1. Do a little research to get a reality check BEFORE setting your budget. You do not have to do exhaustive research but simply enquire about quotations from some Wedding Suppliers, by e-mail or by checking their websites. This should allow you to gauge just how elaborate or simple your Wedding can be because you will realize just how much Suppliers and products cost.

2. Set you maximum overall budget but be prepared to be go over budget by at least 10%.

3. According to what you have researched, prioritise which aspects of the Wedding are most important to you for example, the venue, reception, Bridalwear, flowers, photographer, videographer, music, stationery, favours, cake, hair and make-up, and honeymoon. The reception is almost always the most expensive part and can take up to more than 50% of the entire budget. The next most expensive item is usually dressing everyone in the Wedding Party, followed by the photography and live music costs.

4. It may be a difficult topic to broach but if parents are willing to help out, then it is important to decide who is going to pay for what early on in the planning to avoid any later misunderstandings or outstanding unpaid items.

5. Make a timeline - when budgeting you should not just think about the figures but think about the dates as well. Try to figure out when you will have money to pay for required reservation deposits so that you will be able to plan when you can make bookings. It makes sense to spread out your spending instead of paying for everything all at once. For some Wedding Suppliers being able to pay early might afford you a discount so do not be afraid to negotiate this with your Suppliers.

6. Start a Wedding account into which you can both pay a monthly sum by direct debit from your wages. You can then pay all deposits from this account, making it easier to keep track of spending. This account should also accumulate money on the months when there are no outgoings.

7. Once you have made a general budget then it is time to make decisions. Choose the dress, venue, caterer, band, photographer and everything else according to what you can accommodate with your budget. Do not be afraid to shop around to source the best quotation – you will be amazed at the extent to which companies differ in their Wedding packages.

8. If your budget is a bit tight you will usually have to choose between sacrificing some details or making your guest list a bit smaller. One option may be to move some of the guests to ‘evening only’ invites, thereby saving on the cost of the meal.

9. Try to keep a note of proposed and actual spending as you go along so that you know exactly where savings have been made and can tweak your budget accordingly.

10. If you choose to ignore everything else, then remember that there is one main rule when it comes to planning for your Wedding: budget and spend for the type of Wedding you can realistically afford and which will allow you to start off your married life together debt free!

To give you a better idea, the following average costs are based on a Wedding for 100 guests. Prices vary from Wedding to Wedding and some couples will have different priorities, but this should be a good starting point.

Wedding Item                                                         Approx Cost

Bride's Outfit (complete)                                              £1500
Bride and Bridesmaids' Hair & Beauty                          £150
Bridesmaids' Outfits                                                    £500
Mens' Outfits                                                              £550
Wedding Rings                                                           £500
Flowers (bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony, etc.)           £700
Stationery                                                                  £700
Civil / Church Fees                                                     £200
Transport                                                                   £500
Venue / Marquee Hire                                                 £800
Wedding Reception (Day & Evening)                            £3500
Reception Decorations (Favours, Table Decoration)       £500
Drinks                                                                       £750
Photography & Videography                                        £1500
Wedding Cake                                                           £400
Entertainment                                                            £1000
Honeymoon                                                               £1900
Insurance                                                                  £50
Other Expenses                                                         £400

Total                                                                         £16100