Getting Started

Planning the wedding budget is a marvelous opportunity for the prospective bride & groom to practice communication and cooperation for the start of their future together.

Using Professionals

The importance of working with professionals is obvious. These are people who deal with weddings on a daily basis and have made their career and/or business by knowing what is proper and what is popular when it comes to weddings. While some couples try to save money by enlisting the help of family and friends, or by doing-it-themselves, many times the need for a professional becomes clear. Weddings are a unique event and those who specialize in them know how to handle just about any particular circumstance a couple may have.
When choosing whom to work with for the wedding, be sure to keep in mind both the wedding budget and the quality of services desired. Compare the work of each professional. Choose people who know their business, who show interest and kindness, listen and spend time with their customers. In businesses that have more than a one person staff, be sure to meet with and see sample work of the person who will actually be handling the wedding.
Help the professionals by making appointments instead of dropping in and expecting to be served immediately. Keep appointments and be on time. Get back to them when they are waiting to hear back. Let them know if their services will not be needed (other couples may be missing out because a date was held). Be organized and try to give as much information as possible so they can do their job.
Feeling overwhelmed already? Don’t despair; area wedding consultants are in the business of taking care of all the details. Most consultants will help with as much or as little of the planning as desired. Their services can include setting up appointments, narrowing down choices and coordinating all aspects of the wedding. Some consultants will actually come to the wedding itself to take care of any last minute details that may arise.

The Wedding Budget

One of the first decisions a couple faces when planning a wedding is determining the budget. Couples often do not know what to expect and therefore are surprised by the actual costs involved with a wedding. The couple should sit down and discuss the financial impact the wedding will incur before making any definite plans. By deciding how much the bride/groom have to spend, and if so, how much assistance the couple will receive from family, will immediately play a key role in determining the wedding budget.
Most couples wisely have one common wish regarding wedding budgets: they do not want to go into debt. Financial experts advise against unlimited spending, knowing it is better to start a marriage without needless liabilities. Unfortunately, some couples spend money expecting much cash as wedding gifts, only to be disappointed later. Other couples under-budget for wedding and honeymoon expenses, creating a less-than-wonderful experience. The wise bride and groom will do their homework and be realistic about prices and their budget knowing you cannot have an elegant sit-down dinner for 300 guests for $1,000. Careful itemizing of every expense will make the wedding budget a success. Use the "Budget Expense Record" in the worksheet section It will give you an idea of many of the items you may need to budget for.

Who Pays for What

Today as many couples are waiting until later in life to get married, many are taking on more of the expense of the wedding than in years past. Although traditionally the bride and her family have paid for the majority of the wedding, modern times are showing countless options when it comes to who pays for what. Depending on the financial status of the couple and their respective families, costs may be shared on any or all items relating to the wedding. While some parents may offer help with a particular part of the wedding, others will give a gift of a specified dollar amount to let the couple choose how to spend it. Whatever decisions are made concerning who pays for what, the couple is ultimately responsible for the costs and should be appreciative of any assistance they receive.
The following list of "Who Pays For What" offers both a traditional break-down as well as some modern ideas:

Traditionally the Bride and Her Family Usually Pay For:
• Invitations and announcements (including postage).

• The bride's wedding dress and accessories.

• Bouquets for the bridesmaids and flower girl.

• Boutonniere for the groom.

• The bridesmaids' party or luncheon.

• Flowers and rental costs for the church and reception site.

• Engagement and wedding photographs.

• The musicians at both the wedding and reception.

• Food, beverages, and related professional services (catering) for the reception.

• The wedding cake.

• Gifts for the bridesmaids (and accommodations, if necessary).

• The groom's wedding gift.

• The groom's wedding ring.

• Transportation for the wedding party on the wedding day.

Traditionally the Groom and His Family Usually Pay For:
• The marriage license.

• The clergyman's fee.

• The rehearsal dinner.

• The bride's bouquet and going-away flowers.

• Corsages for the mothers and boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party.

• Gifts for the groomsmen and ushers (and accommodations, if necessary).

• The bride's wedding gift.

• The bride's engagement and wedding rings.

• The honeymoon.

• Groom's wedding attire

Some Modern Ideas:

There are countless options, to be sure. The bride's bouquet, for example, can be included with the flowers her family buys. The mothers' and grandmothers' flowers, as well as the men's boutonnieres, can also be part of this package.

The groom's side can offer to share the cost of any part or all of the wedding.

Dresses and tuxedos (or suits) worn by the bridesmaids and groomsmen are usually paid for by each attendant. The bride and groom, however, can offer to pay for all or part of them if they wish.

Remember, tradition does not always have to be served, nor does etiquette always have to be followed. Whatever the source of the money, it is the bride and groom's wedding, and their wishes are paramount.