#28 Where to Start on a Wedding Budget
Episode #28 Where to Start on a Wedding Budget
Traditional Responsibilities
Who pays for what:
The bride’s family is financially responsible for:
- Reception
- Ceremony
- Flowers for ceremony and reception
-The bride’s wedding dress and accessories
- Invitations, announcements, programs, and postage
- Favors, if giving any (we suggest not to)
- Photography
- Transportation
- Their own attire and travel expenses
The bride is financially responsible for:
- The groom’s wedding ring
- A wedding gift for the groom
- Her hair, makeup, beauty treatments
- Gifts for her attendants
- Accommodation for any out-of-town bridesmaids
The groom’s family is financially responsible for:
- The rehearsal dinner
- Their own attire and travel expenses
- A wedding present
The groom is financially responsible for:
- The marriage license
- The bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring
- The honeymoon
- A wedding gift for the bride
- The bride’s bouquet
- Gifts for his attendants
- Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers
- Boutonnieres for men in the wedding party
- Accommodation for any out-of-town groomsmen
- Officiant Fees
When the bride and groom are older, or whose parents don’t have resources
The bride and groom pay for all wedding costs themselves .
The budget can also be split three ways: the bride’s family, the groom’s family, and the bride and groom themselves each pays for one-third of the budget. This also means they will each invite one-third of the guests like we talked about in episode #24.
Categories to budget for: ( found on www.costofwedding.com)
100-200 guests 34,500-57,500 in the Western Washington area
*NOT ALL CATEGORIES LISTED HERE, PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PODCAST TO HEAR IT ALL*
Attire & Accessories
| Average Cost | Spending for Designer labels, Unique or Custom Products and Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dress Accessories | $242 - $404 | $485 - $646+ |
| Tuxedo/suit Accessories | $107 - $179 | $215 - $286+ |
| Tuxedo/suit rent or purchase | $215 - $359 | $431 - $574+ |
| Wedding Dress | $1,288 - $2,146 | $2,576 - $3,434+ |
Beauty & Spa
| Average Cost | Spending for Well-experienced Professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| Hair | $69 - $115 | $138 - $184+ |
| Makeup | $56 - $93 | $111 - $148+ |
| Nails | $47 - $78 | $93 - $124+ |
Entertainment
| Average Cost | Spending for Well-experienced Professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| DJ | $735 - $1,225 | $1,470 - $1,960+ |
| Band | $1,731 - $2,885 | $3,462 - $4,616+ |
| Musicians | $624 - $1,040 | $1,248 - $1,664+ |
Flowers & Decorations
| Average Cost | Spending for Well-experienced Professionals, Unique or Custom Products and Services |
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutionieers Corsages | $152 - $253 | $303 - $404+ |
| Bridal Bouquet | $155 - $259 | $311 - $414+ |
| Bridesmaids Bouquet | $186 - $310 | $372 - $496+ |
| Event Decor | $474 - $790 | $948 - $1,264+ |
| Flower Arrangements | $476 - $793 | $951 - $1,268+ |
| Centerpieces | $343 - $571 | $686 - $914+ |
| Flower Girl Flowers | $92 - $153 | $183 - $244+ |
| Flower Petals | $100 - $166 | $200 - $266+ |
Gifts & Favors
| Average Cost | Spending for Designer labels, Unique or Custom Products and Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Gifts for Attendants | $110 - $183 | $219 - $292+ |
| Gifts for Parents | $123 - $205 | $246 - $328+ |
| Tips for Wedding Professionals | $396 - $660 | $792 - $1,056+ |
| Wedding Favors | $239 - $399 | $479 - $638+ |
Invitations
| Average Cost | Spending for Designer labels, Unique or Custom Products and Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | $118 - $196 | |
| Engagement Announcements | $106 - $176 | $212 - $282+ |
| Guest Book | $60 - $100 | $120 - $160+ |
| Invitations | $236 - $393 | $471 - $628+ |
| Postage | $110 - $183 | $219 - $292+ |
| Menus | $120 - $200 | $240 - $320+ |
| Save the Date Cards | $113 - $189 | $227 - $302+ |
| Table Numbers | $84 - $140 | $168 - $224+ |
| Thank You Cards | $90 - $150 | $180 - $240+ |
Planner/Consultant
| Average Cost | Spending for Well-experienced Professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| A La Carte Services | $1,028 - $1,714 | $2,057 - $2,742+ |
| Day of Coordinator | $887 - $1,478 | $1,773 - $2,364+ |
| For Getting Started | $941 - $1,568 | $1,881 - $2,508+ |
| Full Service | $3,169 - $5,281 | $6,338 - $8,450+ |
| Month of | $1,186 - $1,976 | $2,372 - $3,162+ |
Venue, Catering & Rentals
| Average Cost | Spending for Well-experienced Professionals, Designer labels, Popular Locations, Unique or Custom Products and Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Officiant | $215 - $358 | $429 - $572+ |
| Event Accessories | $335 - $558 | $669 - $892+ |
| Bar Service | $2,486 - $4,143 | $4,971 - $6,628+ |
| Catering | $4,972 - $8,286 | $9,944 - $13,258+ |
| Venue | $3,745 - $6,241 | $7,490 - $9,986+ |
| Rentals | $1,794 - $2,990 | $3,588 - $4,784+ |
| Hotel Room | $320 - $533 | $639 - $852+ |
| Limo | $491 - $819 | $983 - $1,310+ |
| Other Transportation | $521 - $869 | $1,043 - $1,390+ |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $592 - $986 | $1,184 - $1,578+ |
| Wedding Cake | $440 - $733 | $879 - $1,172+ |
Modern Alternatives:
After announcing their engagement, the couple should estimate what they’ll spend on the wedding. Then they need to discuss with their parents what they have come up with and what they might be able to pay for. They may offer a set amount they can contribute. If their parents say they can’t afford to contribute, or only offer a small amount, the couple may have to come up with the budget on their own or find a different means of paying for the wedding. Raising the money in a fun way might be an option.
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-Until next time, no stress, no worries, keep calm and listen on-