Planning a Budget for a Wedding
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A wedding starts with planning a budget. This will hopefully cut down on the unexpected expenses.
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Ceremony site - If you are planning to rent a site for the wedding.
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Clergy or local officials - Donations or fees are always charged.
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Music - organist or any singers at the wedding.
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Reception hall - Many times hall rental is charged separate from per plate for the meals.
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Catering - Most caterers charge per plate. Remember to always subtract a minimum of 5% from the
people who say they will attend. Things happen and not all guests are able to attend. If you say 100
people you are generally charged for 100 people even if only 90 to 95 show up. If 105 show up the
caterer will not know. Don't forget gratuity for the servers.
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Invitations - Priniting costs + postage for both mailing and returned responses. Don't forget to include
place cards and Thank You notes and postage as well.
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Wedding Cake - Many times this is not included with the caterer. Also include the cake topper, cake knife
and server.
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Wedding car - Will you decorate it yourself, hire a limo or in many areas a horse drawn carriage.
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Clothing - Brides dress, mothers dress, fathers tux, shoes and accessories. Don't forget any siblings who
are not in the wedding party.
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Entertainment - Hiring a band or DJ for the reception.
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Florist - Brides bouquet, brides maids bouquets, boutonnières, church flowers, reception flowers,
corsages
for mothers and don't forget any grandparents attending.
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Wedding Coordinator - If you are planning on hiring one.
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Gifts for wedding party - It is customary to give a memorable gift of thanks to the members of the
wedding party.
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Bar bill - don't forget these beverage charges, tips for the bartender and some states have a license fee.
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Rental - If you are having a backyard garden wedding consider charges for tent, tables, cookers, china,
dinerware etc.
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Photographers - Consider charges for photos and video of the wedding and reception. Photo albims for
bride and groom and copies of videos for members of the wedding party.
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Fees and other charges - Marriage license, blood tests, consider wedding insurance.
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Beauty Salon - For the bride and mother of the bride, hair cuts for dad and any siblings.
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Accommodations - For any out of town guests, bride and groom on wedding night.
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Rehearsal Dinner - Customary after the wedding rehearsal for everyone and their guests in the wedding
party.
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Miscellaneous - Guest book, pillow for ring bearer, toast glasses for bride and groom, favors and
wishing well for gift envelopes.
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