Proper budgeting is the key to planning a great wedding and most people don’t know what the most expensive wedding costs even are. This is the reason why it is very important to identify what to prioritize, and what can eat up the budget. I created this article to educate you with the most expensive wedding costs to weddings.

Your Guest 

Yes you heard that right. Aside from the cost of each meal you’ll be paying for, there are other things that should be considered in your guest count. Alot of brides and grooms don’t realize that guests make a huge impact when it comes to being one of the most expensive wedding costs. The more people you invite the more budget you need. If you have the money saved up or both your parents are helping you out then this might not be a concern. However if you are running on a small budget and you both have a lot of loved ones and family members that you absolutely need to be there, then it will hurt your wallet. Let me putting this into a better perspective.

When it comes to having a table for six people you are looking at cost of table, forks, knives, spoons, cups, napkins, table linens, flower centerpieces, and candles. Typically this is charged per a table. For example, let’s say each table costs $300 and each table can hold 10 people. If you have 150 people coming you are looking at around 15 tables. That is $4,500 dollars right there, and don’t get me started on plus ones. If your guest count is high and your budget is low you will have to compensate with catering, rentals, and decor. The amount of guests you have will change your prices pretty drastically making it one of the reasons it is considered one of the most expensive wedding costs. So should you decide to add in 10 more people, that is a whole table itself and if you reduced 10 people that is a whole table subtracted that could save you money. 

Venue

Whatever venue you select, there are several advantages and disadvantages. The first thing you need to decide is what kind of venue you prefer. Do you want something outside for the ceremony and inside for the reception? Or do you want something inside for both occasions? After that you will need to prioritize venues that fit your guest count and then lastly focus on what location you are trying to have your wedding at.

Something that people might not be aware of is sometimes venues include meals so make sure you ask while you are looking. Otherwise you will need to outsource everything else. You may also discuss all the fees included with the venue. There is the possible of hidden fees / services that you aren’t aware of if you don’t ask about. So you’ll need a plan A through Z so you know what the differences are between each site.

Food and Beverage

This is also a one of the most expensive wedding cost when it comes to your budget. When you are deciding meals you need to keep in mind you need to feed your guests as well as your vendors. It is essential to arrange vendor lunches so that they do not miss anything during the wedding. 

Is your alcohol wedding going to be an open bar or a cash bar? Is it going to be a full-service bar, or will it only serve beer and wine? Alternatively, you may just offer the basics that the guest enjoys, such as trademark cocktails and other selections. I would recommend that you find a bartender who can serve you. Dessert is included in addition to the food and drinks. Some venues include the cake, while others do not. You may have a basic or minimalist cake for a low cost, but if you want a large one, it will cost you more. You may also have a dessert bar with cupcakes, macarons, cookies, and so forth.

So as you can see these three categories to your wedding make all the difference. These will be the largest items on your budget in any wedding you would spend the most money on. My advice would be to sit down and talk with your partner or whoever is paying for the wedding and set a budget. If you would like to learn more information on what steps you should do to plan your wedding, check out this article here.