wedding 2020 | A WEDDING BUDGET

date posted: March 18, 2020

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