Perhaps the most dominating factor of wedding planning is the budget. All weddings require money, whether it is a quaint gathering where the only expense is the marriage license and a box of Duncan Hines or a more extravagant ceremony topped of with a $10,000 catered meal. One of the first things the bride-to-be should decide upon is how much money she is willing to spend and what she is willing to spend it on.
One of the best ways to set a budget is to put a ceiling on the amount of money you are willing to spend. After setting your maximum amount, make a list of all expenses and assign a dollar amount to each one. It is critical that every dollar has a name before any money is spent. By doing so, whoever is planning the wedding has a set amount of what they can spend on each item and it reduces the stress in the long run. An example of a well-planned budget is as follows:
Maximum Budget: $10,000
Venue: $2,000
Cake: $1,500
Flowers: $1,500
Dress: $1,500
Food for Ceremony: $1,000
Music: $500
Officiant: $100
Centerpieces: $900
Chairs: $300
Tables/Table cloths: $400
Disposable Plates/Cups/Cutlery: $200
Guest Favors: $100

Now apply this to your specific wedding with your budget. When you are finished, sit back and relax because you deserve it. You are officially now a bride with a budget!