Wedding Budget Planner. Free printable with personalized percentages.

You are engaged, congratulations! Now you face the project of planning a wedding from start to finish. Or perhaps you are farther along in the process and feel you need to regroup. Either way, you want nothing falls through the cracks. Two tools can help jumpstart your planning: (1) A complete wedding planning checklist (click or tap here to go to ours) and (2) a wedding budget planner, which you will find below.

A detailed budget goes a long way toward helping you decide where it’s most important to spend your money and where to cut back. And knowing up front how much you have for each item narrows your choices, reducing stress. Generate your itemized budget with the wedding budget planner below.

How to Create Your Wedding Budget

1. Type in the amount you have to spend on your wedding as well as the number of wedding guests.
2. Review the preliminary figures. Because your wedding is unique, many line items will be too high or too low for your situation.
3. Redistribute your budget by adjusting the dollars in each line item. When the total over/under budget is close to zero and each item seems reasonable, the budget is complete!

You can find ideas and current prices of items by clicking links you see throughout the budget. Also, you will see a helpful note or tip by each entry. You can keep these or replace them with your own comments.

When finished, type your email address at the bottom to receive a permanent copy of your budget.

There are 14 spending categories in the budget planner, along with a common range for each in the summary. But there is no reliable rule of thumb for what to spend where. You decide what works for your according to your priorities and situation. Click each category to go to the corresponding place in the budget.

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DIY Wedding Budget Calculator

• Printed Organizer/Planner. Even in a digital world you need a place for notes, brochures, and samples. 1-2%
• Wedding Stationary. This is the printed items for the wedding: save the dates, invitations, programs, thank you cards, etc. 3-5%
• Wedding Rings. You may find the wedding rings budget low. Adjust it according to your funds, and add the cost of an engagement ring if you have included it in your budget. 3-5%
• Bride(s) and Groom(s) Attire. Wedding gown(s), groom suit(s) and all accessories. 10-15%
• Beauty. Hair, makeup, manicure, and pedicure. 0-1%
• Decorations and Flowers. For both the ceremony and reception, including bridal party flowers. 5-8%
• Ceremony Services. License, officiant, and ceremony venue fees (if any). 0-2%
• Reception Services. Reception venue fees, rentals, and wait staff. 13-15%
• Food and Drink. Appetizers, bar, meal, and desserts. Usually the largest expense category. 20-30%
• Photographs and Video. 8-10%
• Music and Entertainment. 6-8%
• Tips, Taxes, and Miscellaneous Ceremony or Reception Expenses. 2-3%
• Gifts and Favors. 2-3%
• Transportation. 2-3%

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Wedding Budget in Dollars: $*

Total Number of Guests: *

Amount Under(-)/Over Budget:

Printed Organizer/Planner

See examples at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/planner

Wedding Stationary

Save the Date Cards or Magnets
Shop them at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/save-date

Invitations and Reply Cards
Budget-Friendly Invites are at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/invites

Postage

Ceremony Programs
Templates and pre-printed options are at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/programs

Thank You Cards
A lot of inexpensive choices are at
(MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/thanks

Other Printed

Even in a digital world you need a place for written notes, brochures, etc.

Initial value based on the number of cards equal to 75% of total expected guest count (your situation may vary). Some couples or families will need only one card, and some of those you invite will not attend. Magnets at $3.50 each.

65% of total expected guest count (some will be couples or families requiring only one card). Custom photo postcards at $1.00 each.

If you have other expenses related to printed items (menus, for example) put the cost here.

We have not included the cost of the engagement ring(s) in the breakdown. If the budget number you typed in does include them, add the cost here.

Ring prices vary widely depending on the metal and quality. This initial cost is figured low, so you may need to make a big change. If not, shop wedding bands under $150 each at: MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/value-bands

Increase this figure if you put a high priority on a designer gown or are buying two gowns. Lower it if you prefer a more affordable dress.

Go to MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/headpieces for some ideas.

You could anywhere from a few dollars up to many thousands for earrings and a necklace.

Comfort tip: Flats or wedding flip flops for the reception are easier on your feet. Find them at: MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/flats

Consider that some suits can be re-worn to events or work after the wedding. If that is your case going a little over budget can be OK.

His shoes do not have to be black. Check out the different colors at MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/mens-shoes

DIY Tip: It really does take talent to make bouquets look amazing. If you must DIY limit the variety of flowers in each bouquet and/or use flowers with many blooms on each stem.

If you keep it straightforward these are relatively simple to make.

Non-floral decorations such as signs, lights, backdrops, or ceiling drapes, go here.

These are flowers you will use in decorating, such as pew markers or rose petals.

This line is for the cost of purchased centerpieces or everything needed to make them.

Check with your local City Hall for actual charge. Or Google "Marriage License" followed by your county and state.

There may be no fee but an expected tip or donation. If the officiant is not explicit about the amount, ask those in your area or church what is customary.

If the cost of the ceremony space is not already covered in the reception venue rental, put it here.

Check what is included with your venue agreement so you do not double count an expense or miss something. Note: Do not include per-plate or other catering charges here. These are in the Food & Drink category.

You may decide to rent expensive items such as catering equipment and seating. Ask your venue or search for wedding rentals in your area.

Fill this in if you are paying servers, bartender, or valet separately.

Use this line for both catering fees and costs of any food you prepare yourselves.

If you are considering using a baker not associated with the venue, ask if there is a plating fee.

If you are considering bringing your own alcohol, ask if there is a corkage fee.

Savings Tip: Give the photographer a list of shots, plus specify a timeframe for taking photos.

Compare the cost of your photographer's packages to the a'la carte costs of the prints you want.

Change to zero if you are not using a videographer.

Tip: The church can often provide an organist.

You will likely need to add more to this line for a live band.

If you have any other outside talent for the wedding reception, put it here.

Tips for all service providers. If your venue provides a staff, check to see if tips are included in your quoted price or extra.

Taxes can be a surprise expense. Ask the caterer, baker, and venue what taxes will be and put them on this line if not already in service totals.

Put any other costs associated with the ceremony or reception here.

Gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, and ushers. To see some unique ideas, go to MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/wpgifts

Popular mother of the bride and mother of the groom gifts are at MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/mothers

Shop favor boxes, bags, stickers, etc. at MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/diy-favors

Change to zero if you are using your own car(s).

This includes valet or venue parking charges.

Any expenses not covered elsewhere go here.

Cost for a stylist or products for a DIY hairdo.

Makeup Tip: Expensive products do not necessarily mean the best. Some drugstore brands look just as good or better than high-priced products.

If the budget does not allow a pro, consider a mani-pedi party for you and the wedding party ladies. This and other bridesmaids ideas are at: MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/bridesmaids

Three needs for postage: (1) 75% of total expected guest count for invites at 46 cents each. See invite line for notes about percentage. (2) The same amount for pre-stamped reply cards. (3) 65% of total expected guest count for thank you postcards at 34 cents each. Note: The postage will be more for each If the invite with envelope weighs more than one ounce or it is oversized. Also, if you send regular thank you cards instead of postcards the postage will be more.

Initial value assumes one per guest. Professionally printed by the designer on nice paper $1.50 each. Some choose to forego the handouts and display a sign near the head of the aisle. Find examples of both types at: MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/programs

Initial value based on the number of cards equal to 75% of total expected guest count (your situation may vary). Some couples or families will need only one card, and some of those you invite will not attend. Invitations, envelopes, and reply cards at $5.45 each set.

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Wedding Rings

Engagement Ring(s)

Wedding Rings
Unique, low-budget wedding bands are at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/value-bands

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Bride(s) and Groom(s) Attire

Bridal Gown

Veil and/or Headpiece

Bridal Jewelry
Necklace and earring sets are at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/jewelry-sets

Bride's Ceremony and Reception Shoes

Groom's Suit, Tuxedo, or Other Attire

Groom's Shoes and Accessories

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Beauty

Hair

Makeup

Manicure and Pedicure

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Decorations and Flowers

Bride, Bridesmaids, and Flower Girl Bouquets and Flowers

Boutonnieres and Corsages

Flowers (non-centerpiece)

Decorations (non-centerpiece)

Centerpieces

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Ceremony Services

Marriage License

Officiant Fee, Tip, or Donation

Ceremony Venue Charge

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Reception Services

Reception Venue Charges

Equipment or Other Rentals

Wait Staff

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Food and Drink

Appetizers and Meal

Cake and Desserts

Beverages and Bar

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Photographs and Video

Photography Service

Photo Prints, Albums, and/or Digital Rights

Videographer Service and Video

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Music and Entertainment

Ceremony Soloists and Individual Musicians

DJ or Band

Other Entertainment

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Tips, Taxes, and Misc.

Tips

Taxes

Miscellaneous Expense

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Gifts and Favors

Wedding Party Gifts
Unique ideas are at
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/wpgifts

Parents' Gifts

Favors

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Transportation

Limo or Wedding Car Rental

Guest Transportation and/or Parking

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Other

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If you would like an email copy of your budget, please type in the captcha, fill in your email, and press Send My Budget. By doing this you also give permission to use and store your email address to send you the checklist. This will be its only use.

WEDDING STATIONARY TOTAL

Email

BRIDE AND GROOM ATTIRE TOTAL

BEAUTY TOTAL

CEREMONY SERVICES TOTAL

RECEPTION SERVICES TOTAL

FOOD AND DRINK TOTAL

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO TOTAL

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT TOTAL

OTHER CEREMONY AND RECEPTION TOTAL

GIFTS AND FAVORS TOTAL

TRANSPORTATION TOTAL

DECORATIONS AND FLOWERS TOTAL

RINGS TOTAL

Total

Amount Over or Under Budget

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