Debbie's Wedding Planner
Budgeting
Planning and holding a wedding will definitely be a major expense, so we suggest you develop a plan and a budget. Be sure to list what you and your parents will pay, as well as what the Groom and his parents will pay for. When finished with the Budgeting process, make sure all parties have a copy of it and follow it.
Our experience is that without a Budget, one will get careless and spend more than they should. Spending unbudgeted funds can lead to your wedding costing more than it should. In fact, not budgeting properly can increase your expenses dramatically. When that happens there can be unwanted discussions and arguments. Following the Budget will help you avoid these problems.
When beginning the wedding planning process, the first two things you need to do are 1) schedule the church and 2) schedule a reception hall, as they can be booked out as far as 12 – 18 month in advance. The next item, and it might be the most important aspect on your planning list, should be establishing a Budget for the wedding.
For those that have not held a wedding recently you’ll need to brace yourself for sticker shock. It is not uncommon for an average wedding to cost $12,000 - $15,000, or even more. It is important to create a Budget and to follow it.
We suggest you visit the following website, www.theknot.com/budget, or consider the sample budget that follows at the end of this section. The Knot offers a great budget that you can plug in your wedding estimates and get a rough estimate of what your wedding might cost. If the initial amount is to low you can increase some expenses. If the amount is to high you can decrease some expense areas, until the total cost is something you feel comfortable with.
When you arrive at a budget amount that you feel comfortable with, then you can distribute some of the expenses between yourself, the Groom-to-be, and both parents. This allows you to manage your money and not get too far in debt.
With the high costs of weddings today, there are few individuals that can simply write a check and pay cash for everything. But what about those of us that can’t pay cash? There are numerous options for financing your wedding, including: 1) personal savings of Bride & Groom, 2) parents financial contribution, and 3) personal loans.
Since engagements can be as long as 12 – 24 months, you can plan for certain expenses ahead of time, and pay as you go. This lead-time allows you to estimate and allocate your expenses accordingly. Planning early for a $12,000 - $15,000 wedding expense will allow you to take the pain out of paying for your wedding.
We suggest you review the “Who Pays for What?” section in this website.
Our research has found a variety of articles associated with Budgeting, as well as a wide variety of answers to your many questions. This section only includes questions, answers and articles regarding Budgeting. For additional articles, questions or answers, please check a specific section or go to the main page of the Wedding Planner section at:
The Internet is a powerful tool that can be used to research and plan your wedding. However, we ask that you use the Internet for gathering your information and then purchase your products and services for your wedding locally. Local businesses that have made “Greetings!…from Debbie” Wedding Planner possible create local jobs; they pay local taxes; their employees volunteer in numerous community clubs and organizations; they contribute to a variety of local charities (including youth sports and non-profit organizations); and they provide service for the products and services they sell.
You may not receive the same treatment when securing something on the Internet.
Thanks for your consideration and cooperation!
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Click below to view and print a sample Budget Worksheet.
SAMPLE BUDGET WORKSHEET
The above worksheet is in PDF format. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to open and print these files. To install Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the logo below:
The following are articles, questions or answers pertaining to Budgeting:
Budgeting Worksheet
This is a great wedding planning budget worksheet. It includes types of expenses, estimated costs and the actual costs. The site also includes sections on “checklists,” “calendars,” “name changes,” “expense breakdowns,” and “books.” This is a must see, Debbie highly recommends!
Planning: Money-Saving Strategies (article)
Got great big wedding ideas and a teeny tiny budget? Our money-saving strategies will help you get the fabulous wedding you want with the budget you've got. This is a must see, according to Debbie!
Who Pays What -- Budget Worksheet
This site allows you to list all of your individual wedding expense amounts and who will be responsible for paying them. Debbie thinks this is a very useful budgeting tool.
Who Pays for What Wedding Rental Expenses
This site allows you to list all of your individual wedding rental expense amounts and who will be responsible for paying them. Debbie thinks this is a very useful budgeting tool.
Wedding Planner & Organizer Software Program
This site offers plenty of tips for planning and organizing your wedding, including: 1) Guest Lists, 2) Budgeting, 3) Printing, 4) To-Do Lists, 5) Seating, 6) Reports, and 7) Utilities. Debbie recommends.
Finances: 6 Ways to Pay Off Debts (article)
Do you have debts hanging over your heads? Look here for our helpful guide to getting rid of those pesky debts. Debbie urges anyone having wedding or regular debt to read!
Buying a Home: Can You Afford It? (article)
Getting married is a huge deal, and so is the next logical step -- buying a home together. Are you ready? Read this and find out. Should you buy Vs: rent? Debbie highly recommends this reading!
Finances: Bank Account Basics (article)
In the market for a new bank? Look here for a crash course on banking basics. This may seem simple, however, you’d be surprised at how many newlyweds overlook the importance of banking together. Debbie highly recommends this article – It’s a MUST!
Drinks: Ways to Save on Wine (article)
There are plenty of tasty, inexpensive wines available to serve at your Big Day bash. Here they are! Debbie highly recommends this reading!
Finances: Basics for Newlyweds (article)
The colliding of your monetary planets doesn't have to mean the end of the world. Try our tips for a smooth transition into fiscal harmony. Debbie suggests this for younger newlyweds!
Your Wedding Budget: 55 Ways to Save (article)
Got great big wedding ideas and a teeny tiny budget? Get the fabulous wedding you want with the budget you've got. Debbie recommends this for everyone!
Bridesmaids: 11 Budgeting Tips (article)
When you're in a friend's wedding, things can get pricey. It certainly helps to know what's in store before you jump in. Debbie urges every bridesmaid to use these suggestions!
Wedding Budgeting Worksheet
Includes a wedding budget worksheet, including budgeted cost, actual cost, deposit paid and balance due. Also includes sections on: 1) wedding planning, 2) wedding planning articles and 3) online E-books. A good site!
Wedding Garden.com Budget
A very useful budgeting worksheet for planning your wedding.
Wedding Budget Worksheet
This site includes an online budget worksheet that calculates the estimated and actual expenses of your wedding. It can be used from beginning to end of your planning.
How to Save on Wedding Transportation Costs (article)
This article suggests several ways to reduce your transportation costs the day of your wedding.
Wedding Money: Financing Your Festivities (article)
Paying for a wedding -- whether you're footing the bill or working with the parents on it -- it is a challenge all around. We've got some helpful advice.
Catholic Weddings: Resources (article)
Must-have resources, books, and links for planning a Catholic wedding.
Q&A: Finances: Splitting Wedding Costs? (article)
My fiancé and I both have divorced parents, so we decided to split the wedding costs five ways (and they agreed). We felt we should contribute since it is our wedding. The problem is that his sister is getting married a few months before us, and we don't think she and her fiancé are contributing to their own wedding. How can we approach this with my fiancé’s parents? It wouldn't be fair for us to struggle to save for our wedding when my future sister-in-law is getting a free ride. Help!
Jewish Weddings: Resources (article)
Must-have resources for planning a Jewish wedding.
Q&A: Showers: Expenses & Showers When You've Set Up House? (article)
If a couple has been living together for two years and has a child, a house, and two cars, what should they do about wedding expenses (i.e., what do parents pay for), and is a shower necessary?
Q&A: Wedding Planning: Ask Sibs to Pay Expenses? (article)
I'm working out a budget for my May wedding. My parents are deceased. Would it be correct etiquette to ask my siblings, who are all 10 or more years older than I, to help pay for the expenses that are usually paid for by the Bride's parents?
Finances: Best Books to Get You Started (article)
Find loads of hints and tips in these finance books designed to help you learn all about money.
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