Simple Steps To Creating a Realistic Wedding Budget

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Before you dive deep into this article, I recommend you read the previous article, What Should I Do First When Planning My Wedding. If you’ve read it, great, let’s get into this one!

Why I’m Writing About This Topic

Today, we’re talking about simple steps to creating a REALISTIC wedding budget. Notice I said REALISTIC. Because let me tell you: basically ALL of the articles you see out there are misleading you when they say you should budget $30,000 for your wedding (because that’s average) or  you can have the wedding of your dreams (with every little detail covered) for $500, $1000, or $5,000.

But, I get why you’re drawn to those articles - those numbers seem manageable. They give you hope that the wedding of your dreams is within financial reach. Especially in our current economy, when inflation is high along with the cost of everyday essentials. Though you may not want to talk about money, those reasons mentioned in the above sentences are the exact reasons why you should know what you’re getting into, financially, as you begin to plan your wedding.

So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

The Average Cost of Weddings

When you google “how much does a wedding cost” - what’s the first thing you see? “The average wedding cost in 2021 was $28,000.” 

So what happens next? Couples are like okay, I can plan my wedding for less than or right around that. But this, my friend, is a big mistake. The averages are not doing you any justice. They’re not helpful unless you’re getting a breakdown of the details and spending at weddings that look like YOURS. 

If you’re someone planning a 300 person wedding in a major city in peak wedding season, you’d be doing yourself a major disservice to think you should only budget 30-40k (or less). But if you are, I get it, you’re new to this, the only information you have is whatever the major blogs are putting out and what you ultimately plan your whole wedding around. So that’s why I’m here, to guide you since the blogs are clearly misleading you. 

Let me break it down. 

The Real Cost of Weddings

Your venue, catering, and photo/video will be three of your most expensive costs.

The cost of a venue that can hold 300 people will be significantly more expensive than one that can hold 100 or less. 

So again, you’re someone planning a large wedding in a major city, let’s look at what you’re in for when it comes to cost: 

1 - Venue

Description: 

  • Venue capacity: 200+ 

  • The ceremony took place outdoors, the cocktail area in a rotunda area indoors, and the reception also indoors 

  • The price included table linens, chiavari chairs, bar glassware, flatware/glassware for dinner tables, open bar / bartenders, and security

Tota Price: $19,000 

You probably read that, dropped whatever you were drinking, choked a bit, wiped your eyes and your mouth was open in disbelief…

Well friend, that amount is from a real client wedding.

Back to that $28k average wedding, that leaves you with 9k for everything else.

Could that work? Let’s look at another real wedding - this time, catering:

2 - Catering

Description:

  • Guest count: 175 

  • This price included full table settings, buffet setup, service equipment, and staffing 

  • The food options consisted of rice, chicken/beef/tofu, veggies, sauces, and three passed appetizers 

Tota Price: $14,000 

Already with JUST a venue and catering you’re looking at $33k. 

But let’s talk about one more that I previously mentioned - photo/video:

2 - Photography/Videography

I was recently quoted for a client wedding and it included: 

  • 12 hours coverage (video & pictures)

  • Pre-wedding shoot (pictures & up to 10 seconds IG video reel)

  • Premium Photo album

  • 12 x12 Metal Print

  • 1000+ pictures at the highest resolution

  • Up to 7 - 15 minutes video highlight reel

  • Video Drone shot if location(s) permits)

  • Full video (4k – 8k camera quality) on a USB flash drive

Tota Price: $7,800

So with 3 major categories of expenses, you’re already looking at a total cost of $40,800! And we haven’t even talked about the other 13 categories of expenses. 

So you see why the blogs can be misleading - it’s because they aren’t going into detail with you about the REAL cost of a wedding based on a REAL wedding that wasn’t DIY (not every bride is like that).

So, if you’re going to start planning soon, my advice is to consult with a planner, ask them real numbers and base your budget and decisions from there. Not from websites that state, “according to the latest report…” 

Matter of fact - let’s schedule a time to talk. I’ll guide you right from the start. 

Ready to make your budget but need a template? Submit your information below and you’ll get access to the one we use for our clients!

Wedding Planning AdviceJumi Abudget