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The Butterfly Pavilion

Wedding Budget Breakdown - A Helpful Planning Guide

So you’ve got your partner, and you’ve got the budget for your big day, but how do you allocate the money? Prioritize. The first step in figuring out where your money is going, is figuring out what’s most important to you. Once you’ve figured that out, or if you’re just not sure, read this helpful guide to figuring out your wedding budget breakdown.

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Photographer: My Red Lens

Venue

We listed the venue first because it’s going to take up the biggest part of your budget, however, the venue is undoubtedly the most important part of your big day. So, coming in at 32% of your budget is the venue – the place you’ll say I do, the place that will hold all your guests, the place you’ll get ready, and so much more. The venue holds a huge amount of weight for the success of your big day, so 32% of your budget is really a reasonable price to pay.

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Photographer: Ivy & Linen Co.

Catering

Catering will usually take up about 20% of your budget. Think about it: catering covers tasting appointments, rehearsal dinners, appetizers, main courses (for tons of people), service staff, plates, silverware, napkins, gratuity, and set-up/clean-up fees. If you’re serving speciality drinks, this also covers the server, the drinks, and cups or glasses. Also, the more people you’re planning to serve, the more money you’ll spend on catering. 

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Photographer: Darby Bobo Photo

Photography

Hiring a professional photographer for your wedding day is essential in preserving your most precious memories in the most beautiful way. Because photography is such an important part of your big day, it takes up a good portion of your budget as well. Photography, as well as videography, should take up about 15% of your budget. Your timeless photos will forever be something you can be grateful you splurged on.

Florals

Depending on what you want, florals can be a big part of your budget as well, and usually are! Flowers are ultimately the best way to decorate your wedding day and add the perfect accents of pure, fresh, clean loveliness. Floral prices include corsages, boutonnieres, bouquets, ceremony arches, ceremony arrangements, table centerpieces, cake flowers, entry signs, and more speciality arrangements, which is why they’re such a large part of your budget at 12-15%.

Music

Whether you’re having a DJ or live music with a band, it’s going to take up around 8-10% of your budget. If you’re planning to have something extra like karaoke or a photo booth, the cost is going to be on the higher side. However, typically you can find your musical entertainment for around 8% of your wedding budget.

Dress

Of course, the portion of your budget set aside for your wedding dress is dependent upon what you want to spend, but the average portion of the budget for a wedding dress is 7%. The budget for your dress should also include your wedding day jewelry, shoes, and veil. 

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Photographer: Rivet Events

Cake

Now for the sweet part of your budget – your wedding cake! Wedding cakes can run anywhere from a simple cake at $300 to a crazy extravagant cake at $1500, or maybe even more. The amount your wedding cake costs depends on the kind of cake you want. As a general rule of thumb, you should use around 4% of your budget for your wedding cake, or other wedding dessert! You might even be able to save a bit of money by having a doughnut wall, mini-cheese cakes, cinnamon rolls, or any other type of dessert.

Decor

Now for the sweet part of your budget – your wedding cake! Wedding cakes can run anywhere from a simple cake at $300 to a crazy extravagant cake at $1500, or maybe even more. The amount your wedding cake costs depends on the kind of cake you want. As a general rule of thumb, you should use around 4% of your budget for your wedding cake, or other wedding dessert! You might even be able to save a bit of money by having a doughnut wall, mini-cheese cakes, cinnamon rolls, or any other type of dessert.

Stationary

Formal invitations, save the dates, menus, programs, and thank you cards are just a few of the things that will make up your wedding stationery budget. Typically this will take up about 2% of your budget, but you can save a little money if you know how to make these things yourself. Usually, it’s best to have a professional create beautiful stationery for you, so there are no errors, and so it all looks polished.

Find Your Venue

If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect venue, check out The Butterfly Pavilion and schedule a tour today! Booking is limited for 2022 and booking is now open for 2023! We are proudly locally owned and operated in Acworth, GA and can’t wait to work with you!

Contact us at https://thebutterflypavilion.com/contact-us/ and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Wedding budget breakdown Wedding budget breakdown Wedding budget breakdown Wedding budget breakdown photo-booth We ideas photo-booth ideas photo-booth ideas photo-booth ideas