Wedding budget breakdown: are you on track?

Planning a wedding should be a romantic time. You’re getting ready to declare “forever” in front of your loved ones. But the dreaded budget can take some of the romance out of weddings. We’ve got a budget breakdown to help you along the way.

We know that weddings can come at quite a cost, but it shouldn’t send you to the cleaners. It’s all about being realistic and being prepared. Sure, it’s not sitting back and watching The Notebook levels of romance, but sticking to your wedding budget will set you up for a lifetime of happiness.

Wedding budget breakdown

The best approach to your wedding budget is to start with the overall budget. Also, much like in renovations or travelling, you should account for 10% above and below this budget—you don’t want to stretch it to the very limit or start going into the red, so these windows will allow for incidentals.

From here, there are so many details to consider. There’s the venue and catering, down to attire and photography. With all these costs, it’s easy for them to spiral. If you’ve figured out your whole cost, it’s time to break it down even further. We’ve put together a guide that will help you figure out approximately how much of your budget will go into each detail of the wedding, with some to spare.

1. Venue and catering (40-50%)

Unsurprisingly, venues and catering come in with the highest percentage of your budget. Hovering at around 40 to 50%, this price should include rental fees, meals, drinks and the additional costs of staffing and services.

If your venue price is taking up more than this, it might be time to look at getting married when it’s not peak season or finding a venue that allows catering to be brought in, or drinks to be BYO’d. This could see some of that cost coming down.

2. Photography and videography (10-15%)

It might seem like a high portion of your budget, but remember – these pictures and videos are with you for life. You’ll show your children and your children’s children these images. Capturing your day is absolutely essential. But this comes at a price. 

Our hint? Prioritise experienced vendors whose style aligns with your vision and, if needed, opt for fewer hours of coverage to stay within budget.

If you can’t afford the video portion of this, you’ll be able to save some money by opting for stills only. Just request that your guests send through their video footage so you can see your wedding from all different angles.

3. Attire and beauty (5-10%)

The dress! The groom’s suit! And the army of hair and makeup that you might need. This can definitely all add up. The dress sometimes can be a different portion of the budget as it depends on what the bride has been envisioning – and might be gifted or have a portion paid for by family. This is, after all, the single most important clothing item you’ll ever buy!

Be mindful of alterations, accessories, and beauty trials. These can add up. Consider sample sales, second-hand gowns, or rental options if you’re on a tighter budget.

4. Flowers and décor (5-15%)

Styling the wedding is important. This is where your Pinterest board comes to life! From florals to fairy lights and even fireworks, this part is hugely flexible around your budget. Floral arrangements, centre pieces, and decorative elements will account for your vision but some of this can be DIY’d if needed. 

If you’re looking to scale back these costs, choose seasonal flowers, repurpose ceremony decor, and incorporate more candles and greenery than florals on top of florals.

5. Entertainment and music (5-10%)

“Hey, Mr. DJ, put a record on!” The entertainment makes or breaks a wedding. A great DJ can read the room and pump the vibe up. A live band can come at a cost but is guaranteed to get your guests singing loudly to a cover of Daryl Braithwaite’s Horses. 

Whether it’s a live band, DJ, or string quartet, music sets the mood for your celebration. Factor in any additional costs like sound equipment and microphones for speeches.

6. Stationery and signage (2-5%)

Invitations, place settings, signage with table numbers on it. These might seem like small costs but they can add up – so you’ll want to account for it. If you’re looking to save on this portion of your wedding, go green! Digitise your invitations or choose DIY options. There are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives without compromising style.

7. Miscellaneous and extras (5-10%)

It’s down to the nitty gritty now. Marriage license fees (you know, so you can actually get married!), transport, party favours. Put this as part of your budget so that you’re not left with any surprising bills.

Is your wedding budget breakdown on track?

To stay within budget, regularly review your expenses. You should be keeping a buffer for unexpected costs, and make no major purchase decisions without the input of your partner! You can create a shared document or download a budgeting app that will hold you accountable for your spending. If you find yourself over budget in one category, look for areas where you can cut back.

Start your wedding planning and budgeting process with our budget calculator.