Components of a Wedding: Budgeting

Budgeting is crucial when it comes to planning a wedding.  There are tons of components to a wedding budget. Hopefully this can guide you in the right direction.


The first step is an overview.

BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Beauty Budget
Ceremony Budget
Reception Budget
Entertainment Budget
Photography Budget
Decorations Budget
Honeymoon Budget
TOTAL

Now you must break the different categories down. One at a time

BEAUTY BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Dress
Veil
Hairpiece
Shoes
Slip
Bra
Sash / Embellishment
Alterations
Bustle
Hair Appointment
Make Up
Pedicure / Manicure
Surprise
TOTAL

CEREMONY BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Venue
Officiate
Chairs
Unity Candle
Aisle Runner
Programs
Pianist / Musician
Changing Rooms
Surprise
TOTAL

RECEPTION BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Venue
Food
Eating Utensils
Tables
Chairs
Cake
Alcohol
Surprise
TOTAL

ENTERTAINMENT BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
DJ
Photo Booth
Transportation
TOTAL:

PHOTOGRAPHY BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Engagement Photos
Pre-Ceremony
Ceremony
Locations
Reception
Second Photographer
Photo Album
Rights to Photos
Prints
TOTAL

DECORATIONS BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Cake Topper
Cake Cutter
Champaign Flukes
Card Box
Flowers
Swag
Candles
Surprise
TOTAL

HONEYMOON BUDGET	GOAL	ACTUAL
Transportation
Accommodations
Excursions
Food / Drink
Passport
Surprise
TOTAL

I highly recommend always creating and budget for the surprise category.  You just never know what will happen!  With this budget you are able to track how much you want to spend and what you actually spent, making it easy to see if you need to start cutting back on something.