• Reception: This is most likely where you will spend most of your money. 
• Typically the price of catering , the reception hall rental, and the service fees should be added to create this sum. 
• If you really want to go all out, spend roughly 50% or more of your budget on the reception.
• If the reception is not as important to you as other aspects of the wedding, look to lower the amount you spend to about 25% of your total budget. 

• Wedding Attire:  You will spend a nice amount of money to look your best.
• Expect to allocate about 10-15% of the budget towards a wedding gown ,bridesmaid dresses , and dinner jacket rentals .
• Remember that you may have to add on the price of alterations and beauty services.

• Photography and Video: You'll want to preserve your memories in style.
• Anticipate about 10% of your budget to go towards photographers and videographers .
• If you have close friends who are involved in photography , ask them to help out!  You can save yourself money and have a trusted professional. 

• Entertainment: Think about what kind of music will be going on during the ceremony  and the reception .
• Expect to set aside another 6-10% of your budget towards entertainment. 
• Whether you plan to hire musicians  or hire a DJ, compare different prices before making a decision.
• You may also want to take some dance lessons  to prepare you for the first dance!  If you decide to go this route, add it into the budget. 

• Flowers and Decoration: Depending on how minimal or elaborate you might go, these costs can vary.
• It is a safe bet to save 6-8% of your budget for flowers and decorations. 
• Remember that you decorations will cover the ceremony and also the reception.  Try to coordinate them with a theme! 

• Wedding Stationery: This includes everything from save-the-dates to formal invitations  to place cards  to thank you notes . 
• Spend about 3-5% of the budget on paper .  Remember that this is what makes an initial impression to your guests about the wedding. 
• If you are looking to hire a calligrapher , that will certainly run you more money than the cost of printing.  

• Rings:  These will last forever, so make them count.
• Anticipate spending another 2-5% of your budget on the wedding rings . 
• If you are choosing to have them engraved or looking for a more expensive metal , factor that into your budget. 

• Transportation:  You and your guests have to get to the ceremony somehow.
• The average percentage that couples spend on transportation is 2%. 
• If you are going extravagant and renting a horse and carriage, be prepared to pay a little bit more than you would for a traditional limousine .  

• Ceremony:  Even though this is the part of the wedding that counts the most, you don't need to break the bank.
• Most couples spend about 2% on the wedding ceremony. 
• Remember that you may have to hire an officiant and pay legal fees. 

• Miscellaneous Expenses:  Surely there will be many other costs to think about. 
• Save room in your budget for forgotten items!  It is safe to add on about 10-15% of your initial budget to serve as a financial cushion.
• Think about lodging for your guests , lodging for your wedding night the cost of wedding insurance , gifts for your wedding attendants, and other details you might have initially  overlooked. 

How to Have a Big Wedding on a Small Budget 

Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding That Fits Your Budget and Style 

Beautiful Wedding Decorations and Gifts on a Small Budget 

Wedding Dresses on a Budget 

The Everything Weddings on a Budget Book: Plan the Wedding of Your Dreams - without Going Bankrupt 

Wedding Budget Basics

Money Saving Tips for Weddings

Who Pays for What

Wedding Planning and Organising