Wedding Budgets

We have had loads of couples ask if there is a guideline for what percentage of a wedding budget should be allocated to each item.
This is a really hard question to answer because it is very subjective: one couple may want to spend more on food & drink; another may have the transport to the wedding as a high priority & allocate more funds to that, plus some couples manage to get “free stuff” like Mum bakes the cake or you borrow some fancy cars from a friend.

So below is a guide as to what percentage can be allocated to each category, but remember nothing is cast in stone.

Ceremony	5%
Reception	32%
Flowers & Decor	7%
Stationery	3.5%
Photography & Videography	15%
Transport	2%
Cake	2.5%
Finery	15%
Rings	3%
Bridesmaids Outfits	4%
Gifts	1%
Doodads	10%

Wedding Budget Detail:

Ceremony – 5%
Your ceremony costs include the marriage license, Celebrant fee, musician fees, and bits and pieces like the unity candle or the pillow for the ring.

Reception – 32%
Includes venue fee, tables, chairs, cutlery, crockery, staff, food and drinks.

Flowers & Décor – 7.5%
Including your bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnières for the groom and groomsmen, corsages, confetti, and centerpieces for the reception, draping, fairy light curtain, chair covers, etc.

Stationery – 3.5%
This includes invitations, response cards, printer’s fees, postage, your guest book, your thank-you notes and favours’.

Photography and Videography – 15%
Includes the photographers package (including travel fees), videographer & disposable cameras and printing.

Transport – 2%
This could include transportation for the wedding party and a guest shuttle or parking attendants if you have them.

Entertainment – 4.5%
That includes equipment rental and a band or DJ.

Cake – 2.5%
Including cake, flowers for the cake & cake knife.

Finery – 15%
Includes your gown, tux rental, shoes and accessories, jewellery, hair and makeup, your headpiece or veil, cufflinks, suspenders, tie and studs, and, yes, your fancy sexy underwear.

Rings – 3%
This is just for the wedding bands.

Bridesmaid outfits – 4%
Depending on the arrangement you have with your bridesmaids, you may have to pay for this one or not. If you do, it can include, dresses, shoes, jewellery, hair & make-up.

Gifts – 1%
Gifts for your wedding attendants and parents.

Doodads – 10%
This is for all the small un-expected bills that pop up.

Please note that no Honeymoon costs have been included, don’t forget to budget for this too (better still, set up a Honeymoon Registry).

Need to save on your wedding budget? Apply for our free VIP Card & receive great specials & discounts from a variety of wedding suppliers.
Book on one of our free Wedding Planning Workshops and learn how to save even more on your wedding.