At the top of your list are the items which you’ve deemed most important, which means they are the last parts of your checklist to be trimmed. Even if you are within budget for your wedding, there are always ways to trim the budget.

As part of my wedding planning I made certain decisions which seemed to be beyond reach of a budget of $10,000. For instance my Calla Lily theme. One of the most expensive wedding flowers available, and out of season during my wedding in July. My dress was shipped from New York to the small town in Sweden where I live. We bought, not rented, my husband’s tuxedo, also from New York. We had an outdoor wedding in a remote area with a rented tent. We had nearly 55 guests and 45 of them from out of town. We rented cabins and a special hotel for my parents. We had flower centerpieces and table centerpieces. We had chair decorations and table decorations. Everything I wanted for my wedding. The point, as you may be wondering about now, is that you can manage the wedding of your dreams within your budget or even less. I got exactly what I wanted and so can you, if you’re willing to put in the work!

You can view my wedding pictures here for our wedding pictures.

Ceremony
Location fee

officiant fee

marriage license

musician’s fees

ring pillows

Reception
Reception Site

Food

Drinks

Rentals

Cake

Favors

Clothing
Dress

Headpiece/veil

lingerie

hosiery

shoes

accessories

jewelry

hair and makeup

Groom’s Tuxedo or Suit

shoes

ties/ashcrofts

cumberbuns

cuff links or studs

suspenders

Rings
His and her rings

engraving

Flowers
Ceremony

bride’s bouquet

maid-of-honor

bridesmaid bouquets

corsages

boutonnières

centerpieces

flower-girl basket

Music
Ceremony Musicians

Band and/or DJ

cocktail hour musicians

sound system rental

Photography
Photographer

Videographer

albums

additional prints

disposable cameras

Transportation
Transportation for wedding party.

Stationery
Invitations

response cards

thank you notes

postage

calligraphy

guest book

Gifts
Bridesmaid

groomsmen

parents

giftsfor out-of-town guests.

Extra costs:

Before/during wedding:

Flowers for flower girl baskets

Wedding night hotel suite

Tips for staff at hotel

room service

Rehearsal dinner if not paid for by family

Extra clothes for reception or after reception

taxis, if not driving, to and from venues

Honeymoon

Hotel suite

Flights

Food on flights or in airports

Taxi to hotel/s

Food costs (3 meals a day and snacks)

Alcohol

hotels the night before

Tips for hotels, drivers, maids

Taxis

Special outings (ex diving school, horseback riding, musicals etc)