Part 2 "Budget: Who pays for What?"

"R" For Rachel's wedding. We made these using a coupon for silk
flowers found online at Michael's. We made these months before
the wedding. 

Weddings are not cheap, and I don't think anyone wants to have a wedding that looks cheap. There are people out there that say "get a free venue like a park". With that you need to check into sound ordinances, permits, curfews, outside caterers, insurance, and I personally think that is a headache. "Just do appetizers", um maybe, but not for anyone that I know. Yes, appetizers are cheaper than a full dinner, but isn't your wedding a way to thank all those wonderful people in your life for all they have done for you, believed in your love, watched you grow up, and now are celebrating in a milestone in your life? Do you want them to feel that all they are worth are a few appetizers? I don't think so. Part 2 of the wedding series is dedicated to your Budget, and ways to realistically cut costs without sacrificing etiquette! 

     

       According to The Knot this is an example of a budget breakdown:

48-50% of your total budget goes to Reception

Ceremony= 2-3%

Attire= 8-10%

Flowers= 8-10%

Music= 8-10%

Photography/Videography= 10-12%

Stationary= 2-3%

Rings= 2-3%

Transportation= 2-3%

Gifts= 2-3%

Miscellaneous= 8%

This is obviously just one of the many ways to break up your budget. For instance, my parents paid for my wedding so I was NOT going to have them pay for my husbands ring, or mine, and I was not going to have them pay for gifts. Their gift to me was wedding, so I was not going to have them also pay for gifts for family, and bridal party. Therefore, about 5% was allotted to something else. It's all up to you, but this is an idea.

        Like I said earlier, my parents paid for my wedding. Nowadays, that isn't the norm. Many Bride and Grooms pay for their own wedding, or it is broken up into many different ways amongst the family. However, traditionally the family of the Bride pays for pretty much everything, but the Groom's family does help out in a few areas. And they are as follows:

The Officiants fee, and gratuity

Groom's Attire

Groom's cake (if you are doing one)

Bride's bouquet

Family members corsages

Bride's going away corsage (very old school)

Bride's Wedding Gift

Usher and Groomsman's Gifts

Rehearsal Dinner

Marriage License

Prenuptial Agreement

*These can be paid by either the Groom or his family if you are going the traditional route

I have just decided that Budget is such an important part of the Wedding that I am dedicating 2 articles to it. You just read Part 1 " Who pays for what?"

Part 2, "Realistic ways to cut costs without sacrificing etiquette is coming up"