How to set a wedding budget
Start with the money, not the wish list: what you've saved, what you can save before the wedding and what family is contributing. That total is your budget - then decide what matters most to the two of you and give it the bigger share.
A common starting split, which you'll adjust to your priorities:
- Venue and catering: around 40-50% - the biggest line in almost every wedding, and driven by your guest count.
- Photography and video: 10-15%.
- Attire and beauty: 5-10%.
- Flowers and decor: 8-10%.
- Music and entertainment: 5-10%.
- Stationery, favours, transport, rings and the rest: 10-15%.
- A buffer of 5-10% for the costs nobody mentions: service charges, tips, overtime, alterations.
Track commitments, not just payments
The money you've paid is only half the picture. The moment you sign a contract, the full amount is committed - and that's the number to compare with your budget. BrideSpark shows planned, committed, paid and remaining side by side, so you know what you can still spend before you say yes to the next thing.
Never miss a deposit
Wedding payments are spread over a year or more: deposits at booking, instalments, final balances a few weeks before the day. Add a due date to each and BrideSpark emails you a week before and the day before. The Monday digest lists what's coming up, too.