No two weddings are alike, so it’s impossible to supply a difficult-and-fast guideline that tells you precisely how much you can anticipate to invest on your wedding. Nevertheless, in our experiences, you can anticipate to break down your budget like this:

Dresses, jewellery, make-up and suits – 15%
Ceremony which includes celebrant and music – 5%
Reception which includes hire, catering and drinks – 40%
Must-haves – cakes, stationery, transport, photography – 25%
Flowers – 5%
Honeymoon – 10%

Regardless how you break down your budget, here are some tips for controlling costs:

Set a budget at the begin and then stick to it.
Get organised! “You can’t possibly see the huge picture if your wedding plan is a pile of crumpled pieces of paper!” says wedding planner Cathrin D’Entremont.
Be really clear about your vision before you select your vendors. This will save you time and dollars, as you are able to show suppliers your vision – in pictures – of what you want your wedding to be.
Open a wedding account at your bank – that way you’ll know precisely how a lot funds goes in and how significantly comes out.
Examine contracts carefully. Read the fine print and make sure you think about all additional charges such as GST and staff overtime charges.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Most vendors will take into account a discount if you ask nicely.
Bear in mind, once you pay a deposit you are almost certainly legally bound to pay the full quantity – so you can’t change your mind.
Shop around. Don’t blow all your dollars in the very first shop you visit. Take the time to go to the sales, shop on-line and browse by means of catalogues. The possible savings will surprise you.
Get crafty! “Use the resources in your family,” advises Cathrin. “Perhaps Aunty Ina is a dressmaker and can make the bridesmaid dresses. Uncle Joe may be handy and can construct the wishing well. Buddies and family are generally honoured to be a part of your preparations.”
Contemplate your guest list carefully. Inviting fewer men and women can make a big difference to the bottom line of your wedding budget.
Be financially smart. Don’t put your head in the sand and pretend you’ve got an unlimited spending budget. Check your wedding budget balance regularly to make certain you stay on track.
Finally, and probably surprisingly, take into account a wedding planner. A very good wedding planner and event manager will be able to save you their fee and a lot a lot more in negotiations with your vendors. They have the benefit of not being emotionally involved in the negotiations and the power to negotiate based on not only your wedding but also other events they are organising. If you do determine to employ a wedding planner, make certain you get a firm quote and don’t pay a percentage of your spending budget (unless it is fixed) or your wedding planner will have no incentive to save you cash.

Remember: although weddings are romantic, debt is not. The most important thing about your wedding day is that two people are joining their lives together. It’s not about whether you invest ,000 or ,000. The success of the event depends on the way you express your happiness and how you share that with your beloved family and friends