It’s so important to set your wedding budget before you start officially planning your big day. Hopefully you have already discussed the vision for your big day with your partner and set realistic wedding budget expectations by researching the area or consulting with your wedding planner. Read up on why it’s important to book your wedding planner first here!

Whether you’re just recently engaged or already immersed in planning, this is our basic rule of thumb: 40-50% of your budget will be going to the venue, food, and beverage. Big ticket items (location, catering, alcohol and other necessary rentals, such as tables, chairs and silverware) are going to take up the largest chunk of the budget. Some couples will go ahead and include the cake budget within this 50% realm as well.