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how to decide your wedding budget

How to decide your wedding budget


Alison Hargreaves
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
24th of November 2022

The first thing you should do before you embark on your wedding planning journey is set out your budget - it'll dictate every decision you make from the wedding venue to your favours. Not sure where to start? Never fear, we've come up with some questions to ask yourselves before deciding your wedding budget to get you on the right track. 

1. Are we on the same page?

If your partner is imagining the traditional wedding with 200 guests, but you're sold on a smaller wedding and a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, you're going to run into problems. Ensure that you and your partner are on the same page with the type of wedding you both want. 

Bride and Groom romantic photo
2. Who is paying for the wedding?

If family members have mentioned paying for some or all of the wedding, now is the time to ask. Communication is key here: know what you can expect from the offset. The last thing you want is a hefty bill that you weren't expecting a couple of months before the wedding. It's also a good idea to think about how much involvement you want your families having in the wedding planning at this stage. If your parents are paying but you don't want to invite all of their friends, make it clear now to avoid future bad feeling. 

3. What are your priorities?

You can't decide how much to spend until you've decided what you can't live without. Your wedding budget should be perfect for you - save on the things you're not sure on, and splurge on the fun stuff. Make a list of your "musts" and a rough estimation of how much they're going to cost you. This is a great way to get an idea of how much you're talking about for the whole wedding. 

4. How many people are we going to invite?

The number of guest you have at your wedding will affect the amount you have to spend. The more people you invite, the more mouths to feed and glasses to fill. Most venues and caterers work on a cost per head basis, so having an idea of numbers is essential from an early stage so you can get accurate quotes.

Large Wedding party at Asian Wedding
5. What can we comfortably afford?

Take a long look at your finances: What can you actually afford to spend on the wedding? Sit down with your partner and decide how much you're willing to spend comfortably. The last thing you want to do is stretch yourselves and spend the day worrying about the bill. 

Ask yourselves these questions and you'll be well on the way to deciding your wedding budget - happy spending! Need further help with your wedding planning? Check out our free wedding checklist for in our online wedding planner!

Wedding suppliers listed on Guides for Brides are marked from luxury (££££) to budget (£), making it easier for you to choose who to contact.

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Alison Hargreaves

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

The ultimate wedding expert, Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. If you are looking for legal, financial or insurance advice, Alison can use her expertise to assist you in your query.

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