Let’s Talk Wedding Budget

June 3, 2020

bride and groom walking on grounds of The Bradford Estate wedding budget Let’s talk wedding budget. This is usually the topic that nobody wants to talk about, but is also the most important when wedding planning. When you are ready to start planning your wedding it is a good idea to sit down and have a conversation about budget with everyone who is contributing. It helps to make sure everyone is on the same page and who is going to be paying for what.

What is a Good Wedding Budget? 

There is no wrong or right answer for what is a good budget, because each couple is different. Nationally the average wedding is about $33,000, but the average wedding in NJ ranges from $40,000-$62,000 depending on the location. This does not mean you have to have that same exact budget to have a great wedding though. Being flexible with the day of the week and guest count can help your wedding budget to go even farther. 

How to Calculate your Wedding Budget

Based on The Knot, the typical breakdown of a wedding budget is as follows: 48-50% – Reception (Venue, Catering, Cake) 2-3% – Ceremony 8-10% – Attire 8-10% – Flowers 8-10% – Entertainment and/or Music 10-12% -Photography and/or Videography 2-3% – Stationary (Don’t forget postage) 2-3% – Wedding Rings 2-3% – Parking and Transportation 2-3% – Gifts 8% – Miscellaneous It is always a good idea to have a “just in case” percentage set aside should you want to go over wedding budget on something you love or for those costs that were not originally accounted for. Usually 5% is a good amount for this. Also don’t forget to factor in gratuities when budgeting for the wedding vendors that are customary to tip.

Getting on the Same Page with Your Fiancé

Having honest conversations about what is important to the two of you is so important. You cannot read each other’s mind so if you’re working on booking a photographer and the one you love is more expensive, express how important that is to you, and that you’re willing to cut the wedding budget somewhere else to accommodate the higher expense. If your fiancé wants a more expensive DJ because that’s what is most important to them, then listen, and be willing to adjust for them as well. The two of you are on the same team with the same end-goal in mind, so work together. Sharing your honest feelings and listening to each other are not just good tools for wedding planning, but are good tools for building a strong marriage as well. Communication is always key. By Tabitha Fitzsimmons, The Bradford Estate Wedding Coordinator  For more help with all your wedding planning needs, contact us today. Check out some ideas here!