You’re engaged – massive congratulations! Now the fun begins.
It's time to start thinking about your wedding day and how to put together your wedding budget. To get you started, here are a few useful tips to consider.
Guest List
One of the most important aspects of planning your wedding is to have a really good idea of the number of guests you’re expecting to invite. This will have a huge impact on which venue to choose and the budget available.
Venue/Marquee at Home
Once you know the approximate number of guests you’re expecting at your wedding, you’ll then be able to start your venue research to create a shortlist of suitable venues to get married in.
As the majority of our clients opt for marquee weddings at home, the size of the marquee can be altered to accommodate different numbers of guests, providing there is enough space in the garden to increase the marquee footprint.
The venue or wedding marquee will be the biggest expenditure on your budget and costs will vary hugely depending on the calibre & location of the venue and the size, styling and dressing of the marquee.
Catering
Catering is the second biggest expense on your wedding budget. Most venues offer a “cost per head” wedding package to include a welcome drinks reception followed by a sit-down wedding breakfast menu.
When hosting a marquee wedding at home, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of a catering tent to adjoin the main marquee for food preparation and service, along with any kitchen equipment required.
A few other pointers to consider. What will you offer guests during the drinks reception – there is a big cost difference between champagne vs prosecco. What is the duration of your drinks reception – so how long do the drinks need to last for. How many canapes will you serve per person? Will you have a 2 or 3 course sit down wedding breakfast? Will you be providing an evening bar for guests and if so, what drinks will you serve? All of these decisions will affect your budget.
Wedding Style and Décor
The style of your wedding will also play a big role with your budget. If you’re opting for a lavish, opulent wedding, this will inevitably cost more than an informal wedding.
Many of the couples we work with, like to make a real impact with flowers to create a focal point at the wedding, along with carefully curated table décor and linen.
Lighting is also key as this really lifts the overall look and feel of your wedding.
Photography and Video
The cost for photographers and videographers may seem like a big part of your budget but it’s worth investing in a good photographer/videographer. They capture the moments of your wedding which will last a lifetime and the photos they take become beautiful keepsakes.
Entertainment
Live music at weddings is always great and really sets the tone for the day. Whether it be a band, DJ or choir, all of these need to be considered when planning your budget.
Wedding Budget Breakdown
According to an article written for Brides on 11/28/22, this is a good indication of how your wedding budget is divided up in percentage terms.
Venue and Catering: 40% of your budget
Photography and Videography: 15% of your budget
Décor: 10% of your budget
Music/Entertainment: 10% of your budget
Flowers: 10% of your budget
Wedding Attire and Beauty: 5% of your budget
Stationery: 3% of your budget
Transportation: 3% of your budget
Favours and Gifts: 2% of your budget
Wedding Cake: 2% of your budget
As a wedding planner, we help our couples through the wedding planning process and help them to prepare a wedding budget, keeping track of spend and making sure payments to suppliers are made on time and are kept within budget.
If you’d like to discuss your upcoming wedding, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch.
We’re based in Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire and work in and around the Home Counties, as well as further afield.
Photo credits: Joseph Benjamin Marquees, Sojo Kitchen, Stemtation Flowers, Cinzia Bruschini, Eight Ray Music