If you are recently engaged, welcome to the world of wedding planning! Before you begin planning all the fun details, you must determine your budget. Be sure you have a clear understanding of a budget that is comfortable for you and your partner. If you've been saving for your wedding, how much do you currently have to allocate for your big day? Are parents or relatives offering to contribute? Also consider the cost of a honeymoon, if desired as well a what a down payment on a new home would be. The goal is to throw a lavish wedding without breaking the bank!

Keep in mind that your two biggest expenses are going to be your venue rental and catering/bar. On average, you can expect to spend 40% of your overall budget on these expenses. Keep in mind that some venues will offer their own in-house catering and bar services, but most require you to either use one of their preferred vendors who are familiar with the space or will give you free rein to hire one of your choice.

After taking into account the venue and catering/bar portion of your budget, what are you top three must-haves at your wedding? Is it to have a live band for an epic dance party? Is it to have lush florals and greenery draped throughout your venue? Is it to have fireworks at the end of your celebration? Take a moment to discuss this with your partner to see where you align and where you may need to compromise.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Hire a planner to help create and manage your budget! When you hire me as your planner, I will assist you in determining your budget and priorities. I will also put together an estimated budget to keep us aligned with how much you're able and willing to spend on each vendor.

I hope this was helpful and would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have as you search for the perfect wedding venue. Feel free to send me a message on my website's contact page to get in touch. Cheers!