Top 7 Wedding Budget Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

When planning a wedding, the first thing on your mind is probably the wedding budget and how much you can, or are willing to spend on the wedding. The wedding budget is the driving force behind being able to have the wedding of your dreams and a lot of brides make crucial mistakes with the wedding budget. I’ve compiled a list of the top seven wedding budget mistakes brides make, and how to avoid them!

Not Setting a Realistic WeddingBudget

Mistake: Jumping into wedding planning without first understanding the total amount they can afford to spend.

Solution: Determine your overall budget early on and allocate funds to key categories based on your priorities.

You’ll want to connect with each other and talk through all the financial questions around the wedding. Questions like “How much are we wanting to spend on the wedding realistically?” “How much money do we each have saved to put toward the wedding?” “Are we willing to take out a loan to pay for the wedding?” “Do we have family willing to help pay for part or all of the wedding?”. Having these conversations can be hard, but are worth it in the long run when setting up a wedding budget.

Forgetting Hidden Costs

Mistake: Overlooking extra fees like taxes, gratuities, setup/delivery charges, alterations, or overtime fees.

Solution: Ask vendors for detailed breakdowns of their pricing to account for hidden fees in your initial planning.

This is a big one that couples overlook. Every state has different rules and regulations over how businesses have to charge for sales tax and other fees. This means that some vendors will have taxes to charge, delivery charges, or a percent of included gratuity built in. Make sure that you are talking with each one of your vendors, getting a detailed breakdown of what the quote contains, and doesn’t contain.

For me, I always give my couples the opportunity to purchase heirloom quality wedding albums, wall displays, and other printed product after the wedding day. Information about all of this, including pricing is communicated well in advance with each couple.

Underestimating Guest Count

Mistake: Setting a guest list without considering how it directly affects costs for catering, rentals, invitations, and more.

Solution: Finalize your guest list early and use it to accurately estimate per-person expenses.

According to a recent study done by thknot.com the average cost per guest for the couple was around $304 per person. Adding more people to the guest list sounds like a great idea on the surface because you’ll have more people to celebrate with. However the added cost might prohibit some acquaintances from making the guest list.

Overcommitting to DIY Projects

Mistake: Assuming DIYing will save money without considering the cost of materials, tools, or time.

Solution: Evaluate whether DIYing is truly cost-effective and focus on a few key projects instead of overwhelming yourself.

DIY is a great way to save a few dollars of the wedding budget, however money isn’t the only thing you need to consider for the budget. As the bride, you have to consider your time available to work on these DIY projects. When you overcommit to projects, you start setting yourself up to be stressed out the closer and closer you get to the wedding day. Spending the extra money to save your time and stress levels will be money well spent.

Blowing the Wedding Budget on One or Two Categories

Mistake: Spending excessively on the dress, venue, or decor, leaving little for other important expenses.

Solution: Rank your priorities (e.g., photography, entertainment, food) and distribute your budget accordingly.

I see too often couples making the mistake of dumping money into having custom made items that doesn’t really change the overall meaning and memories of the wedding day. Start by identifying your most important vendors and allocate a percentage of your budget to cover their costs. Once all the essential expenses are paid, use any remaining funds for custom items if your budget allows.

Not Building a Contingency Fund

Mistake: Allocating every penny without room for unexpected expenses, like weather-related changes or last-minute purchases.

Solution: Set aside 5–10% of your budget for surprises so you’re not caught off guard.

Having a budget reserve is one of the smartest things you can do when setting up a wedding budget. You’re planning a massive event for a day a year or more in the future. There is no way to predict what the weather will be like that day and trying to come up with an emergency plan the week or two before your wedding becomes significantly less stressful when you’ve got money in reserve for something like this.

Failing to Track Spending

Mistake: Losing track of expenses, which can lead to overspending or underestimating costs.

Solution: Use a wedding budget tracker or spreadsheet to log every expense and ensure you’re staying on target.

I know that budgeting isn’t everyone’s strength and keeping track of transactions and numbers sounds like a nightmare to some of you. But there are a ton of resources available out there that help you maintain and streamline this entire process. I’ve got a spreadsheet for you that helps you track each transaction, total amount spent, amount remaining, and so much more. Click here to grab your copy.

The wedding budget is something every wedding couple will have to face after they get engaged. Tackling the tough questions early with your fiancé will set you both up for success during the wedding planning season and get you started on the right foot when it comes to married life and the finances. Review these tips and make sure to take this advice to apply some of these principles to your wedding planning.

Pro Tip Bonus:

Hiring a wedding planner that includes handling the budget is 100% worth the investment so that you can focus on being present while planning the wedding. You’ll have more time, less stress, and more memories made because you weren’t so focused on managing and executing the wedding budget.