Step 1: Set your budget
Manage your planning by tracking expenses
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Photo feature: Your Dream Wedding on a Budget
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Suggested budget breakdown
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42%
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Reception site, food & drink
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8%
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Wedding rings
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8%
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Photography
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6%
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Flowers
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6%
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Rehearsal dinner
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5%
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Bridal gown
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5%
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Videography
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4%
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Music for reception
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3%
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Tuxedo for groom
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2%
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Bridal party's hairdos and makeup
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2%
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Announcements & invitations
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2%
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Music for ceremony
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2%
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Ceremony site & clergy
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2%
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Cake
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2%
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Transportation
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1%
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Favors
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Too many couples create unnecessary stress for themselves
and their families by doing their wedding planning backwards. Committing to every detail on a the wedding “wish list”
before setting a budget is a recipe for conflict and worry.
It makes far more sense to figure out what you can afford. Whether the couple does everything from
their own resources, or if families help, you should start with a firm amount. This should be based on what you have in the
bank, or can afford to pay off in a reasonable time.
For comparison, the national median for wedding expenses in 2008 was $22,000, down from $27,500 in
2007. North Carolina averages run a couple thousand less.
Once you know what you can spend, you can make intelligent decisions about everything from the size
of your guest list to the menu for your reception.
Spreadsheet software is a great tool to help you calculate how each piece fits into your budget. As
you get actual price quotes you can plug them in and adjust percentages if necessary. Here is a typical breakdown you may
find helpful to get started.
Related photo feature
Your dream wedding on a budget.
 to tips from wedding professionals.
Spreadsheet software, such as the widely available Microsoft Excel, makes budget calculations a snap.
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Bridal forum
Comments about this article
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 Brides, post a comment:
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Vendors, post a comment:
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A wedding on a budget
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Low Cost or Budget
"We are getting married in September of 2011 we are looking for budget friendly services; photographers & caterers are our major hurdles right now any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks and congradulations on your own wedding."
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Posted by:
Sara
of Bolivia
on: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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Post a reply:
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Catering
"I seen that on January 10,2010, Keeley of Greensboro posted about wanting a Caterer? I used to work at Southern Table Resturant in my hometown, Nakina, North Carolina about 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach South Carolina and 20 minutes from Shallotte. My former boss, Mrs, Phyllis Gore, I think, does a fantastic job on catering, and I think she is within your price range. If you need anymore information you can contact me at my e-mail!
Thanks,Brooke Long"
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Posted by:
Brooke
of Whiteville
on: Saturday, April 24, 2010
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Post a reply:
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Budget planning
" First, you need to know how many dollars you can afford to spend."
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Posted by:
John Meyer
of
Cape Fear Images
on: Sunday, April 11, 2010
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Post a reply:
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Need a reasonable caterer
"Anyone know of a reasonable caterer, maybe one who owns their own business. Maybe $12 -15.00 a head for heavy hors d'oeuvres or small buffet. Wedding in Surf City Beach Oct. 2, 2010."
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Posted by:
Keeley
of Greensboro
on: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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Post a reply:
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Fabulous flowers!!!
"I just recently had my wedding and my florists was so amazing I had to give them a posting. I worked with Moxie florists (http://www.moxiefloralstudio.com/) and could not have been more pleased! I went through Cynthia mostly (though her co-owner? did most of the design) and she is not only a highly talented florist but is also just such a pleasure to work with. I wanted to do something a little more creative than normal and they went above and beyond the whole time I worked with them while helping me stay in budget!!! The flowers were one of the main parts of the wedding I was really set on and Moxie exceed my expectations in every way. I cannot complement Moxie enough and would recommend them to everyone. You won't be let down!"
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Posted by:
Kelli
of Wilmington
on: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Low cost flowers
"I would try online at fifty flowers. I ordered orchids for a friends parents anniversary party. The flowers were beautiful and inexpensive. I made the arrangements for the centerpieces, boquet and corsage and buttioneers(?). If you would like I could make the flowers for you if you chose. The website is fiftyflowers.com. just email me and I would be more than happy to help. fn8202@uncw.edu ~Frances"
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Posted by:
Frances
of Wilmington
on: Friday, July 03, 2009
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Post a reply:
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Low-cost Florist
"Does anyone have any recommendations for a low cost florist in the Wilmington area? My budget is very very small for flowers so I will need someone that can work with that."
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Posted by:
Jessica
of Wilmington
on: Tuesday, June 09, 2009
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Help! any one have experience with this website?
"Well, me and my fiance is busy find for dress for our wedding , we went many shops and check many sites from google, I found this websites http://www.UBrides.com is amazing , so many styles but cheap price , I am a little worried about the quality , so has anyone got from them ,lol.any ideas will be appreaciate."
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Posted by:
Melody
of Shanghai
on: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Airlie Gardens Wedding
"Is it possible to get married at Airlie Gardens with a reception and pay under $8000? Is is possible to coordinate everything and all the vendors without a wedding planner? Can anyone give me advice as to where I need to start with this? Thanks."
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Posted by:
Melissa
of New York
on: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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Great Hairdresser in Wilmington
"Hi- This post is for Jenny in Cary. Casey Lemley at Bello Hair Salon does a fabulous job and she is fun and really reasonably priced. Her number is 910-772-1516. Hope this helps!"
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Posted by:
Courtney
of Wilmington
on: Saturday, August 02, 2008
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Hair salon in Wrightsville Beach
"I'm getting married in Wrightsville Beach but live in Cary and am looking for a good, middle-of-the-road in terms of price, hair salon for my bridesmaids and me. Any suggestions?!?! Thanks!"
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Posted by:
Jenny
of Cary
on: Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Inexpensive wedding ideas
"Hi! I wish I lived in your area so I could give you more specific ideas, but here is what we are doing: Our budget is only 4k, with almost 3k going towards catering (which was hard to find in Jersey) Anyway, we looked at a lot of places and found it best to search for camps in the area. The salvation army runs a youth camp right near our church and rents their reception hall for only $250! And they are letting us have a few days ahead of time to set up, since our wedding is in the fall.
We called multiple hotels twice each, saying that we were 1. having a group discount for a family reunion, and 2. having a group discount for a wedding. Some hotels gave better prices when we said wedding, others hiked their prices at the word wedding.
I know you didn't ask about flowers, but we had such high estimates from florists that we ended u choosing fake for the alter and then real single roses for the centerpieces.
I hope this helps! We had a really hard time staying within our budget, but all it took was a ton of time and energy into looking around.
Congratulations!"
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Posted by:
Heather
of Ringwood
on: Monday, July 14, 2008
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To see more comments on related topics, Go to Bridal Forum
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