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“Think about the items that are the most important to you (i.e. If you know having an incredible band is more important than décor, you might take some of your floral budgets and add it to your entertainment category.” -John Campbell, owner of John Campbell Weddings Make a list of anticipated expenses (catering, entertainment, etc.) and rank them from most to least important. “Budget with your personal priorities in mind. In doing some research and reaching out to vendors, the couple can then decide more specifically their final budget range.” -Amber McWhorter, owner of Amber McWhorter Photography For many people, this is their first wedding and they do not have much experience. After you have gotten a better idea of the ideal vendors and the costs of everything, revisit this list and make a final decision on what your precise budget is for each. Reach out to some ideal vendors to see if they fit into your budget or if you have a little wiggle room to allow or if you might have to cut some things that you weren't dead set on. Work together to prioritize and make a list of the things that are most important and the things that you might be able to do without contingent on your budget (venue, photographer, wedding planner, florals, food, cake, attire, etc.). Once you have made your list, decide on an estimate for each category and then begin your research. This amount does not need to be set in stone yet, because there is still some research to be done. “The first thing that is most important, is to decide a range in what you would like your budget to be. A wedding planner can help them determine a realistic budget based on their style and vision. If necessary, couples can choose a longer engagement period to allow more time to save towards the budget or multiple family members may be willing to contribute towards the event (nowadays it's rare that the parents of the bride cover 100% of wedding costs it's typically a combination of parents and the couple.)” -Christi Winsor, owner Winsor Event Studio “Couples should begin exploring their wedding vision with a quality wedding planner before they set a date or budget. If you're looking to have a blowout bash, expect to spend more: most of the weddings you see on Instagram are at least six figures.” -John Campbell, owner of John Campbell Weddings It's important to understand, however, that the figures you see online tend to be estimated for simpler weddings. You can find wedding cost guides online that will help you understand investments on the national – and even local – level.
WEDDING BUDGET PLANNING PRO
“Have a realistic expectation of what weddings cost overall and what each wedding pro will most likely cost on their own. For example, you don’t want to create a budget of $1,000 for an open bar only to find out that an open bar tab at your venue actually costs $3,000.” -Brandon Wheeler, owner of Gulf Beach Weddings
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It is impossible to create a wedding budget without first knowing the estimated cost of the elements you want for your wedding day. Once you and your fiancé have agreed on most of these elements, it’s time to research and figure out the approximate cost of everything. beach), number of guests, the formality level of the wedding, etc. “Start by thinking about the type of wedding you want to have. Then from there start to research wedding vendors that match your style and overall price range.” -Miranda Gates, Limelight Photography Think about the overall feel, size, and location of your day. “We know that starting the process of wedding planning and figuring out your overall wedding budget can feel like a daunting task! So the first place to start is by narrowing down and determining your wedding style.
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With budgets and finances being a delicate issue to discuss with your partner or someone who is contributing to your wedding fund, we asked our Tampa Bay wedding experts to share their insight and best tips for setting a wedding budget. Your budget sets the tone for selecting your venue, the rest of your vendor team, and possibly the date. Setting a budget for your wedding day is one of the biggest decisions that you will make before your planning even begins.