon like Hawaii.

If your wedding budget is in the few $2,000 range, maybe under $5,000 you can have a nice backyard wedding with a Taco Guy.

If your wedding is under $10,000 you can definitely do something really nice with a rustic theme. A barn wedding or an estate wedding.

Budgets that are around 15,000 to 20,000 be hosted at small estates and often museum or art galleries.

A good portion of my clients have budgets that are between $30,000 to $50,000 and normally they are at lofts or church ceremonies with ballrooms. Even some really nice rooftop swanky venues are in this budget.

Wedding decorations can be expensive, but there are many ways to save money. Consider DIY decorations, such as making your own centerpieces or repurposing items from thrift stores or flea markets. You can also use candles, lights, and flowers to create a beautiful atmosphere without breaking the bank. A lot of my DIY clients will pick up their own flowers from the Los Angeles flower market a day or two before the issue can be that you have to keep flowers refrigerated in this hot Southern California weather that we normally have. Your flowers can look wilted if you have them out for too long.

When purchasing wedding items, always be on the lookout for sales and discounts. Many wedding stores offer discounts on wedding dresses, tuxedos, and decorations. You can also save money by purchasing items in bulk or buying items secondhand. There are so many great online resources and Facebook Marketplace is one super resource. I have seen plenty of decorations and dresses for sale after people’s weddings.

Hiring a wedding planner can help you save money in the long run. A wedding planner can negotiate with vendors on your behalf, find the best deals, and manage your budget. They can also provide you with valuable advice and suggestions to help you save money without sacrificing the quality of your wedding.

There are many hidden costs associated with weddings that you may not consider, such as taxes, gratuities, and delivery fees. Be mindful of these costs and include them in your budget spreadsheet. Make sure to ask vendors about any additional costs that may be incurred, so you are not caught off guard.

One of the most significant expenses of a wedding is the number of guests. Cutting back on your guest list can significantly reduce your wedding expenses. Consider inviting only close family and friends or having a smaller wedding ceremony and reception. You can always have a larger celebration later on.

After the wedding, most couples go on a honeymoon. Instead of asking for traditional wedding gifts, set up a honeymoon fund. This allows your guests to contribute to your honeymoon expenses, such as flights, hotels, and activities.

Weddings held on weekends and during peak seasons can be more expensive. Consider having your wedding on a weekday or during the off-season to save money. Many venues and vendors offer discounts during these times, and you may even be able to negotiate better deals.

Wedding dresses can be one of the most significant expenses of a wedding. Choosing a simple wedding dress can save you a lot of money. Consider purchasing a dress off the rack or renting one instead of buying a brand new one. You can also consider purchasing a pre-owned dress, which can be significantly less expensive than a brand new one.

Alcohol can be a significant expense at weddings. Consider limiting alcohol consumption to save money. You can also consider offering a signature cocktail instead of a full bar, which can be more affordable.

There are many online wedding planning tools available that can help you plan your wedding and manage your budget. These tools can help you stay organized, track your expenses, and find the best deals. Some popular wedding planning tools include The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola.

Finally, be flexible with your wedding plans. Being flexible can help you save money and make the planning process easier. Be open to alternative venues, consider using in-season flowers, and be open to alternative catering options. Being flexible can help you create a beautiful wedding while staying within your budget.

In conclusion, managing your wedding budget and finances is essential to ensure that you have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. By determining your budget, prioritizing your spending, using a wedding spreadsheet, considering alternative venues, getting creative with decorations, looking for sales and discounts, hiring a wedding planner, being mindful of hidden costs, cutting back on the guest list, setting up a honeymoon fund, considering a weekday or off-season wedding, choosing a simple wedding dress, limiting alcohol consumption, using online wedding planning tools, and being flexible, you can create a beautiful wedding that you will remember forever without sacrificing your financial well-being.

Edna Eudave is an extensively  published award winning fine art wedding and portrait photographer. She  is a photography educator, mentor and a fine artist painter. She is also  a contributor to several photography columns and loves her daughter and  3 huskies!

She has been is business for over 30 years and had thousands of thrilled clients all over the world!