One of the trickiest parts of wedding planning is figuring out your wedding budget breakdown. When you have an overall wedding budget, what percentages of that wedding budget do you divide among vendors?
To help you figure out how much of your wedding budget you’ll allocate to different aspects of the big day,here our guide on
BUDGET FOR A WEDDING IN ITALY
Remember, though, that these are averages, and how you choose to create your wedding budget is completely up to you. You may choose to spend more or less in certain areas depending on your preferences and personality, and that’s totally okay. Also note that your wedding cost and wedding budget percentages may be different depend on where you’re getting married, the size of your guest list, and more other factors.
Venue, Catering, Cake, and Rentals: 50% of total wedding budget
You’ll notice that the biggest chunk of your wedding budget will be taken up by your food and venue costs! First, you’ll need to make sure that you find a venue that can comfortably fit all of your guests, even in case of rain! You’ll also want to find a venue that fits your style—whether it’s an Italian Villa, a Castle, or a country house.
As for catering, it’s clear that your guests will be expecting delicious italian food. Remember, though, that your catering bill doesn’t just mean the actual food. You’re paying for preparation, equipment, wait staff, and much more. If your caterer is also handling the bar, the liquor and bartenders are also part of this bill.
Your cake and desserts will also account for part of this category too. From the tipical Italian millefoglie cake to tipical American cakes, the more elaborate and bigger the cake, the more expensive.
And don’t forget rentals, either! Tables, chairs, glassware, linens, flatware, and much more. If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, a tent may be necessary. In some cases your venue or caterer will provide these items for you. If not, you’ll need to hire a separate rentals company to supply these important details. Learn more about How much does wedding catering cost
Photography and Videography: 10% of total wedding budget
It is the job of your wedding photographer to capture your wedding day moments. Choose a photographer o whose work you love, of course, but also people who you genuinely like and enjoy being around. Also remember that you’re not only paying for the final products like photos and album, but your photographer’s time at your event, editing time, equipment and more. Learn more about How much does a wedding photographer cost in Italy?
Wedding Attire, Hair, and Beauty: 10% of total wedding budget
You want to look your best on your wedding day! And between your dress, hair, and makeup, it can really add up. Fortunately, there are lots of dresses and tuxedos to choose from at a variety of price points. And don’t forget to factor alterations into your budget. Tailoring your attire can be costly, but necessary to ensure your gown or tux fits like a glove. Don’t forget all your accessories like veil, gloves, shoes!
As for make-up and hair, it’s a good idea to hire professionals for the task. They’ll know how to highlight your best features and guarantee you’ll look amazing for your entire wedding day—and in photos, too!
Flowers, Lighting, and Décor: 8% of total wedding budget
This category is all about ensuring that your wedding looks beautiful! The right lighting, flowers, and décor can truly transform any space. And when it comes to flowers, remember that you’re not just paying for the actual blossoms. You will pay for the labor involved with processing the flowers, labor and productions, supplies, delivery, breakdown, and more.
Music: 10% of total wedding budget
Music is an important part of a wedding reception, so hiring a professional to coordinate the music is essential to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Band or DJ is up to you, but there are different costs associated with live music as opposed to a DJ. So it’s important to do your research before booking and factoring into your wedding budget breakdown.
Invitations and Stationery: 3% of total wedding budget
Printed products play a big role both before your wedding (save-the-dates, invitations, and more) and on the day of (ceremony programs, table numbers, escort cards, menu cards, etc.). There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to wedding paper things, so be sure to pick paper products that fit your style and wedding budget.
Transportation: 2% of total wedding budget
Hiring cars or bus services for your wedding will ensure that everyone gets to where they need to be safely and on time. Yes, it’s an added expense to factor into your wedding budget breakdown, but it’s definitely worth it. You may choose to provide transportation for yourself, your partner, family members and wedding party, or you can also provide transportation for all your guests.
Favors and Gifts: 2% of total wedding budget
Providing Favors and welcome bags to your guests, whether they are edible or keepsakes, is a nice gesture — and don’t forget about buying gifts for your wedding party and family members!
Extra Expenses: 5%
Save yourself the stress of agonizing over variables that aren’t in your control by setting aside an emergency fund for unexpected costs