How did you divide up your wedding budget?

Janezhang

where did the bulk of your money go to? For example if I am planning a 15k-20k wedding what is the most efficient way to break that down between venue, food, gown, flowers etc? Did you budget a specific percentage to each item? We are planning on our own thus far, with my parents footing the bill mostly, but we plan on contributing somewhat too.

USM

You can't really portion it off by percentage. You just need to go out, get quotes, and work out what stuff costs.

Pollycat

Jane
you had some pretty good advice to your other thread here:

LEJC wrote: »

Why dont you head over to the weddings and anniversaries board...there are loads of brides there who are planning their weddings on various budgets and I'm sure they will be mor than happy to share their budgeting tips and planning spreadsheets with you....

firstly you need to consider the type of wedding you want and how much you have to spend on it....then make a list of the things that are important to you on the day and allocate a portion of your budget to each thing ....

I have to say i wouldnt be keen on buying a ticket to a wedding but there are other things that you can do a little more accepable to help with costs....like asking for a cash gift or donation to your honeymoon or house fund instead of a gift...

Best of luck with your planning....and do pop across to the other board...they are a freindly lot and very keen to share tips!

You'll probably get more replies if you post on the Wedding board.

Janezhang

Pollycat wrote: »

Jane
you had some pretty good advice to your other thread here:



You'll probably get more replies if you post on the Wedding board.

thanks a lot. I think i get my plan.

lyndasharp

This is how we did ours!

1. Decide on your total budget and make a list of everything you'll need.
2. Decide on your venue. As other posters have said, that'll be the big expense. Ours had an 'all-in' per head price for food, which also covered hiring the hall, the microphone, all the place settings, flowers on tables etc, so make sure you consider what's not included.
3. See how much you have left and make some rough estimates of cost based on what you think you should be spending.
3a. If it doesn't add up, decide what is the 'must have' and what you can compromise on. E.g. we made our own flower arrangements, designed and printed our own invites, bought second hand rings off ebay for £40 each, and got the dresses (mine and bridesmaids) made in China via ebay.
4. Start shopping, and try to stick to your budget! If you go over on one area, reduce something else accordingly.
5. Edited to add - also make use of your friend's talents and interests! We got free wedding cars through our friends in the local classic car club, a friend made our wedding cake as our wedding present, and two others did a fabulous job of the photography.

Pollycat

Janezhang wrote: »

thanks a lot. I think i get my plan.

mollyzhang wrote: »

You need theknot.com! Dream come true for budgeting!

My personal budget won't help you in any way since we're not having guests, but most people find the biggest cost is food or venue.

Does anyone else find it too much of a coincidence that Janezhanghas asked for advice and up pops mollyzhang recommending a website?

I've spammed mollyzhang's post, I think some of the other posts from both posters are suspect, especially mollyzhang's first post which recommends the website above - which is against forum rules.