Budget Checklist

While you may have dreamed of the perfect wedding since childhood, it shouldn’t be an event you need to
mortgage the family farm for. A wedding is an important milestone, so to keep to your budget, you will need to track every penny. Remember, the perfect wedding shouldn’t be about how much money you spend, but how you spend it.

expenses estimated actual

bridal attire   

Wedding gown

Headpiece and veil    

Shoes   

Jewelry    

Groom’s formalwear   

Groom’s shoes    

Going-away ensembles    

Attire for other wedding events

(showers, rehearsal dinner, etc.) 

Bride’s ring   

Groom’s ring    

Beauty costs (hair, nails, makeup)    

Gown preservation

ceremony/reception    

Officiant’s fee    

Site usage fee    

Musicians       

Awning/aisle carpet rental    

Reception location rental 

Food    

Wine, liquor    

Champagne    

Waiters    

Wedding cake    

Groom’s cake    

Music    

Site decorations    

Gratuities    

Reception favors    

photography    

Engagement photo    

Bridal portrait    

Wedding day    

Album    

Videographer

stationery

Announcements

Invitations

Save-the-date cards

Personal cards & thank-you cards

Calligraphy

Postage    

Ceremony program 

Expenses Estimated Actual   

flowers    

Bride’s bouquet    

Bridesmaids’ bouquets    

Bride’s mother    

Groom’s mother    

Grandmothers    

Flower girls    

Boutonnieres    

Ceremony    

Reception    

gifts    

Bridesmaids    

Groomsmen    

Groom’s gift    

Bride’s gift    

Other

legalities    

Marriage license    

Health/physical/blood tests

Other

transportation/parking    

Limousines for bridal party    

Traffic officials at ceremony
and at reception, if necessary    

Valet parking    

Travel costs for ceremony
officiant, if necessary    

Travel costs if destination wedding

Other

miscellaneous    

Wedding planner fees    

Bridal luncheon    

Rehearsal dinner    

Trousseau    

Honeymoon costs    

Additional gratuities 

Additional taxes

Attendants’ accommodations    

Other   

Other

Other

TOTAL

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