Setting up a Wedding Budget will help you in controlling the amount of money you spend on your wedding. Not documenting your budget may lead you to spending more than you planned or worse, more than what you can afford.

One of the major factors that determine your wedding cost is the number of guests you invite. It will be ideal to just invite and share the special day with those who are close to your heart.

In general, around 40% of the Wedding Budget is spent on the caterer (food, drinks, and cake), 14% on clothing, 10% on entertainment, 8% on flowers, 7% on video and photography, 4% on the reception, 4% on gifts, 3% on invitation and other printed materials, 2% on transportation, and 8% on miscellaneous items.

When estimating your budget, be sure to consider all costs. The following is a list of the traditional wedding costs to guide you in determining your budget to help you figure out what you want and what you can afford.

The Ceremony
The Ceremony includes the venue of the wedding - whether in a church, synagogue or garden, the organist, and everything related to the wedding ceremony are paid by the bride and her family. The groom pays for the marriage license and the officiant’s fee.

Clothes
The Bridal Gown, veil, accessories, trousseau and lingerie is paid by the bride and her family. The Groom and his family pay for the groom’s outfit. For the entourage, the clothes of the female members of the entourage are sometimes paid by the couple. All other attendants pay for their own clothes.

Flowers
The Bride and her family pay for the flower arrangements for the church, the reception, and the bouquets and corsages for the bridesmaids and flower girls.

The bridal bouquet, going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers are paid by the groom and family.

Honeymoon
The honeymoon is paid by the groom and family.

Photography and/or Videography
Photos and videos are paid by the bride and family.

Prewedding Parties
In general, the bride or the groom’s family plans and hosts engagement party. If there is more than one, the bride’s family hosts the first one.

The groom and family plans and hosts for the bachelor’s dinner and the rehearsal dinner. The bride and family plans and host the bridesmaids’ luncheon.

The maid of honor and bridesmaids host the shower, while the bachelor party is hosted by the best man and ushers.

Friends can also throw additional engagement parties or showers.

Reception
All professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music are paid by the bride and family.

Rings
The groom and/or his family pay for the bride’s rings while the bride and/or her family pays for the groom’s ring.

Stationery
Invitations, announcements and wedding program are paid by the bride and her family.

Transportation
The bride and her family pays for the transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.