When it comes to weddings, there is no such thing as one size fits all. Every couple is different and will have their own unique set of needs and wants. As a result, it is important to tailor a wedding budget to fit each individual client. By helping your clients to create a realistic budget and stick to it, they can have the wedding they’ve always wanted without breaking the bank.
Creating a Realistic Wedding Budget
Are you a new wedding planner looking for tips on how to create a wedding budget for your clients? If so, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to create a wedding budget that is both realistic and achievable for your clients. So, read on to learn more!
What Influences a Wedding Budget?
There are a number of factors that can influence a client’s wedding budget. Where you live, for example, can have a big impact on costs. If your couple chooses to have a local wedding, they may be able to save money on travel and accommodations for guests. On the other hand, a destination wedding can be more expensive, but it may also be more memorable. The number of guests a couple decides to invite can also influence the budget. A small, intimate wedding will usually be less expensive than a large affair. And finally, the traditions they choose to uphold or introduce can also affect their bottom line. A simple ceremony with minimal décor may be less costly than a traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles. Ultimately, it’s up to your couples to decide what’s most important and factor that into their budget planning.
Research– How much do weddings cost in your area?
What to Include in Your Wedding Budget
One of the first things you’ll need to budget for is the cost of the venue. This will likely be your client’s biggest expense, so it’s important to have a clear idea of what they’re willing to spend. In addition to the venue, they’ll also need to budget for vendors such as the photographer, videographer, florist, and caterer. Be sure to get quotes from a few different vendors in order to get a sense of what the average cost will be. Other items that you’ll need to include in their budget are invitations, save-the-dates, thank-you cards, favors, decorations, and music. Of course, don’t forget about the cost of the wedding dress and suit as well! By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can help create a realistic and achievable wedding budget.
Questionnaire Questions- What’s your total wedding budget? Where is the money for your wedding fund coming from? What type of experience do you want to create for your guests? What kind of memories do you want to make?
Set a Spending Limit
When it comes to wedding planning, setting a spending limit is essential. Otherwise, you run the risk of blowing a client’s budget—which could lead them into debt. But how do you set a realistic spending limit? The first step is to sit down with your clients and figure out what they can afford to spend. This means your clients need to take a close look at their income and debts, as well as any savings they have. Once you have a clear idea of their financial situation, you can start setting a budget for the wedding. Remember to give them a little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. Finally, agree on a spending limit that you’re both comfortable with. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that their wedding planning stays on track—and within budget.
Questionnaire Questions- How many guests would you like to invite, and how many guests do you expect to come? How much money have you saved for the wedding? Do you anticipate receiving any additional contributions or help for your wedding? Do you have any plans to finance any portion of the wedding costs?
Wedding Budget Breakdown: The Percentages
Wedding budgets can be tricky to navigate. There are so many different expense categories, and it can be tough to determine how much to allocate to each one. To help you plan your client’s budget, we’ve put together a breakdown of the typical percentages spent in each wedding expense category. Of course, every wedding is different, and you’ll need to adjust these percentages based on your client’s specific circumstances. Keep in mind that these numbers are meant to be a guide—your actual budget may vary depending on the size and location of the wedding, as well as your client’s personal preferences. But this should give you a good starting point as you begin to plan your client’s big day.
Attire: 7% – This includes the cost of your client’s dress or suit, as well as any rental fees for tuxedos or other formalwear.
Beauty: 2% – This covers hair and makeup, as well as any additional costs for fake eyelashes, nail treatments, etc.
Cake: 2% – Wedding cakes can be quite expensive, so be sure to set aside enough money to cover the cost of your client’s dream cake.
Ceremony: 4% – The cost of the officiant, as well as any decorations or rentals for the ceremony space.
Drinks: 8% – This covers the cost of alcohol for the reception. Be sure to factor in the cost of bartenders or other staff if necessary.
Favors + Gifts: 2% – Wedding favors and gifts for the bridal party, parents of the bride and groom, and other VIPs can add up quickly, so be sure to budget accordingly.
Flowers + Décor: 8% – This covers the cost of floral arrangements and other decorations for both the ceremony and reception spaces.
Food: 15% – Catering can be one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding, so it’s important to set aside a healthy budget for food and drink. Be sure to factor in the cost of appetizers, entrées, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Invites + Paper: 2% – Wedding invitations can be quite costly, especially if you’re opting for custom designs or printable templates. Be sure to factor in the cost of postage as well.
Music: 8% – The cost of hiring musicians or a DJ for your client’s reception, as well as any sound equipment rentals required.
Photos / Video: 10% – The average wedding photographer’s fee is between $2,000–$3,000 dollars; wedding videographers average around $1,500–$2,000 dollars. Hiring a student or amateur photographer/videographer will obviously decrease these averages.
Reception Venue: 18% – The cost of renting a reception space can vary widely depending on the size and location of the venue. Be sure to get several quotes before booking a space.
Transportation: 2% – This covers the cost of transportation for the bride and groom, as well as any guests who may need assistance getting to and from the wedding venue(s).
Wedding Planner: 10% – A professional wedding planner can help relieve some of the stress associated with planning a wedding. Be sure to factor your fee into their budget.
Wedding Rings: 2% – The cost of engagement rings and wedding bands can vary widely depending on the quality and design of the rings. Be sure to set aside enough money to purchase rings that you love.
Questionnaire Questions- How would you like to divide up your budget? What’s most important to you? What are you willing and able to splurge on?
Who Pays for What
When it comes to getting married, there are a lot of things to think about—and who pays for what is often one of the biggest questions. While traditions vary, there are some general guidelines that can help couples figure out who pays for what. Often, the bride’s family will cover the cost of the wedding, while the groom’s family will pay for the rehearsal dinner. The bride and groom may also choose to split the cost of the wedding cake and favors. As for the actual wedding, who pays for what can vary depending on who is hosting. If the bride’s parents are hosting, they may cover all or most of the expenses. However, if the couple is paying for their own wedding, they will likely need to figure out a budget and stick to it.
Questionnaire Questions- Who’s paying and how much are they contributing? How much control over the planning process will your contributors have?
Money Saving Wedding Costs
As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, the costs can quickly add up. But there are ways to save money on the big day without compromising on style or quality. Here are a few tips. Shop around for vendors and compare prices before booking. Consider having the ceremony and reception at the same venue to save on transportation costs. Help simplify the décor. Stick to a few key elements and don’t go overboard with floral arrangements or other extras. Skip the favors. Guests will appreciate not having to lug around another trinket when that money could be used for a drink at the open bar. And speaking of the open bar, consider serving beer and wine only instead of a full liquor selection. It’s cheaper and most people won’t notice the difference anyway. By following these tips, you can help your clients save a significant amount of money on their wedding without sacrificing anything that will make it special.
Questionnaire Questions- Are you willing to be flexible on the wedding date?
How to Create a Budget and Stick to It
Weddings can be expensive—there’s no way around it. But that doesn’t mean your clients have to go into debt to pay for their big day. The key is to create a wedding budget and stick to it. This means knowing what they can afford right from the start. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to sit down and calculate how much money your clients (and their parents, if they’re helping with the wedding) can realistically afford to spend. Help them to prioritize their spending. Figure out what’s most important to them and allocate their funds accordingly. For example, if they’re not too picky about the venue, they can save money by choosing a less expensive location. Or if they want an elaborate wedding dress but don’t care too much about the flowers, put more of their budget towards the dress and skimp on the flowers. Help them shop around for vendors. Don’t just go with the first vendor they find. Get quotes from several different vendors and compare prices before making a decision. They may be able to save a significant amount of money by shopping around.
Questionnaire Questions- How will you track your wedding budget? Do you have any vendors in mind? What weddings have you been to that you didn’t like? How hands-off or involved do you like to be?
Wedding Budget Last Words
All in all, setting a wedding budget is an important part of a couple’s wedding planning process. Knowing what to consider and what to allocate money to can help a couple stay on track with their budget. With the right information and advice, couples can create a wedding budget that is both realistic and enjoyable. Having the right information can also help wedding planners guide their clients in making informed decisions that will help them stick to their wedding budget. Plus, our handy Bride-to-Boss Business Suite will help keep track of all those pesky client finances (and everything else!) so you can focus on what’s important—planning the perfect wedding! So what are you waiting for? Get started today. Happy budgeting!
