Making Your Budget and Staying With It: The Wedding Goals

by Doris Marie Rowlands

Let's begin by having you think about your ideal wedding - the image you wish to portray. Is that image one of warmth and love, encompassing your entire family and that of your fiance? Or is the image one of soft candlelight and romance...very intimate and couple centered? Perhaps you see a joyous, jubilant, festive celebration engulfing large numbers of family and friends. This image may also change as the wedding day progresses. The ceremony may be couple oriented; the dinner, family centered; and then move to the party which includes many friends.

Begin your wedding planning by making sure the day is yours and not one being imposed upon you by the expectations of others. Next consult your fiance's ideas and ascertain his ideal wedding. Next blend the two to create the dream you hold jointly.

Let your dreams wander...how are you dressed? Where is your ceremony? Are you outside in a garden setting on inside the largest cathedral in town? You are feeling radiant and very much in love. What is the weather? How will your groom be attired? Where will you be when he first sees you? What time of day will your dinner be served. Who are the people around you?

It is important to establish your dream wedding first, because you can't make it come true if you don't even know what it is.

And now it's time for reality. Your dream will need to be modified depending on parental wishes, budget, etc. When making your budget, determine what is most important to you and then assign a greater portion of your budget to that area. If your dream dress is hand made of silk and other finery, in order to afford the luxury, cut back somewhere else, such as transportation. Here is a sample budget giving suggested percentages to achieve a wonderful wedding. The percentages should be changed to reflect your personal desires. You still need to be realistic. But you can work within the budget and make it yours.

The size of your guest list, formality of your wedding and number of attendants can affect your budget. Your goal is to have the wedding you desire without incurring debts.

To use the worksheet, first establish your total dollars to spend. (For ease in figuring, let's assume your budget is $1,000) You can then assign dollar amount to the chart. Next, enter any fixed amounts. Now check to see whether you are over/under. If you are over, you can either cut back in the category, or cut back somewhere else.

For example; if your total budget is $1,000 and you assign 40% of that to the reception, your total reception dollars would be $400. If the reception hall is $100, then you have $300 remaining to cover caterer, cake and any other reception expenses. The price of the hall is considered a fixed expense. The catering expense you will be able to vary according to the guest list and type of meal served so it would come out of discretionary dollars.

To try and formulate a true wedding budget, use the following list of Wedding Expenses with suggestions of who traditionally pays for what.

Division of Expenses - A Guideline

Bride:

• Groom's wedding ring
  
• Groom's wedding gift
  
• Gifts for female attendants
  
• Lodging for out-of-town female attendants
  
• Bridesmaids' luncheon
  
• Personal stationery and thank you notes
  
• Beauty - hair, make up, nails
  
• Guest Book
  

Bride's Parents:

• Engagement and wedding portraits
  
• Engagement party
  
• Invitations
  
• Bridal consultant
  
• Bride's gown and accessories
  
• Ceremony fees
  
• Ceremony and reception flowers
  
• Bridesmaids' bouquets
  
• Special corsages
  
• Father's boutonniere
  
• Transportation
  
• Reception costs
  
• Music for ceremony and reception

Bridegroom:

• Marriage license
  
• Bride's engagement and wedding rings
  
• Bride's gift
  
• Bride's bouquet
  
• Boutonnieres for groom and attendants
  
• Flowers for both mothers
  
• Lodging for out of town male attendants
  
• Officiant's fee
  
• Corsage for honored female guests, such as grandmothers, aunts, etc.
  
• Corsage for bride's going-away outfit
  

Groom's Parents:

• Rehearsal dinner
  
• Their clothes
  
• Travel accommodations for themselves

Bridesmaids:

• Their gowns and accessories
  
• Joint gift to bride
  
• Individual gift to the couple
  
• Bridal shower

Ushers:

• Rental of formalwear
  
• Joint gift to groom
  
• Individual gift to the couple

Out-Of-Town Guests:

• Transportation and lodging

***This article is Copyright © 1996 Doris Marie Rowlands All Rights Reserved***

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