Trying to draw up your wedding budget, but don’t know where to start?
Why not ask your parents if they are willing to contribute anything before you start stressing about how you are going to afford your dream wedding day?

As a rough budget, use the following figures to work out how much of your total budget should be used up by each item cost:

Attire:                                                                                   10% of total budget
Decor:                                                                                   10% of total budget
Photographer / Videographer / DJ:                        20% of total budget
Reception (including venue hire and menu):       50% of total budget
Stationery:                                                                          4% of total budget
Other (including transport, hair & make-up)        6% of total budget

Some pointers to help you stick to your wedding budget:

• Don’t invite friends & family who you haven’t seen in ages, just because your family members say you should
• Consider the time of the year that you would like to get married – normally Winter is the cheapest time of the year to get married.
• Consider the type of flowers that you would prefer, if these are not in season – they will be expensive!
• Select a venue that is negotiable on their menus – that way you can try bring the cost per head down
• Find out exactly what your preferred venue hire fee includes – they may exclude linen, decor etc and so might actually work out more expensive than a venue with a higher venue hire charge that includes these items
• Consider the location of your venue – delivery costs for your flowers, cake etc will add to your total budget. Also, you may have to pay for guest’s accommodation if the venue is too far from home.
• If you can’t afford it, then leave it out (if it’s an optional extra that is!) – it is after all YOUR special day, and if you don’t want a wedding cake, then whose to say you have to have one?!
• Using your wedding cake for your pre-reception snacks is a good way to save on costs (pre-reception snacks normally cost anything from R50 per person) – cut the cake before you have your photos taken, after the ceremony.
• If the wedding reception venue has a sound system already installed, then why not save on DJ costs and make your own CD’s of preferred music? That way you are guaranteed to hear all of the songs that you would like to dance to at your wedding.

Look our for next week’s article – Step 2 of 5 to Planning Your Wedding (Guest List)……………………..