{"id":3597,"date":"2024-04-22T09:20:41","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T09:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelafitchphotography.co.uk\/?p=3597"},"modified":"2024-04-22T09:20:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T09:20:42","slug":"getting-the-best-value-out-of-your-wedding-budget-first-up-how-to-build-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelafitchphotography.co.uk\/getting-the-best-value-out-of-your-wedding-budget-first-up-how-to-build-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting the best value out of your wedding budget – first up, how to build a budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
You got engaged! Congratulations! An incredibly exciting time for you both and, of course, for your families. After the initial rush of hugs, kisses and the occasional pop of Champagne corks, it\u2019s time to get down to business and start planning what you both want, when you want it and where you want it to happen. All crucial questions, but there\u2019s one more: how is it all going to be paid for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quick online check will provide templates to help you decide what\u2019s important and what isn\u2019t and only when you are confident that you know how you would like your wedding day to look can you start thinking about the financial side of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to create a wedding budget<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Make a list of absolutely everything that you need\/want for your wedding day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Add realistic costs, allowing for inflation, next to each item on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Total it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Count the number of months between now and the big day and divide the total by the months. This is how much needs to be set aside every month, starting this month!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on a wedding date set two years from today the above figures mean that you will need to save about \u00a31235 per month, every month to cover the above costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cImpossible\u201d<\/em>, I hear you say, and I agree. \u00a330,000 is a lot of money and could be the deposit on a house, a brand new electric car, financial security for the future or a massive debt around your necks for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time to look at the absolute essentials, a few lovely extras and perhaps deleting a handful of expensive luxuries that you can manage without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now revise the original wish list to include the essentials and three or four \u2018must haves\u2019. Now, consider the other big ticket items: venue, food and beverage, photographer, videographer, entertainment and honeymoon and look at the figures again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What a difference and you haven\u2019t changed the date, trimmed the guest list, denied yourselves something nice to wear, settled for cheap wedding rings or changed your honeymoon destination! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, based on a wedding date set for two years hence, your monthly saving commitment has been slashed to \u00a3557. Does that sound more realistic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe a further tweak or two is needed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The above outline, albeit modest will certainly cover everything lovely wedding need but may means a little more hands-on organisation by the bride, groom and perhaps one or two family and friends. The big difference is that the commitment to save is now down to \u00a3390 a month. If that\u2019s still a challenge, trimming the guest list by 10 names and taking a UK honeymoon will cut costs by about \u00a31600, taking the total cost to \u00a37,685 and monthly saving commitment to a more manageable \u00a3320.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to make the savings without anyone noticing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The venue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Switching a flashy hotel or castle for something more modest or even a humble village hall may not be what you had in mind, but believe me, it really can work if you choose the right location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all venues are equal! Photographing a recent wedding at The Hundred House Hotel at Norton, in Shropshire, I found five minutes to check out their wedding package flier and it made a refreshing change to see great value for money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This particular venue includes much of what any couple could ask for on their wedding day. \u00a34,000 covers a three course wedding breakfast for 40 guests, an evening hog roast for 60 guests, chair covers, linens, games for the children, a DJ and an overnight stay in their bridal suite, which comes complete with four poster bed and a swing! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking as a photographer, your images will look equally beautiful whether you\u2019re sipping Champagne on the battlements of an ancient castle, enjoying Prosecco within the beautiful garden backdrop of a county hotel or strolling hand in hand along narrow, wild flower fringed lanes with a backdrop of Cotswold cottages, the Cornish coastline or the Lake District.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWedding wish list budget – based on 50 guests<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Item to be paid for<\/strong><\/td>
Anticipated cost based on UK average costs in 2024<\/strong>
\u00a3<\/strong><\/td>
Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Wedding venue<\/td> 9000<\/td> This may be plus food and drink<\/td><\/tr> Church ceremony or Registrar<\/td> 600<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Marriage Licence<\/td> 35<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Two simple gold wedding bands<\/td> 400<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Bride & Groom outfits (incl alterations) and shoes<\/td> 2500<\/td> Very variable<\/td><\/tr> Hair and make up including trials<\/td> 700<\/td> Very variable<\/td><\/tr> Food<\/td> 4000<\/td> @ \u00a380 per person<\/td><\/tr> Beverages<\/td> 1500<\/td> @ \u00a330 per person<\/td><\/tr> Transport<\/td> 200<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Cake<\/td> 300<\/td> Depending on size and layers<\/td><\/tr> Flowers and other room decor<\/td> 500<\/td> Very variable<\/td><\/tr> Photographer<\/td> 1700<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Videographer<\/td> 1500<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Wedding favours and gifts to special people<\/td> 400<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Hire of furniture, table linen, crockery, cutlery etc.<\/td> 500<\/td> Depending on the venue<\/td><\/tr> Confetti<\/td> 70<\/td> Biodegradable flower petals<\/td><\/tr> Music and other entertainment<\/td> 1500<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Overnight accommodation for bride and groom<\/td> 200<\/td> Possibly at the venue or nearby<\/td><\/tr> Wedding stationery and postage<\/td> 400<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Wedding insurance<\/td> 150<\/td> Varies according to the overall cost of the wedding<\/td><\/tr> Honeymoon<\/td> 4000<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> GRAND TOTAL<\/td> \u00a329,655<\/td> Furniture\/tableware hire has been deducted<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Wedding budget – revised – based on 50 guests<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Item to be paid for<\/strong><\/td>
Anticipated adjusted<\/strong> cost<\/strong>\u00a3<\/strong><\/td>
Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>All inclusive venue hire<\/td> 5000<\/td> Some venues include food, beverage, some decorations and entertainment in their wedding packages, others don\u2019t.<\/td><\/tr> Church or Register Office service<\/td> 600<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Marriage licence<\/td> 35<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Two simple gold wedding bands<\/td> 400<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Bride & Groom outfits (incl alterations) and shoes<\/td> 1500<\/td> Groom – hire or buy off the pegBride – bridal outlet purchase<\/td><\/tr> Hair and make up including trials<\/td> 0<\/td> DIY or a friend<\/td><\/tr> Transport<\/td> 0<\/td> DIY<\/td><\/tr> Cake<\/td> 100<\/td> M&S two tier naked cake + decoration<\/td><\/tr> Flowers and other room decor<\/td> 300<\/td> 10 x M&S bouquets<\/td><\/tr> Photographer<\/td> 750<\/td> Five hours from Angela Fitch Photography<\/td><\/tr> Videographer<\/td> 0<\/td> Complimentary ceremony video from Angela Fitch Photgraphy<\/td><\/tr> Wedding favours and gifts to special people<\/td> 250<\/td> Forget the wedding favours, nobody will notice!<\/td><\/tr> Confetti<\/td> 0<\/td> DIY – easy! Check out our blog<\/td><\/tr> Overnight accommodation for the bride and groom<\/td> 200<\/td> Local hotel or Airbnb<\/td><\/tr> Wedding stationery and postage<\/td> 100<\/td> Use Canva and DIY print, hand deliver wherever possible<\/td><\/tr> Wedding insurance<\/td> 150<\/td> Variable according to the cost of the wedding<\/td><\/tr> Honeymoon<\/td> 4000<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> GRAND TOTAL<\/td> \u00a313,385<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Wedding budget for a something a little less complex – based on 50 guests<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Item to be paid for<\/strong><\/td> Anticipated cost<\/strong><\/td> Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Venue<\/td> 500<\/td> Choose a nice village hall in a pretty village<\/td><\/tr> Church or Register Office service<\/td> 600<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Marriage License<\/td> 35<\/td> Essential cost<\/td><\/tr> Two simple gold wedding bands<\/td> 400<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Bride and groom wedding outfits incl. alterations and shoes<\/td> 1500<\/td> Variable<\/td><\/tr> Hair and makeup<\/td> 0<\/td> DIY or a friend<\/td><\/tr> Food – for a tasty buffet or hog roast<\/td> 2500<\/td> Using an outside caterer<\/td><\/tr> Beverages<\/td> 500<\/td> Prosecco toast, table wine, beer and soft drinks<\/td><\/tr> Transport<\/td> 0<\/td> Ask a friend or walk if possible<\/td><\/tr> Cake<\/td> 100<\/td> M&S \u2018naked cake\u2019 + decoration<\/td><\/tr> Flowers and room decor<\/td> 100<\/td> Garden and wild flowers + a few shop bought statement blooms<\/td><\/tr> Photographer<\/td> 500<\/td> Three hour \u2018Essential Package\u2019 from Angela Fitch Photography<\/td><\/tr> Videographer<\/td> 0<\/td> Complimentary video of your ceremony from Angela Fitch Photography<\/td><\/tr> Wedding favours and gifts to special people<\/td> 200<\/td> Skip the wedding favours and five to only the mothers & bridesmaids<\/td><\/tr> Confetti<\/td> 0<\/td> DIY – check out our blog!<\/td><\/tr> Overnight accommodation for the bride and groom<\/td> 200<\/td> Nice to treat yourselves after the big day!<\/td><\/tr> Wedding stationery and postage<\/td> 0<\/td> Go digital<\/td><\/tr> Wedding insurance<\/td> 150<\/td> Still worth the investment<\/td><\/tr> Honeymoon<\/td> 2000<\/td> Still something nice, but a little cheaper<\/td><\/tr> GRAND TOTAL<\/td> \u00a39,285<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n