Wedding budget?? Help and wedding checklists

Budgets vary soooooo much depending on the type of wedding the couple wants. Right now the average wedding in the US is over $30,000. But I think if you want a small, casual wedding, or a courthouse wedding, or maybe an elopement, then you could pull it off for $3,000 if you are very careful with your budget.

View Quoted Comment Ours is definitely small, not sure a micro wedding but I have 38 invites to send out! My co worker told her friends dad took a $50,000 loan for his daughters wedding!

I am not sure why MOH needs to know budget as that should be established with you and FH unless she needs to know for Bachelorette, etc. Anyday of the week, except Saturday, can be reasonably priced as well as brunch/lunch receptions vs dinner. Local Parks and Rec venues are more affordable rather than all inclusive venues. Cakes can be bought at Costco/Safeway rather than bakery as well as flowers. I think $3,000 will be tough to pull off but it depends on where you live, too.

I would have started wedding planning with a budget. You already have a dress and tux vibe right? I think $3k (excluding attire) may be hard to do as photographers may cost that much. But everything depends on your location. The largest cost is F&B usually as price per head. Talk to your partner and use the WW budget and checklist tools. Make a spreadsheet. Btw, nevermind fiance's "reasonable" claims, because neither of you know what's the regional cost of vendors, so you will get sticker shock. Don't worry, you have time to shop around and find what is best for you.

Btw, people who have parents pay for their weddings are on a different scale with different expectations and headaches, so no need to compare. Good luck.

Our must haves were great food, drinks, music, venue on the water where guests can stay overnight.
When I break down our tally per person including food, drinks, DJ, Photographer, and Florals it comes to $280 per person. Keep in mind that out DJ and Photographer are very reasonable prices under $1500 each and florals were around the same. Some of the florals from ceremony are bring repurposed to reception.
We cut out much of the unnecessary things like favors and guest book. We are not having bridal parties, just a Best Woman and Man. You will find your budget of $3k is unrealistic once you start getting quotes and tallying the expenses.

View Quoted Comment We live in super small town! I may push it to $5,000! Yes I’m not sure why the MOH wanted to know either. Me and my fiancé has discussed it and we know what we can afford. I felt put on the spot really

View Quoted Comment Our vender has no cost! My dress is around $300, my photographer is $600. Just thinking about it I already think I need to raise it cause in my head I’m almost at 2,500 . Thank you I’m definitely trying the WW budget out!

View Quoted Comment Yes I am finding this out! I didn’t think everything would add up so fast!

It isn’t anyone else’s business what your budget is, especially if they are not paying the vendors. Depending where you are located, $3000 will get you cake and coffee at the local community center or order pizzas from the Costco food court for a full meal. Shop around to get a ballpark of price ranges from vendor websites. Before you do any set in stone vendor/venue searches, sit down with fiancé and decide together what your vision is and what you want to focus on (many couples choose the guest experience of good food, free drinks and awesome dj along with great photography for your memories) and what doesn’t matter that you will cut out entirely. Your budget is what you are able and willing to spend yourselves without assistance from others, because they who pay get final say and parents have already gotten married. At the same time, figure out who your must have guests are and do not invite anyone out of obligation whose attendance will cause you stress. That number will be important when searching for venues.



It is not too early to start planning because many weddings that were postponed from the pandemic are still playing “catch up” so some vendors may already be booked and unavailable. Get your venue first and then the major vendors to interview and secure after that are officiant, caterer, photographer, dj, and month of coordinator.

View Quoted Comment I am definitely making my budget bigger after actually thinking everything you ladies are saying! Thank everyone soooo much for the eye opener!

While 3000 might be a bit tight, I wouldn't worry about needing 15K or anything. It is completely possible to work with a smaller budget. Our budget was approx 6K and we had "all the things" - a beautiful bespoke ball gown, loads of flowers, pictures in a gorgeous location, lots of custom decorations, alcohol, a beautiful 3 tier cake and nice food. If you're on a budget, you just learn to be creative and source things in places most people don't think of. So much can be done by you as well!

For instance, we spent about 600 on flowers but for that we bought 100 bouquets from supermarkets, built an arch and lots of displays ourselves. And I had a gorgeous cascading orchid bouquet from a florist for me, with 2 smaller ones for bridesmaids.

Good luck! Don't worry too much.