Most brides and grooms feel overwhelmed at one point or another in the process of planning their wedding. The most important thing to remember is to be calm, and stay organized. Here are several tools to help you in this process, so that your big day can go as smoothly as possible.
It is no longer expected that wedding costs will be assigned according to tradition. The bride and groom should discuss their plan and budget for the wedding with their families to determine whether to follow a traditional division of financial responsibility for the wedding costs.
If circumstances don’t allow the families to follow tradition, the proper rationale in deciding who pays for what portion is basic: whoever is most willing and most able to pay for a wedding expense assumes responsibility for that expense.
Establishing a wedding budget is the first, and most important, step of the planning process.
Look over the following expense categories. Then prioritize the categories by determining which elements of your wedding celebration are most important to you (example: We want to have funds for a videographer so we will cut back on...).
Determine the financial resources available to you and your fiancé from your own funds and from family. Allocate ample budget for the important items.
Your wedding reception will probably be the most costly part of your plan. Be realistic. Don’t expect to get great food and service for take-out" prices. If you have to make cuts, reduce the size of your guest list, not the quality of your party.
Don’t be surprised or concerned if your budget priorities and allocations shift during the early stages of the budgeting process. Just be sure to stay within total-budget bounds and to use a pencil for the first round!.
You may want to hire a Bridal Consultant to help you. A Consultant's knowledge of the local wedding industry can help you to save time and money!
Bride
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Personal stationery
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Groom’s wedding ring
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Wedding gift for groom
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Gifts for bridal party
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Gowns for bridal party (optional)
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Accommodations for out-of-town members of bridal party (optional)
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Luncheon for bridal party
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Gift for parents (optional)
Bride’s Family
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Engagement party
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Wedding gift for newlyweds
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Wedding reception costs
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Wedding ceremony facility costs, including decorations
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Bride’s wedding apparel and trousseau
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Bride’s parents’ wedding apparel
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Invitations, announcements, thank-you notes, postage
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Wedding ceremony programs
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Engagement and wedding photographs
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Videographer
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Musicians/vocalists
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Bridal party bouquets and flowers for flower girl
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Flowers for ceremony and reception
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Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
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Security and insurance for gifts
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Welcome party for out-of-town guests (optional)
Bridal Party Members
Groom
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Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
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Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage
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Wedding gift for bride
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Honeymoon
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Boutonnieres for men in wedding party
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Mothers’ corsages
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Gifts for best man, groomsman, and ushers
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Groomsmen’s apparel (optional)
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Accommodations for out-of-town members of groom’s party (optional)
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Marriage license
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Fee for officiant
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Gift for parents (optional)
Grooms Family
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Engagement party (optional; following party by bride’s parents)
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Groom’s personal stationery and thank-you notes
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Groom’s wedding apparel
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Groom’s parents’ wedding apparel
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Rehearsal dinner
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Wedding gift for newlyweds
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Shipment of wedding gifts to couple’s new home
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Welcome party for out-of-town guests (optional)
Grooms Party Members
Accessories for reception
Gifts
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Bridesmaids
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Groomsmen & Ushers
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Parents
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Wedding Coordination
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Bridal consultant
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Event insurance
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Additional Expenses
Optional Expenses
Don't forget
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Bride’s engagement ring
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Bride’s wedding ring
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Groom’s wedding ring
Videographer
Flowers
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Bride’s bouquet
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Bridesmaids’ bouquets
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Boutonnieres/corsages
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Ceremony site flowers
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Reception site flowers
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Music/Entertainment
Transportation
Health & Beauty
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Hair & make-up
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Manicure/pedicure
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Spa/skincare
Stationery
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Invitations/Reply cards
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Wedding programs
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Thank you notes
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Announcements
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Maps/Save the date cards
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Reception
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Catering/food servers/tax/gratuity
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Facility rental
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Rental equipment/decorations
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Beverages/bar/corkage fee
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Cake/cake cutting fee
Ceremony
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Facility rental
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Officiate fee
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Marriage license
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Rental equipment’ decorations
Apparel (Bride)
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Bridal gown
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Headpiece/veil
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Shoes
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Jewelry
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Alterations
Apparel (Groom)
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Groom’s formalwear
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Accessories (shoes, cufflinks, etc.:
Photographer
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