Making the Most of Your Wedding Fund


While your wedding may seem like a fairy tale, its budget is as real as it gets. Although the average American wedding is in the mid-$20,000 range, we all have different amounts of money we can (or want to) spend on a ceremony, and a glorious affair can be held on any budget.

(Never go into debt for a wedding. The last thing you want is to begin your new life together fending off collection agencies. If you don’t have the money, don’t spend it.)

As soon as you are ready to talk seriously about ceremonies, you should figure out the budget. As a general guideline, the reception (site, food, liquor) normally accounts for 45%. Photography tacks on another 10%. The other big three budget items are music, outfits, and flowers, each taking roughly 5%. Using those guidelines, you’ve got 30% of your budget left. Where you skimp and where you splurge is up to you.

Night and day.
Dinner’s a bigger expense than lunch, so go for a daytime affair, or have a cocktail reception. As long as guests are fed something, and you make clear the type of ceremony you’re having on the invitation, anything goes.

Speaking of Liquor: While a cash bar is a huge no-no, a full bar isn’t required. You can save oodles if you nix the mix and serve wine and beer. (Many couples who go this route have champagne served for the wedding toast.) Another option is to have a full bar for a short period of time, not the entire ceremony.

Seasonal savings.
June’s a wonderfully romantic time to get married and wonderfully expensive too. Go for a less-popular month like October or February and you’ll save on site costs. (You’ll also have a better chance of booking the perfect spot.) It may sound obvious, but keep in mind that you’ll save a bundle if your wedding and reception are at the same location.

Day planner.
Similar to the above, Friday and Saturday are more expensive nights to get married than Tuesday, so re-think the date and hour. If you love the place, but think the price is too high, try Saturday afternoon as opposed to evening. One of the advantages of weekday weddings is that guests tend not to drink as much—they have to work the next day.

Sticks and stems.
Go for seasonal flowers, even if they’re your second choice. Use a single, large flower for a centerpiece, or decorate with an alternate and cheaper option, such as candles. As for favors and personalized matchbooks, send guests home with a slice of cake instead.

Unkindest cut.
Finally, take another look at that guest list.  If you cut ten guests, it’s quite possible you’ve just saved $1,000. See how simple math can be?