Wedding Articles | Wedding Budget Checklist | Bride's Checklist

Now that you’ve enjoyed your engagement for a little while, it’s time to start planning your dream wedding. Your first step will be setting your budget to determine what your limits will be and how you should proceed with your planning.

Tradition used to be that the parents of the bride would pay for everything but that may not be possible these days. Determine if both sets of parents are willing to help and if so then you have to know exactly what that amount will be in order to proceed. If you want to have most of the control of your wedding (parents will always try to have input) then perhaps it’s best for you and your fiancé to pay for the entire wedding.

Most of your wedding expense will go towards the reception. Second will be photography and videography. Below is a breakdown of how much you can expect to spend on each aspect of your wedding:

Expected Expenses	% of Budget	Your guesstimate	Actual Cost
Ceremony- includes the location fee, Officiant fee, marriage license, musician’s fees, and ring pillow	3%
Reception- includes Reception site, food, drinks, rentals, cake and favors (shop now: www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com )	48%
Attire – includes Dress, Headpiece/veil, undergarments and hosiery, shoes, accessories, jewelry, hair and makeup, Groom's Tuxedo or Suit, shoes, bow tie, cuff links, studs, and suspenders	10%
Rings - includes his and her rings, and engraving	3%
Flowers includes ceremony, bride's bouquet, maid-of-honor and bridesmaid bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, centerpieces, and flower-girl basket	8%
Music includes ceremony Musicians, Band and/or DJ, cocktail hour musicians, and sound system rental	12%
Photography includes photographer and Videographer's fees, albums, additional prints, and disposable cameras	2%
Transportation includes limousine, transportation for wedding party, guest shuttle and/or parking attendants	2%
Stationery includes invitations, response cards, thank you notes, postage, calligraphy, and guest book	3%
Gifts includes bridesmaid and groomsmen, parents, and welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.	3%

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