WedSites Blog

The Ultimate Wedding Budget Checklist

Setting a wedding budget is crucial to help your finances stay on track throughout the wedding planning journey. But in order to create a realistic budget, you’ll need to understand exactly what costs to expect along the way!

From the obvious expenses (like your venue and catering) to miscellaneous costs you might not have considered (like thank you cards and photo albums), we’ve rounded up the ultimate wedding budget checklist for you below.

Use this comprehensive guide to understand the key elements that should factor into your wedding budget, and what percentage of your budget should be assigned to each category. With this handy checklist, you’ll be able to manage your budget more effectively – and avoid any unexpected surprises!

Photo via Katie Rosado

Setting Up Your Wedding Budget

Before you start breaking down your expenses, you’ll first need to figure out your overall wedding budget, as this will become the foundation of your wedding planning.

Start by assessing your financial situation, and consider your current savings, capacity for future savings, and contributions from family members. Setting a realistic budget that fits your financial situation will ensure you can enjoy your special day without unwanted stress.

While you don’t need to have an exact number right down to the dollar, you should at least determine a rough ballpark figure that you both feel comfortable with.

Not sure where to begin? Read our step-by-step guide to setting up your wedding budget here.

Photo via Jeremy HKB

Prioritizing Your Expenses

Once you have a rough idea of your budget, the next step will be identifying your top priorities. These are the elements of your wedding that matter most to you and your partner. 

Discuss your vision for the day together, and find your top 3-5 shared priorities. Our free printable wedding vision worksheet is the perfect tool to help you do exactly this!

Allocating funds based on your top priorities will help you maximize your budget, so you definitely don’t want to skip this step. Once you’ve narrowed down your non-negotiables, you can figure out where you’re happy to splurge and where you can save.

For example – if a stunning venue and world-class dining are important to you, you might want to allocate a larger portion of your budget to these areas. Alternatively, if you value live music but aren’t fussed about flowers, you’ll want to reduce your floral budget and invest more in entertainment. 

Photo via Cornelia Zaiss

The Ultimate Wedding Budget Checklist

Now that you’ve set your budget and determined your priorities, it’s time to figure out where your money will actually be going!

We’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist of wedding expenses below, from catering to photography and stationery. Keep in mind that you might not necessarily require all of these elements – simply pick and choose the ones that are relevant to you.

Note: While we’ve also included some suggested percentages for each wedding category, remember that it really comes down to your personal preferences. You can use the percentages below as a helpful guide, but tailor your spending based on the top priorities you identified earlier.

Venue and Catering (40% of budget)

Photography and Videography (10% of budget)

Attire and Accessories (7% of budget)

Flowers, Decor and Lighting (8% of budget)

Music and Entertainment (7% of budget)

Invitations and Stationery (3% of budget)

Transportation (3% of budget)

Wedding Rings (3% of budget)

Wedding Planner (10% of budget)

Beauty and Wellness (2% of budget)

Favors and Gifts (2% of budget)

Photo via Shauna and Jordan

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Weddings often come with hidden costs that can add up quickly! Be sure to account for these expenses to avoid any surprises:

Unexpected Extras (5% of budget)

Photo via C&C Photography

Tracking and Managing Your Budget

Managing your wedding budget effectively will help you stay within your financial limits and avoid unexpected expenses along the way. Here’s how to track and manage your budget throughout the planning process:

1. Use Wedding Budgeting Apps

Technology will be your best friend when it comes to managing your wedding budget! There are several wedding budgeting apps and online tools to help you keep track of your expenses, including our handy budget calculator and digital planner. These tools allow you to input your budget categories, track upcoming payments, and monitor your spending in real-time.

2. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Budget

Remember, your wedding budget isn’t set in stone. As you plan, you might encounter unexpected expenses or changes in your preferences. Make sure you regularly review and adjust your budget to accommodate these changes without overspending. 

We’d suggest putting some time aside each month to compare your estimated costs with actual expenses, and make adjustments as needed. If you overspend in one category, you’ll need to look for ways to cut costs in another to balance your budget.

3. Keep Meticulous Records of Payments and Due Dates

Staying organized with your payments is crucial! Keep meticulous records to ensure you know exactly what has been paid, and when upcoming payments need to be made.

It’s a good idea to keep all of your invoices and receipts in one place so you can easily access them. Our digital wedding planner is the perfect way to manage these documents and track your spending. 

4. Communicate with Your Partner

Effective communication with your partner is essential for managing your wedding budget! Both of you should be equally involved in the budgeting process and agree on any major financial decisions. Open communication will prevent any misunderstandings and ensure that you’re both on the same page.

Our suite of digital wedding planning tools here at WedSites has been designed to simplify your planning journey, including budget and guest list management. Learn more about our digital wedding planner here, or sign up for your account to get started!