While planning a wedding is an exciting time, it can also be extremely stressful. Checking off to-do lists one by one and hoping everything falls into place can be daunting. So daunting, that sometimes it can be hard to stay organized. In fact, “wedding brain” affects even the best of us no matter how much we try to avoid it. When preparing your wedding budget, it is easiest to start with the biggest expenses. These costs will leave the largest dent in your budget. To give you an idea of how much money you should set aside, according to statistics compiled by The Knot, the average cost of a typical American wedding in 2021 ranged from $28,000 to $40,000 for 50-100 guests. For weddings with more than 100 guests the average is obviously higher. It is important to remember that costs will fluctuate even more greatly depending on many other important factors such as geographic location, season of the year, day of the week and timeframe of the big day. In the world of weddings, it’s not uncommon for some weddings to be upwards of $100,000.

 

We’ve listed the 3 biggest wedding expenses below to factor into your budget. If you start with those you’ll have a better chance of staying on budget.

 

We can pretty much guarantee the venue cost will be one of your heftiest wedding expenses. In 2021, couples spent about 30 percent of their overall budget on this, and in 2022 that percentage has been trending even higher. The venue cost usually only covers the space itself, and it often does not include décor, entertainment, or other vendors needed. If it’s a hotel then it will likely include in-house catering, but for many venues the catering is a separate expense. If you are hoping to cut corners and not spend an arm and a leg for this part of your wedding, guest count and location will be the biggest factors of impact. For example, venues in big cities can rack up a far bigger price tag than in a small town. It is also highly encouraged to pay close attention to the time of year, as peak wedding season as well as weekend nights are often more expensive. It is important to note that the venue cost sometimes accounts for everything including table setting rental items, but sometimes it doesn’t, so it’s important to check.

 

Many couples believe that the food and beverage offerings either make or break their wedding day. This is why some will splurge on their catering budget here. The type of food options will also impact the cost, as a more inclusive food menu that includes vegan or kosher options may have an upcharge and better cuts of beef or seafood almost always come at a premium cost. If you are looking for a cheaper option, buffet style dinners are usually the way to go. This is because plated sit down dinners require more staffing and attention to detail, as each dish is handcrafted, whereas a buffet style the guest often plate the food themselves, or are assisted by a handful of servers. Action stations sometimes cost even more, but each venue is different. Couples have the freedom of choice here when it comes to their wedding catering package, as the food and beverage options can be as endless or as limited as they want. For example, if a couple wants to save more in this category, they can consider opting for only one to two options on the food menu, switch entrees to a less expensive entrée, change the way the food is served, nix the full open bar choosing a more limited bar menu, or substitute for a cash bar.

 

A wedding is an experience for all involved. It is not only a beautiful celebration of love, but also a great time to connect with friends and family. Entertainment is a priority for many couples and there is a wide range of options: from DJ’s, to local bands, to imported bands, to party favors, to activities such as caricaturists or live paintings taking place as guests watch. Music is often the most popular form of wedding entertainment, as guests love to work the dance floor and a fun way to bond with friends and family. Live wedding bands are usually the most expensive option but a non-negotiable for some couples. A DJ is a great and more affordable option. Either way your MC will be on the microphone, energizing the crowd and making the party what it’s meant to be.

 

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and stress of wedding planning, but those engaged should relax and trust that everything will go to plan. At the end of the day, you and your partner will get married, and that is all that truly matters. While there are no rules when it comes to wedding planning, but there is one very important tip: make a budget and stick to it. No matter how big or small, budgeting allows you to plan ahead and not deal with stress down the road. It’s easy for couples get sidetracked and sometimes spend beyond their means, which could possibly cause them to go into debt. Debt can prohibit you from making future life milestones like buying a home. This can lead to problems later down the road, especially when it comes time to qualify for a loan or review your credit score, which are important aspects for other financial goals that you and your spouse may have. To help prevent this from happening, outline your biggest expenses first and go into the wedding planning process with strength. You may have to cut corners on some expenses, or settle for more affordable options, but by doing so you could be saving your future self. With this in mind, you’ll be armed with everything you need to make informed budget decisions and stay worry-free.