Recently I’ve spoken to quite a few brides who had no idea about their wedding budgets. And when I say no idea, I mean that they didn’t know what things were going to cost in order to make their wedding happen. So of course, I just had to do a {Thursday Tips} about it, because not everyone automatically knows what things cost, right? (I know I had no clue, and had no one to tell me!)

The issue in not knowing what things cost is this-when you don’t know what a budget and price range for one of your vendors is, you can’t plan well. When you can’t plan for the correct and accurate amount to allot to a vendor or service, then all of your other vendors suffer too. For example- you allow for $10,000 for your flowers and decor, but then only have $2,000 left in your budget- and you still need a DJ, photographer, videographer, and limo. So then, you’ve committed to $10,000, but then have to lower it to $2,000 to afford all of the other services that you need for your wedding. And then your vision of a wedding with $10,000 decor is going to be stuck in your mind already, and when you see your wedding with $2,000 decor, you’re going to be a little disappointed. (Now this is a little bit extreme, but something similar has indeed happened to me in my other life as a wedding vendor.)

So in light of “Wedding Budget 101″, here’s a little bit of a budget breakdown, by percentage of your total budget- because we all know not everyone has the same wedding budget!

Reception-Venue & Food: 50%

Photography & Videography: 15%

Florals & Decor: 15% (Sometimes part of this budget is included in the reception budget, depending on your linens and rentals)

Entertainment: 5%

Paper goods: 5%

Miscellaneous: 10%

Note: These things are by no means ALL of what is needed for a wedding or what is required, but they are a good starting point and rule of thumb. Please also refer to other budget recommendations to determine the perfect budget formula for you and your wedding.

And then of course you adjust everything according to what matters more to you and add in other things that you need. Do you want a wedding that has fabulous design and decor with some awesome photography, but don’t really care much about the venue? So spend less on your venue and food, and transfer over more for the things you really want. Give a little and take a little.

If you want to stick to your budget, it definitely helps to have guidelines, especially so you’re not dreaming up things you can’t have. When inquiring with vendors, maybe even ask them what their average bride spends with them. Chances are, they definitely know, and it’s better to ask them outright instead of avoiding the budget topic and wasting yours and the vendor’s time. (I know I myself would rather have brides ask me that right away.) Bottom line- do your research and plan ahead!

Or, you could just get a wedding planner, have he or she help you with it all, and then not have to worry about any of it. ;)