How To Set a Wedding Budget That Works for You
One of the first questions couples ask me—sometimes even before they’ve locked in a venue or a date—is this:
“How much should we be spending on our wedding?”
It’s a completely valid question, and one that deserves an honest answer. Wedding budgets can quickly feel like a tangle of expectations, unknowns, and numbers pulled from the internet with no real context.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all number. But there is a way to approach your wedding budget that feels clear, personal, and aligned with what you actually care about.
Start With What Matters to You
The couples I tend to work with have a lot in common—not just aesthetically, but emotionally. They care about the experience. They want the day to feel connected and intentional, not performative or overdone. They’re often detail-oriented, and value quality over excess.
For most of them, the same few things come to the top of the priority list:
A delicious meal that brings people together
Good wine and great ‘booze’
Music that brings energy to the room, a band to get people on the dance floor
A day that flows naturally, with no awkward gaps or jarring moments
A cohesive design that makes sense from start to finish
The Framework I Use
Because these values show up again and again, I’ve developed a budgeting framework that acts as a flexible starting point for these couples. It’s not rigid, but it does offer a sense of structure.
We begin by mapping out the non-negotiables—what matters most to you—and build the rest of the budget around that. I use an adaptable percentage-based model that helps you visualise where your money is going, while leaving room for the unexpected.
This approach means you're not stuck with generic advice from a spreadsheet or article written for a totally different kind of wedding. Instead, your budget becomes a reflection of your values—not a list of "shoulds."
My Number One Piece of Advice?
Build in breathing room, I cannot emphasise this enough-ALWAYS have a contingency in your budget.
Even the most carefully planned weddings have small surprises—an upgrade you didn’t know you’d want, or a logistical detail that needs tweaking. Padding your budget with some flexibility (I recommend around 7-10%) will give you space to make those last-minute decisions without added stress.
It’s not about spending more—it’s about spending better, with confidence and clarity. Quality over excess every time.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
If wedding budgeting feels overwhelming, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not expected to have it all mapped out before you even begin planning.
This process is meant to be collaborative. It’s okay to have questions. It’s okay if you don’t know what flowers cost or how much to set aside for music. That’s where I come in.
I’m here to help you figure out what matters most to you as a couple, and then shape the budget around that—so you’re not cutting things you love or overspending on things that don’t reflect your story.
Let’s make sure your wedding day feels like yours—not just in how it looks, but in how it’s planned.
Photographer : Belles and Confetti, Florist: Elder & Wild , Stationery: Alex Hinton Design, Venue: Wildhive UK, Cake: Clare Ellen Studio, Videographer: Just Press Play Films