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Planning Your Cleveland Wedding Budget
By Shana E. Mysko
The first thing you need to start planning your wedding is an overall budget. Your budget will be the basis for every wedding detail from the florist to the photographer. There are many factors to consider when figuring out a wedding budget. You and your fianc� should examine your income, savings and investments, and take all of your current expenses (rent, groceries, bills, etc.) into consideration. If you're lucky, parents may be contributing to the cost of your wedding. Have an open and honest conversation with them about any contributions they might be making and have them help you figure out your overall budget. You may want to set your budget ten percent less than what you actually want to spend because most couples go over budget.
Here is an average breakdown of how couples divide wedding budgets. You should change this list according to your own desires. For instance, if flowers are more important to you than videography, then move your budget around to suit your tastes.
To get an estimate on the amount you'll be spending on your costs, multiply your total wedding budget by the percentage. For instance, if your wedding budget is $20,000 and you want to allot 3% of your budget for the ceremony: $20,000 x 3. = $600 budget for the ceremony.
Wedding Attire: 9%
Gown and alterations, veil, headpiece, lingerie, shoes, hair and make-up and Groom's attire
Ceremony: 3%
Marriage license, site and Officiant's fee, isle runners, candles and other decorative items.
Reception: 6%
Site fee, rentals and valet or parking service.
Food & Drink: 40%
Meals, beverages, bartenders, linens and the wedding cake.
Invitations & Stationery: 3%
Invitations, calligraphy, programs and thnk you notes.
Flowers & Decorations: 8%
Bridal and attendant bouquets, groom's and groomsmen's boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and ceremony site flowers.
Music: 7%
Ceremony music, cocktail hour and reception music.
Photograhy & Videography: 10%
Photography and videography of ceremony and reception, plus albums and video.
Wedding Rings: 4%
Bride's and groom's wedding bands. The engagement ring is not considered in the wedding budget.
Transportation: 2%
Limousine, horse and carriage or party bus rental.
Gifts: 3%
Attendant gifts and favors.
Tips and Taxes: 5%
Some vendors include gratuities into their costs, so be sure to ask. If they're not included then vendors should be tipped 20% if they provided a high level of service.
Additional Costs
A wedding consultant would take up about 15% of your budget, but a consultant should be able to save you as much money as you spend on the fee while taking care of your wedding details. Are you and your future hubby staying in separate places the night before the wedding? You may need to factor in hotel rooms, bridal suites (post wedding), pre and post wedding parties, and don't forget about the cost of the honeymoon.
After you have your overall budget figured out you'll need to determine how you'll get the money to pay for the wedding. Never expect parents to front the entire cost of the wedding, or any of the cost for that matter. Many brides and grooms will pay for the cost of the wedding themselves, most pay for at least half. If your parents are contributing to your wedding costs the question of who pays for what should be a frank conversation between you, your fianc�, and both sets parents. With the rising cost of weddings, the groom's family should now be contributing more than ever. Here is a list of who pays for what, traditionally. Depending on the cost of your wedding, the number of guests, and the financial situation of all party members, this list will vary.
Bride:
Groom's wedding ring
Gifts for her bridesmaids
A wedding gift for the groom
Bride's Family:
All reception costs (with the exclusion of alcohol) including site, food, cake, music, all rental costs, favors, and gratuities
Bride's gown, veil, and accessories
Wedding invitations, postage, and related stationary expenses
Photography and videography
Ceremony and reception flowers
Rental fee for the ceremony site
Fees for ceremony musicians or DJs
Transportation of the bridal party on the wedding day
Bridesmaid bouquets
Bridal Attendants:
Cost of their own apparel
Their own travel and hotel expenses
A bridal shower and bachelor party
Groom:
Marriage license
Medical exam and blood tests
Bride's engagement and wedding rings
Bride's bouquet, corsages, and boutonnieres
Ceremony officiant's fee
Gifts for groomsmen
The honeymoon
His own attire
Wedding gift for bride
Limousine service
Groom's Family:
Rehearsal dinner
Alcohol at reception
Groom's cake
Best Man/Groomsmen:
Their own attire
Bachelor party
Any of their own travel/hotel expenses
Wedding gift for the couple
The Bride and Groom:
Expenses of items desired which have exceeded the original budget
Gifts for parents or others who helped with your wedding planning and costs
Parents of children in bridal party pay for children's formal wear.
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