B.U.D.G.E.T!

You could argue that the budget should be step numero uno, but why depress yourself right from the get go? Planning a wedding should be fun. So make your master list first. You don’t know any numbers yet, so it won’t matter if you do your budget second. However, everything on your master list has to fit into your budget. You have to find out how much you have, and from who, before you can go any farther. That’s right. Peel yourself from theknot and finish this chore - I promise you can go back later.

~ Check out this video from event planner extraordinaire Sasha Souza, when the bride did not have a specific number in mind. Think tears, many of them, and threats of cancellation!

To help you, here is a list of some but not all of the things on your budget. Your budget should be really specific. There should be a line for the dress, and a line for the invitation stamps too.

Ceremony

Location Usage fee, Musician, Fee for Officiant

Flowers

Ceremony flower, Reception flowers, Bouquets, boutonniere, Ushers boutonnieres, parents flowers, petals for throwing, petals for ground, petals for flower girl

Clothing
Wedding gown, tiara & veil if wearing them, Shoes, Purse, Man’s Suit or Tux, Man’s Shoes, Tuxedos for any groomsmen if offering, Clothes for rehearsal dinner or luncheon

Engagement ring, Wedding band, Bride’s day-of jewelery, any jewelery purchased for bridal party as gifts
PaPer

Save the Dates, Invitation Fee (or ink, paper and accessories for DIY), stamps, Thank You cards

Photography

Videography, Formal portraits, Prints, Album

Reception

Food, Alcohol and Drinks, Cake, Rental Fee, DJ or band, MC, any Professional decorator fees and/or cost of all decorating that you do yourself

Transpo

Limo, Taxi, Rental Cars, Transportation for Travelers…plus tips!?

Gifts

Favors for guests, Bridesmaid gifts, Best men gifts, Parental gifts
Hotels

Wedding night (and any nights preceding for a destination wedding) , any hotels for out of town guests that you will be paying for.
Other Get Togethers

Bridal lunch, Groomsmen Night Out, Rehearsal dinner

Miscellaneous  (completely depends on you)

Photo booth, bubbles, polaroid camera, toilet kits (for example)

**I will be posting about all of these things in the future (well, most. I opted to scratch a lot of the hoopla too) and in those posts you’ll find ways to slim this list down,  make it more manageable, and have some budget friendly ideas