Budgeting for a wedding in today's crazy world can be daunting, but staying organized and following some guidelines will help lessen than budget-anxiety.


Before you start booking vendors or falling in love with Pinterest inspiration, take time to set a realistic budget that aligns with your priorities as a couple. No two weddings are the same, so decide where you want to splurge and where you’re willing to save. In this section, I have some guidelines to help you lay out your budget, and I will explain how to use my wedding expenses spreadsheet template (a tool that could save you hours of headache)!


Wondering how to divvy up your budget? Here’s a suggested percentage breakdown from the pros:

  • Venue & Catering: 40-50%
  • Photography & Videography: 15-20%
  • Attire & Beauty: 5-10%
  • Entertainment: 10%
  • Florals & Décor: 10%
  • Stationery & Invitations: 3-5%
  • Planner/Coordinator: 5-10%
  • Miscellaneous (Favors, Rentals, Guest Experiences, etc.): 5%
  • Emergency Fund: 5-10%


With that said, every couple has different priorities. Some may care more about having the best band in the world, while others want to splurge on their photo and video team. Make sure that you and your fiancé determine what is most important to you as you set your budget and what you could go without.


In terms of average prices, this is super dependent on where in the country you are having your wedding. As a wedding photographer serving NYC and the tristate area, my packages are going to look different from a photographer in a rural part of the country.


Personally, when I was a bride, my now-husband & I decided that photography and a band were the most important. I decided to make my own save the dates and invites on Canva instead of buying really expensive stationery and I also knew I didn’t want to spend money on a professional planner. (But, if all of this gives you a headache, hire the planner-- it will save you tons of hours of your time and that may be worth it to you!)



Once you start booking vendors and charging that little plastic card here, there and everywhere, it can be easy to lose track of how much you’re spending. That’s why I have created a wedding expenses spreadsheet template with multiple tabs to help you stay organized and on-track with your budget! The first tab will explain in depth how to use the sheet, and here is what you will find:

  • The Budgeting tab will help you keep track of the overall budget. You’ll fill in your total estimated wedding budget and then work with your fiancé to determine what percentage of your budget you want to dedicate to each category.
  • The Running Costs tab will help you keep track of EVERY expense. This sheet will automatically show you how much money you have left to use in each expense category, too.
  • The Payment Tracker tab will keep track of all your vendor deposits and future payments (including adding due dates). Don't forget to add due dates into your calendar -- this will help you make sure you never miss a payment!
  • The Tipping Guide tab will help you factor in tips! Make sure to check this out sooner than later to make sure you're factoring this into your whole budget. (With that said, great reviews are a non-monetary way to tip your vendors, too!)



Budgeting and spending is frequently one of the most stressful parts of wedding planning for couples, so I truly help that this helps to simplify your life! Don’t forget that a wedding should NOT put you in debt; only spend what you are comfortable with. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful and meaningful!