| When forming your wedding budget, decide first how | | | | average for how much a wedding costs, and you |
| much to spend for the wedding, then how the | | | | want to know a guideline for determining how much to |
| expenses will be divided. If you search around, you will | | | | spend for DJ entertainment. Using the formula above, |
| be able to find other sample wedding budgets and | | | | you multiply $10,000 times .08 = $800. Therefore, as a |
| wedding budget worksheets. Paying for wedding | | | | guideline for a $10,000 wedding budget, $800 would be |
| expenses can be handled in a variety of ways. The | | | | an appropriate amount to spend on DJ entertainment. |
| responsibility can be: | | | | You can change the percentages given above, |
| (a) assumed primarily by the brides parents | | | | depending on what you want to emphasize in your |
| (b) assumes primarily by the grooms parents | | | | wedding. Be sure to prioritize the following aspects of |
| (c) shared equally by both sets of parents | | | | a wedding according to what is most important to you: |
| (d) shared by both families together with the bride and | | | | - number of guests to be invited |
| groom | | | | - wedding site (church, synagogue, hotel, club, at home) |
| (e) assumed entirely by the bride and groom | | | | - reception location (church hall, hotel, club, at home) |
| themselves | | | | - bridal attire (what you will wear) |
| Wedding Budget | | | | - food and beverages (what kind, and how will they be |
| Final responsibility for wedding costs has been stated | | | | served) |
| by tradition, but there is really no right or wrong way to | | | | - flowers (what kind and how many) |
| handle the costs. It is a matter of choice. It is | | | | - photographs (which professional photographer |
| appropriate to discuss the budget with both sets of | | | | company to choose) |
| parents, especially when they bear some or all of the | | | | - music (soloists, live music, DJ entertainment, dancing) |
| financial responsibility. Be sure everyone involved | | | | - transportation (a limousine, a luxury rental car, friends |
| agrees on the budget. | | | | new car, or family car) |
| Wedding Budget Worksheet | | | | After having computed the amounts for each |
| A spirit of compromise should lessen the possibility of | | | | category, you may want to reevaluate your priorities. |
| hurt feelings as your families agree together on the | | | | Make whatever adjustments are necessary to more |
| wedding budget. When setting your budget priorities, | | | | closely meet your expectations. Once you have |
| compromise on quantity, not quality. The amount of | | | | determined the amounts for each category, keep |
| your budget will not necessarily determine the style of | | | | track of them with wedding planning forms. For some |
| your wedding; you can have a formal wedding and | | | | expenses that are traditionally the groom's |
| reception on a limited budget with careful planning and | | | | responsibility - such as certain flowers and his wedding |
| a smaller guest list. You do not need a wedding budget | | | | attire - the cost will be determined by the overall |
| worksheet to get an idea on how much to spend. The | | | | wedding style. Other items in his budget will reflect his |
| following percentage estimates may be useful in | | | | own preferences. |
| breaking down your total wedding budget into | | | | Your budget should be flexible enough so that |
| categories:reception 48%bridal attire 13%flowers | | | | unexpected costs will not ruin it. You can usually |
| 10%photography 9%dj entertainment 8%rentals | | | | expect to pay from 10 to 50 percent as a deposit for |
| 3%miscellaneous fees 3%bridesmaids gifts | | | | services. This deposit is often required in cash. You |
| 2%transportation 2%stationary 2% | | | | may want to consider opening a new checking |
| These percentages are a starting point for developing | | | | account allotted for your wedding and reception |
| your budget and can be used as a tool when selecting | | | | expenses. |
| various wedding vendors. To determine a guideline | | | | Wedding Budget Planning |
| figure for each category in your budget, use this | | | | Together you and your fiancé can use the ideas |
| equation: | | | | and formulas mentioned in this article for healthy |
| Your total budget x each items estimated percentage | | | | wedding budget planning. You should keep a close tab |
| Sample Wedding Budget | | | | on the budgeted amounts, total costs, deposits made, |
| Okay, here is a sample wedding budget. Assume that | | | | and the balance due in each category. |
| your total budget is $10,000 (below the national | | | | |