Budget

Budgeting for a Wedding and Reception

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning a wedding, and costs can quickly get out of hand. We recommend establishing a realistic budget up front; the rest of your planning will go much smoother. We are happy to work with you to find solutions that fit both your tastes and your budget. Your budget will help you determine the style, number of guests, as well as the perfect venue for your wedding; and help you avoid the temptation or pressure to over-spend. If a budget isn’t necessary, then let’s make something delicious that your guests will remember always.

Reception food and drink are a major part of the wedding experience, so it’s no surprise that you’ll spend a big amount of your total budget on wedding catering. The average wedding catering cost in the US is $4,000-7,000., or 20 to 40 % of the budget. A more refined or elaborate dining experience, or a very large guest list will add to the cost. If you want a dining experience that your guests will always remember, then budget catering toward the higher end. The time of day and type of food service will also affect cost. A morning wedding followed by brunch will be less expensive than an evening wedding followed by a served dinner.

Here are some great online resources to help you plan your budget:

Wedding Budget Breakdown from Southern Bride & Groom Magazine

WeddingWire Catering Cost Guide 

Martha Stewart Weddings-Budget Breakdown  

Wedding Wire offers a free budgeting app!  

Many couples will cut costs in one category to spend more in another. For instance, wear a vintage family wedding dress, and increase the floral budget to create an exotic wonderland. Or, accept your musician friend’s offer to play for free at your wedding, and use the savings to have a special entree at your reception. Creative thinking can help make everything work beautifully.

Calculating Alcohol for Your Wedding

There’s lots of alcohol calculators available online to help sort out how much you’ll need, such as this one.

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