3 Things That Affect Your Wedding Budget
Your budget is one of the first things that you will sit down and discuss when planning your wedding. It can also cause the most stress during the planning process. Below are 3 things that could affect your wedding budget.
1. Where you wed
Your wedding location will play a leading role in the creation of your budget. Venues that are situated in Chicago will generally charge more than smaller venues in the suburbs. Venues also have different packages and policies that you'll need to consider. For example, some venues might require you to use their vendors, some of which might not fit in with your budget. A lot of venues also have minimum catering requirements that may go beyond your guest list. It's important to look at average costs of areas and venues before you make a final decision on where you want to get married. Here are three of my favorite venues that fit different needs:
Meridian Banquets - Beautiful large banquet rooms for big weddings that want a grand and classic appearance.
The Homestead 1854 - Unique and intimate venue for smaller weddings (up to 100 guests).
Kuipers Farm - Perfect venue if you want those barn/rustic vibes for your wedding.
2. Time of the year
Wedding seasons make a big difference to costs. Planning to get married on a Saturday in the summer? Chances are you're going to end up paying a lot more for your wedding. Look at your budget and how it fits in with the venue and location you have in mind and whether you can move your wedding to another season or day of the week to save on costs. Vendors might also be able to offer you discounts for off-peak days and seasons. Early to mid-summer used to be the most popular time to get married, but over the recent years, there has been a shift to late summer or fall. Fall is my personal favorite since you can’t beat those fall colors!
3. number of guests
This is one area that can very easily get out of control. Your guests are going to take up a large portion of your budget so it pays to be sensible about who you're inviting. Most venues will charge you for everything from drinks and food to the chair your guest will be sitting on so think twice about inviting your aunt who you haven't seen in 5 years. Agree on how many guests you want to invite and stick to it.
Conclusion
If you want to stick to your wedding budget and not be in debt by the time you come back from your honeymoon, carefully plan your finances before you even begin planning your wedding. Working with a wedding planner would be an added bonus as they can help you find better prices and keep you on track financially. If you have any questions about the photography side or weddings in general, feel free to reach out to me - I’m happy to help!