12 Wedding Budget Mistakes To Avoid
Wedding, the first thing that came into mind after seeing this word, is a fabulous process of selecting and choosing things for your big day. The day you are dreaming from your childhood and, you want it perfect in every way. But here comes the twist wedding planning is a series of tiring events and happenings too.
You have to do so much in just a nick of time. You spent your time in travel, meetings, and shopping. But as a matter of fact, you need cash to run all things smoothly. Here comes the wedding budget and how to stick with it.
Most couples easily make a wedding budget in no time. But there are some common mistakes that should avoid making your day pop. Here are some of the common wedding budget mistakes. But before knowing wedding budget mistakes, first, try to learn how to make a wedding budget. It will help you to run your things smoothly around the wedding.
Wedding Budget Break Down
Before planning your wedding, sit down together with your partner and discuss the wedding budget. It is very efficient to select the amount of money spent for every portion of the wedding planning. The breakdown of your wedding budget will help you to avoid spending excess or mistaken. Here we have some suggestions for planning your wedding budget.
Spend 50% on Venue, Catering, and Rental Costs
Spend a large portion of your wedding budget on renting out your venue space, hiring caterers for food, alcohol, and rentals, such as tables, chairs, and dinnerware. You can also add the price of their cake to a 50% chunk of your wedding budget.
Spend 12% on Photography and Videography
Save aside at least 12% of your budget for the images and videos of your big day. These pictures are the precious treasure of your wedding you keep forever. Also, it includes the cost of the photographer's and videographers' time.
Spend 9% on Wedding Attire, Hair, And Makeup
Wedding is your big day, and you want to look beautiful more than ever. This portion of your wedding budget includes the cost of the dress and tuxedo rental, shoes, and any accessories, such as jewelry or cufflinks. Also, you have to add the cost of your hair and makeup.
Spend 8% on Decor
You sure want your wedding to look different and beautiful. Assign 8% of your wedding budget for your ceremony and reception decor. It includes bouquets, flower arrangements, special lighting, and decorations.
Spend 7% on Entertainment
The music can make your event grand and lively. Fix the 7% of your wedding budget to hire live musicians or Dj or bands. Do your research to know the exact amount of cash reserve. Price may vary when you are hiring professionals.
Spend 3% On Wedding Planner
A wedding planner can make your celebrations grand and stress-free. They can take care of everything so you can enjoy your wedding. Spend 3% of your cash on hiring a wedding planner.
Spend 2% On Stationery
Wedding stationery has essential detail of your wedding. Spend 2% of your budget on your wedding stationery. The formal wedding invitation cards give a glimpse of your style. The stationery budget covers your ceremony programs, menus, thank-you cards, and more.
Spend 2% On Officiant
Reserve 2% of your wedding budget for hiring an officiant.
Spend 2% On Transportaion
You can hire transport for your wedding guests to ensure they get to the right venue at the right time. It includes hiring a bus or shuttle from hotels to the ceremony venue. Also, you can hire a limo for the wedding party or an elaborate getaway car after the ceremony. The 2% of your wedding budget covers all transportation expenses.
Spend 2% On Wedding Band
Wedding bands are precious you have to wear them for the rest of your life. Save 2% of your wedding budget for the wedding bands.
Spend 2% On Wedding Favors Or Gifts
Wedding favors are a beautiful way to say thank you and show respect and gratitude to your wedding guests. Allocate 2% of your wedding budget for purchasing wedding favors or gifts.
Common Wedding Budget Mistakes
After the allocation of cash for everything in the wedding. Must learn about the common mistakes that happen when you are making a wedding budget. Here are 12-common wedding budget mistakes. Try to avoid them to save your money and the big day.
- Don't Know Who Is Paying For Your Wedding
Yes, it is awkward but, you have to ask the families before planning your wedding budget. Sit with your family and friends and talked with them about your wedding openly. It has been seen that the bride's family is paying most of the wedding expenses. In some families, it is tradition to pay for their daughter's wedding. But the groom's family also can participate as well.
Arrange a lunch or small gathering for both of the families to sit and discuss. How much they are contributing, and where do they have to pay. Tell them which options you are considering. Talk about the ceremony venue, catering, and other things. Here are some considerations you must know who is going to pay for that.
General Budget
The general budget includes all the expenses spend on the venue. What is your wedding style, and what is the size of your wedding? These factors can affect your wedding budget.
- Venue
Either you are having a grand wedding at a lavish ballroom in a downtown hotel. Or have a simple ceremony on your backyard lawn or in church. The venue costs consume 50% of your wedding budget. Discuss with your family and friend about your choices.
- Your Wedding Size
The cost of food and drinks per head makes an impact on your wedding budget. You can change your wedding budget by increasing or decreasing the number of wedding guests.
- The time of the wedding
An evening reception is more expensive than a brunch or afternoon reception. It includes higher catering costs for dinner, drinks, lighting, music, and decor.
- Wedding style
The grand wedding cost you a lot more than a simple formal ceremony. The six-meal course is much more expensive than a cocktail hour. The more details you include in the wedding decore more you pay.
- Not Properly Allocate Cash
When it comes to a wedding budget, you have to manage your finance very keenly. Reserve the portion of the cash for specific things. Such as allocating 2% of your wedding budget for wedding brands. If you spend this on some other things, you may face difficulty.
Also, it upsets your wedding budget and creates a stressful situation. You don't have much cash to have your dream wedding. You have to eliminate many things you want for your wedding. To avoid this mistake do save 5% of your wedding budget for in-case situations. Also, add the expenses of your honeymoon if you are paying for that. It is better to save a little before you plan the wedding.
Solution
You are asking yourself how you can possibly save up for something as expensive as a wedding. The answer is you have to start it as soon you get engaged. The longer the engagement more time you had to save up some cash. Saving 20% of your income is a good start to cover all wedding expenses.
You can reduce your unnecessary expenses. You can save money by not going on outings. Curb your cravings for Starbucks, junk food, and extra snacking. These changes will make your life healthier as well as help to save some bucks. Leaving a few things can't change your quality of life. But at the end of the year, you have something that covers wedding expenses efficiently.
- Forget To Keep Tracking How Much You Have Spent
If you do not keep tracking how much you spent cash on the wedding. It is the easiest way to bust out your wedding budget. The cause of this mistake is unplanned expenses. Here are some points that can help you to avoid this kind of mistake in your wedding budget.
- Get a system
After allocating the funds for the wedding, you have to keep track of your expenses for a few months. It is better to have a system that can track your expenses. Keep your accounting skills at the test and keep a record of everything you spend. Note all wedding expenses on the spreadsheets or notebooks.
Add the entries whether you buy gifts for the wedding party or your mother-in-law. You will see how much you spend on small things. Many things are seen as big but, they are necessary. And most of the budget is spent on such things. By tracking your wedding cost, you will not face any difficulty in your wedding planning.
- Explore hidden costs and extras
Research to find the hidden fees and extras that can add up to your wedding budget over time. Here are five extra costs you have to keep in mind to avoid an over-budget wedding.
- Overtime: If you suspect that the wedding may go long, it costs you more. It includes the overtime cost from the photographer to the venue manager. It is better to have a surprise chunk of cash for this overtime.
- Service Fee: The service charge is additional fee venues charge to cover their own cost of hiring servers, coat checkers, and bathroom and parking attendants, which typically amounts to 20%-25%of the event's total food and drink fee.
- Free Trials: A florist's demo is free for the first time. But if you make repeated changes, you risk being billed.
- Extra decorations: Things like stamps for the RSVP cards, ribbons for the favors, and marriage license fees add extra cost.
- Gratuities and tips: Do consider giving a tip to your hairdresser, waiter, and your limo diver. Make sure to add costs for these to your wedding budget.
- Plan to go over: Try to earmark 5% of your budget for unforeseen costs. Like, flowers you may realize at the last minute you don't need to decorate that. The weather-related expenses like umbrellas or space heaters. And unusual incidents such as a gown needs last-minute spot removal.
- Making Wedding Budget Without Doing Research
Most couples make this mistake when planning their wedding without doing their research. It could be the biggest wedding budget mistake couples make. For every decision regarding your wedding, you should start by researching the options available to you within your budget.
Make estimates for each element of the wedding, from the venue hire fee to your on-the-day coordinator. It gives you a rough idea of the costs for each supplier. But creating these figures without doing the research first is a huge mistake. But it could be totally wrong as you underestimate the actual costs involved. That may cause a whole lot of stress when you know the price.
Solution
Like florists, you have many florists in your area that match your style and are within your budget.
But there are so many and, how do you choose from them. Well, do some research on the internet. And keep your ear sharps for the word out from your friend's mouth about florists.
Hop on the internet search for local wedding florists. Review their portfolios online and mark them shortlisted. Go for them and ask for images of their work and their typical price ranges. Then, get to your friends and family for their recommendations. You have some married friends too they can guide you better. After doing all the research, shortlist your choices to three to five potential vendors.
- Not Controlling Guest List
Your wedding budget is totally dependent on your guest list. Because each guest costs you a per head food, drink, and equipment hire. It is a crucial mistake to set a wedding budget without finalizing your guest list. It can cause an additional cost and upset your wedding budget.
For example, 70 pax wedding cost may vary from the cost for a 90 pax wedding. If you have failed to control the number of guests at your wedding, the extra numbers add to your bill. This mistake is easily avoided by reviewing your wedding guest list.
Another problem that arises with the number of wedding guests is plus one guest. After sending wedding invitations, you might receive requests from guests to bring plus-ones, relatives, or children. We all said yes to these last-minute requests because you feel awkward saying no to them. It can bust your wedding budget simply.
Solution:
It is better to handle such a situation gently and answer them wisely. As you can say, I wish we had a large venue to accommodate more guests but, we have a limited seat venue. Try to convince them to leave their children at home and give them a hint by saying. We are hosting the adults-only event so everyone can let their hair down.
Also, do not feel pressured to invite people who are not so important in your life and long-distant relatives. It is your day and, you are going to make it your way.
- Not Prioritizing Your Wedding
Wedding planning starts as you are engaged. You and your partner have many wishes and ideas to do at your wedding. Most couples do purchase and book vendors without knowing their priorities. It is a big mistake that can put an extra burden on your wedding budget. All these things are unseen expenses if you can't keep records and blindly do booking vendors.
It results in you having to sacrifice for the desired live band you want at your ceremony. Or forget about the exclusive cocktail bar you wish to display at your wedding. Even put your hands off from your favorite florist at the last minute.
Solution
To avoid such mistakes, you have to sit with your partner and make your priority list first. It is the first thing you must consider when you start planning your wedding. Make your top three wedding priorities the venue, food, and florist.
If having a gorgeous ballroom wedding is your dream. Then set aside the appropriate amount of your budget to secure your dream venue before making it your priority. The second priority you have is food because people will remember the wedding with a taste of food. Go for the best-tasting catering options and marked them as your priority. The last one is the florist choosing the best florist has in-season flowers.
After making the top three priorities, you can save a big chunk of your wedding budget for them. It will produce ease and flexibility on everything you will keep for the wedding. You sure create your vision
intact while maintaining your wedding budget.
- Not Having Contract for Service
When it is come to planning your wedding you always look for your friends and family. Many couples choose friends or family members to provide wedding services when trying to save on their wedding budget. These friends offer their services
for significantly discounted rates or as a wedding gift to the newly married couple.
But they are your friends you don't need a service contract. Not having a contract for services may seem like a minor thing. You don't need a contract with people you love and trust. Like if your Aunt offered to bake your wedding cake and she would never let you down because she loves you. She has a small-scale bakery and has done many birthday cakes and delicious dessert bars for friends and family.
Yes, it feels formal and a little weird asking for a contract from people who are close to you. You do not sound offended but, it is necessary to be able to hold one another accountable. What if your Aunt got flu and she can't perform well on your big day. Or you fight with your friend and they decide not to come to your wedding.
A service contract will protect both of you and ensure the person will provide a substitute if any incident happens. Also, you will be able to hold them accountable for the service. The document protects the person providing the service, you, and your wedding day.
Solution
Sit down with your friend providing service at the wedding discuss all terms and conditions. Bring everything to write on paper and get documented. The service contract will ensure that you get the offered service and, they get paid.
- Booking Multiple Suppliers
A wedding includes many vendors and suppliers and, each wedding supplier has its own cost. This cost will cover their transport to and from the venue and any labor involved in setting up or packing down. So the more suppliers you add, the more these costs will add up. Booking multiple suppliers can be seriously cost more. It spends most of your wedding budget on travel, transport, and labor.
Suppose you order chairs from one company and tables from other. While linens and centerpieces from the third one. Definitely, it cost you more also, causes mismanagement too, if any last-minute cancellation occurs or mishap.
Multiple suppliers are hard to manage and consume more time and money. You have to spend more time in meetings with them. You have to travel more if your suppliers are in a different area of the city. This cost is an additional burden on your wedding budget.
Solution
Instead of booking multiple suppliers, try to look for a single supplier. It can provide full service and all required things like chairs, tables, linens, and centerpieces. It means you will only pay for one delivery and one pickup fee instead of three. It reduces the transport, service, and labor cost.
As it is your sole supplier so you much time for the meetings and describe the details of your wedding. You don't have to travel more and save your extra buck and energy. And the last thing if any conflict happens between you and supplier or last-minute cancellation. You can easily arrange another supplier in no time without worrying about every single detail. Hire a supplier that provides all requirements at the time.
- Impulsive Buying
You see something, you love it, and you buy it immediately without a second thought. You did not think it had an extra cost adding to your wedding budget. After a couple of weeks, you realize that it is unnecessary. You don't need that your investment is completely lost.
The same thing can happen when it comes to wedding planning. These impulse purchases can but your wedding budget. You buy so many things without knowing they are functional or not. Like you love those pair of golden earrings but don't go with your wedding gown. So the cost you spend on those pair of earrings is totally a waste.
Solution
Before making any purchases for your wedding and guest favors, sit with your partner and discuss everything. Note down things you need to purchase like guest favors, decor pieces, and even your dress.
Make a shopping list before a week or two to go on wedding shopping. It gives you enough time to make a final decision. Whether the wedding purchase is necessary you can also tailor your wedding budget for buying it.
The wedding shopping list helps you to avoid impulsive buying. When you purchase something, ask yourself do you really need that. It is better to stop for a moment and think if this is an impulse buy.
The tip is when you go for your wedding shopping or buying gifts or wedding favors stick to your shopping list.
- Not Re-Reading Contracts Before 2-3 Months From Wedding
Most couples do not re-reading vendor contracts two to three months before the wedding. It is another wedding budget mistake couples make that can cause upset their wedding budget. Being a sharp couple, you read your contracts when you signed them. Discuss all the necessary details with your vendors.
But why do you need to double-check these contracts? When you want to start everything, speed up to complete things before the wedding day. You feel your life is like a run-away train headed
into the wedding day.
The answer is guestlist, deadlines, and fees may change before your big day final payment. You may face plus-one guest requests before the wedding cause you additional charges. Also, the security officers want their dues in cash you have to arrange before your big day.
Solution
It is better to recheck all contracts 2 to 3 months before your wedding. You have enough time to solve these problems ahead of time. Re-read your contracts before marking final payment deadlines on your calendars, linen selection, and napkin fold deadlines.
- Not Being Flexible
Wedding is your big day and, you have some dreams relating to every detail of your wedding. You have a specific flower variety in mind for your bouquet. Or, you choose a premium wine that you want to serve at the reception. It is great to have a defined wedding vision and a clear idea of how you want your big day.
It makes things easy for creating your wedding vision to reality. But it is inflexible too which may lead you to unwanted situations. For example, the flowers you like are out of season, or your desired wine is out of stock and, you do not find it anywhere. And you eager to want that in your wedding can also cost you more as they are not available.
Maybe your desired dress is too expensive you can not go for it remaining in your wedding budget. Inflexibility is a trap that can cost you more than your expected price. These things put an extra burden on your wedding budget and upset your wedding budget.
Solution
Do not get stuck in the trap of being inflexible and try to change your plans. You might not be able to have that exact wedding dress, that exact flower, or those exact bridal robes as the ones you found on Pinterest. But there are plenty of alternatives available for you to make your day wow.
It is better to make your three top choices in everything you need for your wedding day. So in last you never see the disappointment of letting down your favorite elements. You will get at least one of them in the end. After all, a wedding is a day to celebrate the love between you and your partner
so keep things simple and don't worry about the tiny things.
- Not Saving Where You Can
Wedding planning is a fascinating process that consumes your time, energy, and money. When you are making your wedding budget, you sure want a lot more in a small amount. It is not bad if you save some buck but playing smart presents your big day beautifully. Here are some tips from which you can save some cash without sacrificing your elegant wedding.
- What is important?
Sit down with your partner and allocate the cash for the required elements of your wedding. Then discuss and check the priorities if you really need that or go without it.
- Shortlist your wedding guest
Shortlist your wedding guests and cut down all extra per head cost you are paying for it. The per head cost includes not only food and drinks but also the services offered to them.
- Pass on expensive details
Review all the decore and pass on the unnecessary decoration that you think no one can notice. Read your contract carefully to know what are items you are paying for and think twice before signing it.
- Choose seasonal flowers
Go for the seasonal flowers for your bouget and decore instead of an expensive one. The out-of-season flowers are hard to arrange and cost you more.
- Reduce printing cost
You might have an invitation card decorated with two ink colors that may go with your wedding colors but cost you more. Also, customize wedding stationery is more expensive. So using single color will serve the same purpose. You can also go for DIY projects.
- Have a small car
The small town cars will shuttle your wedding party to the reception effectively as a limo.
- Skip the special effects
You like simple wedding pictures without effects. Then skip the special effects like sepia tones, multiple exposures, and split frames.
- Keep your menu simple
Keep your menu simple and reduce the number of overall dinner courses. Go for fabulous three-meal courses instead of five-meal courses. It is better to stick with the specialties of the season and region.
- Save the expensive wine for later
Tell the caterers to bring out the fancy wine for the toast and less expensive service for the rest of the night.
- Cut down the cake extra
Order a small, fabulous wedding cake as you want and several sheet cakes of the same flavor for your guests. Leave the handmade sugar flowers, fancy fillings, and special molded shapes that charge you more. Also, ask your caterer to decorate each plate with a flavored sauce. Buttercream frosting is tastier and less expensive than fondant.
- Resell And reuse clothing
It is not bad if you rent your wedding attire or you sell after your big day. Also, you can buy a substantial wedding dress or wear a vintage wedding dress of your grandmother's one.
