This checklist includes the items most weddings entail, as well as the “typical” percentage of your budget. Feel free to adjust according to your own priorities.
Step 1: Figure Out Who’s Contributing
Step 2: Choose Your Non-Negotiables
Step 3: Estimate Your Guest Count
Step 4: Do Your Research
Step 5: Crunch The Numbers
invites/printing (2%) may include
$_________________ Wedding Ceremony Programs
$_________________ Wedding Invitations (including RSVP cards or maps)
$_________________ Place Cards
$_________________ Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
$_________________ Return Address Labels
$_________________ Postage (for invitations and RSVP envelopes, thank you cards)
$_________________ Envelopes (specialty sizes are more expensive to ship)
$_________________ Menu Cards
$_________________ Save The Dates
$_________________ Custom Napkins
$_________________ Favor Labels
$_________________ Thank You Cards
transportation (2%) may include
$_________________ Bridal Party Transportation to the Ceremony Venue
$_________________ Bridal Party Transportation to the Reception Venue
$_________________ Gratuity for the Driver(s)
$_________________ Shuttle Service to transport guests to/from hotels
$_________________ Valet Parking Service
flowers & decor (8%) may include
$_________________ Specialty Décor Rentals (e.g. tenting, lanterns, candelabras, etc.)
$_________________ Wedding Chalkboards/Signage
$_________________ Reception Centerpieces (for guest tables, guest book table, food stations)
$_________________ Bouquets (for bride and bridesmaids, a toss bouquet)
$_________________ Boutonnières (for groom, groomsmen, fathers and/or grandfathers)
$_________________ Flowers and Accessories (for the flower girl/ring bearer)
$_________________ Delivery Fees
$_________________ Ceremony Arch/Chuppah
$_________________ Ceremony Arrangements
$_________________ Wedding Cake Flowers
attire (7%) may include
$_________________ Wedding Dress
$_________________ Veil
$_________________ Wedding Dress Alterations
$_________________ Specialty Undergarments
$_________________ Wedding Shoes
$_________________ Jewelry/Accessories
$_________________ Groom’s Tux + Shoes
$_________________ Reception Outfit
venue (18%) may include
$_________________ Space Rental Fee
$_________________ Venue Deposit
$_________________ Ceremony Fee
$_________________ Additional Rentals
$_________________ Dance Floor Rental
$_________________ Tax/Other Fees
$_________________ Liability Insurance
beauty (2%) may include
$_________________ Professional Shave
$_________________ Tips (normally 20%)
$_________________ Hair Trial Appointment
$_________________ Waxing
$_________________ Facials
$_________________ Mani-Pedi
$_________________ Pre-Wedding Haircuts or Color
$_________________ Day-of Wedding Hairstyle
$_________________ Day-of Wedding Makeup
photos (10%) may include
$_________________ Engagement Session
$_________________ Rehearsal Dinner Coverage
$_________________ Wedding Day Coverage
$_________________ Albums or Prints
$_________________ Same Day Edit
$_________________ Raw Footage
$_________________ Highlight Reel
$_________________ Feature Film
food (18%) may include
$_________________ Setup and/or Cleanup Fees
$_________________ Plated, Buffet, or Family-Style
$_________________ Catering Rentals
$_________________ Catering Equipment (plates, silverware, glassware, serving platters, etc.)
$_________________ Rehearsal Dinner
$_________________ Tax and Gratuity
$_________________ Service Staff
$_________________ Food Stations
$_________________ Passed Hors D’oeuvres
$_________________ Bar/Beverage Service
$_________________ Vendor Meals
planner (3%-15%) may include
$_________________ Venue and/or Vendor Referrals and Liaison
$_________________ Day-Of, Month-Of or Full-Service Coordination
$_________________ Budget Development
$_________________ Timeline Creation
$_________________ Rehearsal Coordination
$_________________ Wedding Day Setup and Management
drinks (8%) may include
$_________________ Open Bar
$_________________ Mixers
$_________________ Bar Signage
$_________________ Coffee / Tea
$_________________ Glassware
$_________________ Reception Drinks
$_________________ Champagne Toast
$_________________ Cocktail Hour
$_________________ (if you can BYO)
$_________________ Liquor License (if not provided)
$_________________ Specialty Cocktails
$_________________ Non-alcoholic Beverages
$_________________ Hosted Beer & Wine
$_________________ Bartender Gratuity
$_________________ Corkage Fees
favors & gifts (2%)
$_________________ Wedding Favors
$_________________ Wedding Party Gifts
$_________________ Gifts for Flower Girls /Ring Bearers
$_________________ Spouse Gift
$_________________ Parent Gifts
$_________________ Welcome Baskets
$_________________ Other
ceremony (2%) may include
$_________________ Ceremony Site
$_________________ Church Donation
$_________________ Officiant Fee
$_________________ Marriage Licensen
$_________________ Ceremony Accessories (ring pillow, flower girl basket, candle, etc.)
$_________________ Other
music (8%) may include
$_________________ Ceremony Musicians
$_________________ Cocktail Hour Music
$_________________ Microphone (for ceremony/toasts)
$_________________ Reception DJ or Live Band
$_________________ Sound-system or extra speakers
$_________________ Photo Booth & Dance Floor Lighting
cake (2%) may include
$_________________ Wedding Cake
$_________________ Sheet Cake for extra servings
$_________________ Cake Topper
$_________________ Cake Stand
$_________________ Cake-Cutting Fee
$_________________ Delivery Fee
extra fees (5%) may include
$_________________ Vendor Tips
$_________________ Sales Tax
$_________________ Service Charges
$_________________ Wedding Insurance
$_________________ Overtime Fees
