Creating a Wedding Plan to get the Most out of Your Budget

In 2018, The Knot reported that the average cost of a wedding nationwide is $33,931. While couples tend to budget well for their larger costs such as venue, catering and wedding dress, after adding things like wedding cake/dessert, alcohol, wedding favors and bridal party gifts, it can be easy to throw your budget out the window.

While you can certainly cut costs on wedding plans, knowing what to expect can help you prepare for these costs ahead of time to ensure that you get the most out of your wedding budget.

Make it a bonding experience Figuring out a budget and sticking to it is something you and your significant other will be doing for the rest of your life. Why not begin this practice now? Sit down and figure out what each of you are willing to contribute. Will you be receiving any help from family or friends? Factor this into your budget as well.

Remember that EVERYONE has a different number. Your budget may not be as big as your cousins’ budget, it may be bigger than your besties’ budget. That’s okay! The only thing that matters is that you and your SO feel comfortable with the budget you’ve set.

Wedding budgets vary and you can definitely cut costs by making some simple adjustments to your wedding planning. Once you and your SO have decided what the most important things are to you, everything else is negotiable. This doesn’t mean you have to cut them out altogether, however, splurging on something neither of you really care about simply doesn’t make sense. Here are a few ways you can curb your wedding costs: Trim down your guest list Opt for a smaller bridal party Consider ordering a smaller wedding cake to cut and have sheet cakes to feed your guests Book your wedding on a budget-friendly day (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) Choose a venue that will let you supply your own alcohol Opting for an outdoor or backyard wedding can also cut the cost of renting a wedding venue and can provide you and your guests a more intimate space. When it comes to serving dinner, a buffet-style dinner averages out to $27 per person and is significantly less as opposed to a plated dinner which is typically about $40 per person.

When evaluating your wedding budget, know that the good news is that on average, only 8% of your wedding budget goes to wedding flowers. Wedding flowers set the tone and ambiance for both your ceremony and the reception. There are also many ways you can use your florals! The bridal and bridesmaid bouquets can double as centerpieces at your reception. Your floral arch will frame your ceremony beautifully and will provide your guests with a beautiful backdrop in photos.

Additionally, your flowers are one of the few things that can be preserved from your wedding. We can help you transform your bouquet into a keepsake you can pass on to your children one day. Wedding planning and sticking to a budget may not be the most fun you and your SO will have but thankfully, it'll all be worth it in the end. You're about to marry your favorite person in the world so take a deep breath and enjoy the process.

Keep Blooming!