Wedding Hive Podcast

Wedding Budget Breakdown

• Wedding Hive

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We break down the average U.S. wedding cost of $33,000 and discuss how to allocate your budget according to what matters most to you and your partner rather than following standard percentage guidelines.

• Average wedding cost in the United States is currently $33,000
• Typical budget breakdown: 45% venue/catering/rentals, 5-15% planner, 12% photo/video, 10% music, 10% flowers, 6% miscellaneous items, 9% attire
• Prioritize spending on what's most important to you rather than following standard percentages
• Consider investing more in venue, photography, videography, and DJ for lasting memories
• Areas to potentially save: flowers, favors, wedding shoes
• Remember to budget for often forgotten costs like dress alterations, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, vendor trials
• Money-saving tips include all-inclusive packages, DIY decor/florals, reducing guest count
• Modern wedding funding often involves contributions from both families rather than traditional bride's family paying all
• Keep control of your vision even when others contribute financially—it's YOUR wedding


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Speaker 1:

Hey Queens, it's Grace, and for today's Daily Buzz, our listener sent in a question and Kelsey, what's an average budget for weddings?

Speaker 2:

Oh, this is such a good question and I feel like it's one that will forever be a hot topic. The budget is one of the most important things when it comes to planning your wedding and how to navigate it. So the average cost for a wedding currently in the United States is $33,000. Yeah, how does that number sound to you?

Speaker 1:

I mean that's like right on the nail, Like for me I would say, with my wedding, with venue, everything wrapped in bow on top about, I would say, 33, maybe 35,000. Yeah, it's a lot.

Speaker 2:

It is. So $33,000 is the average cost to pay for a wedding in the US. Some breakdown of that cost 45% of it typically goes to venue catering rentals. 5% to 15% of it goes planners or coordinator. 12% is photo video. 10% is music or entertainment, 10% flowers and decor. 6% of that is miscellaneous stationery, cake favors. 9% of it is wedding attire. However, grace, do you have to use these percentages?

Speaker 1:

No, I don't think so.

Speaker 1:

When you're starting the planning process of your wedding, I really think not only what's the budget, but what's most important to spend money on with that budget.

Speaker 1:

If it's venue is most important, if photography is most important, I think that'll also just go in with wedding day. When you get there, I think the day of you'll be like okay, I'm so glad we did spend the money on the venue. I'm glad we didn't really spend money on the signage because I didn't even pay attention to that. So, being really keen on what's most important between you and your fiance, I personally, when it comes to budgeting, I'm really glad I spent money on the venue, the photographer, videographer and our DJ. Photos and video are what's going to capture that day so special. The venue's probably one of the biggest pieces, and then DJ, you want that reception vibe to be all there all night. And for not spending, I'm really glad I didn't really spend a lot of money on flowers, favors and I didn't spend a lot of money on my wedding shoes because I wanted my feet to be comfy all night.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I love that. One really good tip is for if you want to go to zolacom that's typically where I see wedding websites built out but also on Zola they have a budgeting sheet and it's so great because you're able to use that budgeting tool. You can put in your total budget and what that looks like and it will actually give you a percentage breakdown for everything and then you can go into that breakdown and decide if you're keeping that For example, are you keeping favors or not. So you're able to pull that favors out of that budgeting tool and then it will reallocate those funds and you're able to kind of see a starting point overall budget to then start to make those adjustments as you are getting those proposals and those quotes from vendors.

Speaker 1:

And remember not only just the known things when it comes to weddings. Do not forget about random costs, such as dress alterations, your bachelorette party, bridal shower. Be mindful, too, of those spending things that go into tail with wedding day, because they add up very quickly.

Speaker 2:

Yes, tastings are not always free. Mock floral trials, things like makeup and hair trials sometimes those aren't included in your hair and makeup package, and so you want to spend the money for the trial to make sure that your hair and makeup is the exact glam you're looking for on wedding day. I agree, grace. Okay, so let's talk about some tips to saving. So I won't say so that much.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

Grace. Let's talk about some tips to saving money on your wedding. So a few options are. You can do an all-inclusive package or an inclusive package.

Speaker 1:

I wasn't, brock was just being Brock. No, that was great, literally. He was just over here chuckling Someone was just laughing.

Speaker 2:

Here are some tips to saving money on your wedding day. One option is you can go with an all-inclusive package, something that includes your venue. Many all-inclusive packages include those big ticket items like catering, bartending, florals, wedding cake, DJ, different pieces like that. Another option is you can DIY your decor and your floral. Another option is to drop your guest count, because the average plate to feed your guests is $80. And if you have 250 guests, that means you are spending $20,000 on food just to feed that 250 people. So take into account your guest count. Another option is to find that happy middle those expectation and budget. I know we all have big expectations, but our budget does play a role in that.

Speaker 1:

I totally agree. When it comes to budgeting, also take into account of how are you paying for this wedding. I know, at least for me, me and my husband were fortunate enough to split the cost between our parents and us. So, taking that into account, and also, how do you feel about the traditions of brides parents should pay for the wedding. What do you think about that?

Speaker 2:

I think that's so out the window right now. I feel like family members are still contributing, but I see it both on bride and groom side. Currently it's not just the bride side of the family is paying for it, or just bridal bride's family is paying for the entire wedding and groom's family is paying for it, or just bridal. You know, bride's family is paying for the entire wedding and groom's family is paying just for the rehearsal dinner. I'm seeing that bride and groom's parents are offering a number that they're willing to pay to contribute to the wedding budget, and that is great family support, yeah.

Speaker 1:

And just a reminder you guys, just because family helps, make sure you put your foot down and make sure that you have the wedding that you want, and not because of what your family wants, because they're helping with the money aspect.

Speaker 2:

Correct, this is not their second wedding. Correct, this is your wedding, and so you should have the say in what is done.

Speaker 1:

And that is the Daily Buzz.