How Do I Create a Wedding Budget and Stick to It?

Let’s be real — talking about money isn’t exactly the most exciting part of wedding planning. You’d much rather be tasting cake or trying on outfits, right? But setting a budget (and sticking to it) is the one thing that’ll save you from stress later down the line.

And the good news? It doesn’t have to feel scary. With a little structure, some honest chats with your partner, and a few insider tips from me (The Wedding Hand 👋), you can plan a wedding that feels amazing and stays within budget.

Step 1: Know What Weddings Actually Cost 💷

Here’s the reality check: weddings in the UK aren’t cheap. According to Hitched’s National Wedding Survey 2023, the average UK wedding cost around £20,700 — up from about £17,300 in 2021. Ouch.

Now, that’s an average, not a rule. In Manchester, trendy city-centre venues and chic industrial spaces can push prices higher, while in Cheshire, you’ll find everything from rustic barns to glamorous country estates (sometimes with a little more flexibility on costs).

👉 The important thing is this: don’t panic about the numbers. They’re just a guide, not a target.

Step 2: Work Out What You Can Afford ✍️

This is where you and your partner sit down, pour a glass of wine, and have “the chat.” Who’s contributing? Do you have savings? Can you comfortably set aside some cash each month before the big day? Add it all up and you’ve got your starting figure.

The Wedding Hand tip: I always remind couples that your budget should reflect you, not what everyone else is doing. We’ll work together to set realistic expectations so you don’t feel pressured into spending more than feels right.

Step 3: Break It Down into Bite-Sized Chunks 🎉

Big numbers feel scary. Breaking them down makes life easier. A common split looks like this:

• Venue & food: 40–45%

• Photography & video: 10%

• Entertainment (bands, DJs): 10%

• Flowers & décor: 10%

• Outfits & accessories: 10%

• Stationery: 2–3%

• Extras (favors, transport, etc.): 5–8%

My advice is always to put more money where you care the most. If your top priority is the smaller details for the guests, your stationary and favours budget will be higher. If it’s the venue décor… then the venue, flowers and décor costs will be higher. If it’s the entertainment… then the activities and band will likely be more expensive.

💡 Local insight: couples here in Manchester and Cheshire often want to invest in entertainment. Live bands are amazing at getting everyone dancing, and surprise singing waiters? I’ve seen them turn a dinner into a full-on party — trust me, worth every penny!

Evening entertainment of Fireworks in the Cheshire Countryside

Step 4: Set Up Your Wedding Fund 💰

This is where things get real. Once you’ve figured out how much you need, it’s time to actually put that money somewhere.

• Savings first, always. I’ve seen couples save £100–£200 a month over 18 months and cover the entire cost of their photography or even the band. Those little amounts add up quicker than you think.

• A dedicated account. Apps like Monzo or Chase are brilliant for this. You can set up “pots” just for your wedding, track spending, and it feels so much clearer than money floating around in your everyday account.

• Loans (if you need them). Some couples do take out a small loan to cover part of their wedding — and that’s okay, as long as you’re realistic about repayments. It’s about balance: don’t spend the next five years paying off one big day. I always recommend Money Saving Expert to get up to date information on the best loans.

The Wedding Hand support: we help couples get creative with their budgeting — from finding clever savings to negotiating with suppliers — so you can avoid stress and focus on celebrating.

Step 5: Track It (Without Losing Your Mind) 📊

Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a budget tracker app, or even good old pen and paper, make sure you’re tracking deposits, balances, and final payments. Pop reminders in your phone so no invoices sneak up on you.

The Wedding Hand support: I know numbers aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so I’ll happily help you set up a simple system and keep you accountable. No panic, no stress.

Here is a simple template for you to use on the blog, this isn’t quite what we use at The Wedding Hand, but is a simple version for you to easily track spending!

Step 6: Expect a Few Surprises 🕵️‍♀️

Wedding budgets love a cheeky surprise. Think alteration fees, supplier travel, or those last-minute extras you suddenly need. Keep 5–10% of your budget tucked away as a safety net. Future-you will thank past-you for it.

Why Having a Wedding Coordinator Helps 👋

Here’s the truth: budgeting is emotional. It’s not just maths, it’s family opinions, Pinterest dreams, and social pressure all rolled into one. That’s where I come in.

With The Wedding Hand, you get a calm, supportive coach in your corner. I’ll help you:

• Untangle tricky money chats with your partner or family.

• Balance your budget without losing sight of what matters.

• Liaise with suppliers so you’re not the “bad cop.”

• Keep everything on track so you can enjoy planning.

  
  

Final Thought ✨

Your wedding budget isn’t about restricting your dreams — it’s about making sure those dreams actually happen without sleepless nights. With a little clarity and support, you can enjoy planning as much as the day itself.

And if you’re a couple in Manchester or Cheshire looking for someone to help you cut the stress and focus on the fun? That’s exactly what I’m here for 💕

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Tips & Tricks

Once the budget tracker is set-up here are my top tips for keeping it useful:

1. Once you’ve got the wedding venue and food costs, amend the actual budget column as well as your quotes – you may want to do this for all things, but do bear in mind there may be additional last-minute costs.

2. Update the tracker at least once a month with your spending and quotes.

3. Note down the payment dates here as well, it will keep everything in one place so you don’t end up having a payment date spring up on you.

4. If things change, don’t panic, add and lose money where you need to, just keep balancing the budget column to meet your budget. I’ll do a later blog on what happens if you go over budget.

5. Get a wedding debit card, that way you have a bank account, with all your wedding spend in one place, you will know how much you have each month, and you will be able to update your budget really easily with just 10 minutes a month, since the spending is coming from one place. Money Saving Expert has great advice on the best cards!

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And that’s it, it’s actually quite fun, just make it your own and enjoy doing it. Tracking your budget will make your wedding planning less stressful.