How to Create a Wedding Budget for Atlanta, GA
(The prices used are typical of the prices in the North Georgia wedding market.)
Begin by determining your overall budget. Have an open conversation with your partner and anyone else contributing financially (such as family). This helps set realistic expectations from the start.
Knowing the typical costs of venues, photographers, catering, and other essentials in your area provides a good starting point. You’ll get a sense of where your money will go and avoid sticker shock later on.
List every major category and assign each a percentage of the budget based on what matters most. For instance, if you care more about the venue and food, allocate more to those categories and reduce in other areas.
Plan for extra cost, such as tips for vendors, transportation, alterations and last-minute items. Setting aside 5-10% of the budget for overages and last-minute incidentals.
Track expenses on a spreadsheet or budget app to monitor. If you run over in one category you can catch it early and adjust to another category.
Be ready to adjust, you may find that certain expenses exceed expectations or that you want to prioritize a particular element. As an example, your heart may be set on having a live band. A band will cost 3 or 4 times more than a DJ. You will need to increase your entertainment category and decide if you want to increase your budget or cut back in another category.
Here is a sample breakdown of a wedding budget by category with typical percentage allocations.
| Category | Percentage of Budget | Sample Cost for 100 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | 20% - 23% | $9,000 - $15,000 |
| Catering for 100 guests | 15% - 22% | $8,500 – $11,500 |
| Bar Services & Alcohol | 7% | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Photography/Videography | 9% - 11% | $3,500 - $8,500 |
| Attire and Accessories | 4% - 8% | $3,000 |
| Music/Entertainment | 4% - 12% | $1,500 - $10,000 |
| Flowers/Decor | 9% - 12% | $3,500 - $10,000 |
| Planner/Coordinator | 9% - 10% | $3,500 - $8,500 |
| Stationery | 1% - 2% | $1,000 |
| Other (Officiant, Licenses, Misc) | 1% - 2% | $1,000 |
| Transportation | 1% - 5% | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| Tips & Misc | 1% - 3% | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| TOTAL | $39,500 - $81,000 |
Note: Venue and Catering are often the biggest expenses and can consume half of your budget. Your guest count will play huge part in this expense. To save money check for pricing on off-season, Friday/Sunday or weekday dates.
We hope that you found this helpful. Follow us on FaceBook and Instagram @swanlakeoverlookga for more inspiration. Remember to shop locally owned wedding venues to find the expertise, dedication and the best customer service. Shout out to locally owned venue friends: Corner Stone Ranch Events , Degas House, and Spring Haus Farm