PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE

SETTING A Comfortable Wedding Budget

A good wedding budget is not about spending as little—or as much—as possible. It is about choosing a figure that feels comfortable and using it on the things that matter most to you.

1AGREE 2ALLOCATE 3TRACK

BUILD YOUR BUDGET BACK TO THE PLANNER

Your wedding should fit your life—not put your life under pressure.

Decide what you can genuinely afford before looking at what everyone else appears to spend.

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FOUR SIMPLE STEPS

Build the Budget From the Top Down

Start with the total amount available. Then protect your priorities before dividing the rest between the other parts of the day.

Choose Your Maximum

Agree the largest total you would feel comfortable spending without relying on uncertain income or leaving yourselves financially stretched.

Write down: Our comfortable maximum budget is £________

Confirm Contributions

If relatives have offered to help, confirm the amount and whether it is a gift or intended for a particular part of the wedding.

Include only: Money that has been clearly agreed and is genuinely available.

Keep a Reserve

Set aside part of the total for price changes, delivery charges, alterations and the little extras that appear later.

A useful guide: Hold back around 5–10% as a contingency.

Protect Your Priorities

Allocate sensible amounts to your three most important parts of the wedding before spreading the remainder across everything else.

Remember: Your priorities do not have to match anyone else’s.

A FLEXIBLE STARTING POINT

How Might the Budget Be Divided?

These broad ranges are only conversation starters. Move the figures around to reflect your venue, guest numbers and priorities.

The percentages overlap because every wedding is different. They are prompts, not a total you must follow.

Venue, food and drink35–50%

Photography and video10–18%

Outfits and beauty8–15%

Flowers and styling8–15%

Music and entertainment5–10%

Transport and stationery3–8%

YOUR WORKING BUDGET

Start With These Main Categories

Add an estimated amount now and replace it with the confirmed cost when each supplier is booked.

Category	Estimated	Confirmed	Paid	Remaining
Venue, ceremony, food and drink	£	£	£	£
Photography and videography	£	£	£	£
Wedding outfits and alterations	£	£	£	£
Flowers, cake and decorations	£	£	£	£
Entertainment and music	£	£	£	£
Transport and accommodation	£	£	£	£
Stationery, gifts and extras	£	£	£	£
Total	£	£	£	£

EASILY OVERLOOKED

Remember the Smaller Costs

Individually they may look modest, but together they can make a noticeable difference.

✓Postage for invitations

✓Dress and suit alterations

✓Supplier travel charges

✓Delivery and collection fees

✓Venue corkage or service charges

✓Accessories and underwear

✓Thank-you gifts

✓Last-minute guest changes

DEPOSITS AND BALANCES

Keep a record of every payment date

A quoted total is only part of the picture. Record each deposit, instalment and final balance, along with the date it must be paid. Keep contracts and payment confirmations together.

NEXT IN YOUR PLANNING JOURNEY

Turn Your Total Into a Working Plan

Now that you have agreed a comfortable maximum, divide it between the different parts of your wedding and begin replacing estimates with real costs.

OPEN THE BUDGET PLANNER Return to the Wedding Planner →

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