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Your
Wedding Budget
By C. Pulsifer, © 2007
One of the first things you need to do is to determine your budget for
your wedding. Even the simplest of weddings can end up costing more than
you wished to spend.
It is important to determine what you want to spend
before you start to plan.
You do not want to start your marriage with a large debt from your
wedding. Plan your budget, stay within your budget.
Even with a budget,
it is a good idea to have additional money set aside for last minute or
unexpected items.
We have attended weddings that cost $10,000 to $25,000 and upwards.
While it is one of the most important days of your life, you and your
partner need to determine your priorities and what you can afford.
Below is a list of some of the items that you will have to consider in
preparing your budget.
_____ Wedding Consultant
_____ Engagement Party,
consider site rental, any equipment you have to
rent, invitations to party, food, beverages, decorations, flowers, tips
_____ Bridesmaids' Luncheons
_____ Rehearsal Dinner, consider where it will be held, any rental fee,
invitations, food, beverages, decorations, flowers, tips
_____ Wedding Ceremony, consider location fee, officiates fee, donation
to church, organist, vocalist, other musicians, tips, ceremony programs,
marriage license fee
_____ Reception, consider site rental, any equipment rental (tables,
chairs, tent, etc.), decorations, servers, bartenders, liquor,
nonalcoholic beverages, hors d'oeuvres, entrees, wedding cake, toasting
glasses, cake serving plate, knife, guest book, pen, favors, box or
basket for envelope gifts, tip for caterers and servers, music – dj or
live band
_____ Brides' Attire, consider wedding band, wedding gown,
undergarments, headpiece, shoes, purse, makeup, hair, going away outfit,
honeymoon clothes, any additional jewellery – earrings, necklace
_____ Groom's Attire, consider wedding band, tuxedo, shoes, going away
outfit, honeymoon clothes, any additional jewellery – cufflinks
_____ Gifts, consider brides' attendants, groom's attendants, other
ceremony participants such as readers, optional gifts – parents, bride,
groom
_____ Photographer, Videopgrapher consider engagement portraits, wedding
portraits, photographer's fee, wedding proofs, wedding album, parents'
album, extra prints, videographers' fee
_____ Flowers and Decorations, consider flowers for wedding ceremony
site and reception site, decorations for wedding ceremony and reception
site, brides' bouquet, brides' attendants flowers, boutonnieres for
groom and his men including fathers and grandfathers, corsages for
mothers and grandmothers, table centerpieces
_____ Wedding Invitations and Stationery, consider wedding invitations,
thank-you notes, postage
_____ Transportation, consider limousines or rented cars, parking, tips
for drivers
_____ Honeymoon, consider transportation, accommodations, meals,
spending money
_____ Miscellaneous expenses, there will always be something here, plan
for it
GRAND TOTAL $________
As you can see there is a lot to consider. While you may not have to
consider everything in the points above, you do need to budget. Proper
budgeting and planning is a skill that will serve you well in your
future together.
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