Establish Wedding Budget
2-4 hoursSet total budget and allocate percentages to venue, catering, photography, attire, flowers, and contingency.
Field context
This workflow is part of 3 niche fields
Wedding planning guide covering budget allocation, vendor selection, timeline milestones, guest list management, and day-of coordination essentials.
Set total budget and allocate percentages to venue, catering, photography, attire, flowers, and contingency.
Finalize guest count to determine venue capacity, catering headcount, and invitation quantity.
Research, compare quotes, and book venue, caterer, photographer, DJ/band, and florist within budget.
Create month-by-month checklist from engagement to wedding day covering fittings, tastings, and rehearsals.
Confirm vendor arrival times, gratuity envelopes, seating chart, and emergency kit.
Allocate wedding budget across all major expense categories.
Ensure wedding savings timeline fits engagement period.
Estimate catering quantities and per-plate costs by guest count.
Compare vendor quotes for venue, photo, and catering packages.
Calculate per-guest cost to evaluate package deals.
Calculate gratuity amounts for catering, bar, and delivery staff.
Split shared costs for bachelor/bachelorette trips among attendants.
Percentage guidelines — adjust based on priorities (e.g., photography-heavy couples shift 5% from flowers).
| Category | Typical % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue & Catering | 40–50% | Largest single expense |
| Photography/Video | 10–15% | Book early — top vendors fill fast |
| Attire & Beauty | 8–10% | Include alterations |
| Music/Entertainment | 8–10% | DJ vs. live band |
| Flowers & Decor | 8–10% | Seasonal flowers save 20%+ |
| Contingency | 5–10% | Essential buffer |
Friday or Sunday weddings and off-season months (Jan–Mar) save 20–40% on venue and vendors.
Some venues require in-house catering — confirm before falling in love with outside caterers.
Use online RSVP tools to track meals and plus-ones — saves hours of spreadsheet work.
Photos are the lasting artifact — allocate budget here before extras like monogrammed napkins.