Not sure how to get started planning your wedding budget? Did you know that your wedding venue costs will likely be 50% of your entire costs? It’s a good idea to get a handle on the estimated venue costs as you plan your overall budget. Here’s 6 easy steps to planning your wedding venue budget.
Step 1: Estimate your guest count – if you are inviting children, break that number out. 
Step 2: Are there set venue fees for the ceremony or reception location? These will need to be backed out of the budget.
Step 3: What type of bar and drinks will you have at the reception?
- No bar: $0 cost to you
- Cash bar: Guests pay for their drinks, $0 cost to you
- Hosted bar package: You host the bar costs – packages typically run for 3 hours.
- Choices for hosted bar include: Beer & Wine only, Full Bar, and Premium Bar, and prices vary.
Step 4: What are the service and taxes associated with the venue, food and beverage? Please note that these fees are typically more than 25%, and are levied on all food and beverage costs. 
Step 5: Time to see what’s left for food! Determine if you would prefer buffet or plated service, and note that costs will vary depending on the type of main course you determine. Also consider appetizers and dessert options (besides the wedding cake of course)!
Step 6: Make sure you know exactly what is included in your venue package. Below is a checklist of items that should be accounted for. (Psssst, our Venue Experts can often get perks and freebies for you that you wouldn’t be able to get on your own – be sure to contact us to help negotiate your contracts).
Make sure you know if these costs are included in your package:
- tables & chairs
- linens
- dance floor
- chair covers
- service staff (including bartenders)
- china & flatware
Other potential costs to be aware of:
- cake
- cake-cutting fees
- center pieces
- design package
- desserts
- floral
- lighting package
- special glassware or chargers
- upgraded chairs
- upgraded linens
Below is a link to our free wedding venue budget tool to help you estimate your wedding venue costs and help you understand how much you can spend on your wedding ceremony, wedding reception location, as well as beverage, bar and food costs. http://everafter.com/wedding-budget-calculator
Let’s get started planning your wedding!
