Just about every wedding magazine has a budget planner, but unless they apply to your vendors, your city and your wallet, there is usually no way the prices you see will apply to your wedding or your world. You realize that you can't get a bridal gown with all the accessories and alterations for $500 like line 42 subsection B of your free budget spreadsheet told you. Now what? If you're just beginning to plan and you have no idea what to expect to spend for a wedding in Kitchener/Waterloo area, this budget planner will be a lifesaver. Real vendor prices, who pays for what, and much more can be found here.

What do couples pay for weddings?

A low-range budget - what vendors commonly refer to as 'the shoestring budget' - is about $5000 for a ceremony and reception (not a small amount of money, despite the term, really!). A large budget would be upwards of $20,000 and go as high as $50,000 or more - a definite Hollywood-style wedding. An average wedding is somewhere in between, ringing in at about $10,000 - $15,000.

The most popular question is almost impossible to answer directly: How do we know where to start to determine our budget?

Even though there are a lot of things that determine the cost of a wedding, we suggest that you start is with the reception concept. The reception can often take up to 50% or more of your budget. To give you an idea, 150 people at for $35/plate at a reception hall = $5250 for reception hall and meal, all other details are extra such wine & champagne, bar, wedding cake, decor, and more. If you don't plan on going crazy with ultra photography packages and limo-buses, this should bring you in at around $10,000 - 12,000 for the finished product (very very rough estimate). Ceremonies are generally much less expensive because they are often in a church/chapel. Once a couple decides to hold their ceremony outdoors in a place different from that of the reception, however, then the cost gets greater with tent rentals and decor rentals, etc.

You really need to find out what you see as your perfect wedding and then tweak it until it works.

Your first realistic step is to find out how much money is available to you, whether you use it all or not. Make a "Best Guesstimate Chart" to get you an idea of what money you have, will receive, could finance, and could save.

Best Guesstimate Chart (example)

download Excel spreadsheet of this chart

Now just because your spreadsheet shows you that you could have $16,800 available to you over the next twelve months, doesn't mean you necessarily want to use it all on your wedding.

Weighing your options...

• Would you rather have a $10,000 wedding and a $6,800 honeymoon?

• Do you feel it is more responsible to save $6,000 for a down payment on a house for after the Wedding Day?

Also, remember that guests will no doubt be giving you money for gifts. Many couples receive thousands of dollars on their Wedding Day from family that wish to help them make their new start without financial burden.

When you do start planning your wedding and making financial commitments, be sure to aim a thousand or more dollars below what is available, so that you have emergency money or so that you can spring for something extra that catches your fancy along the way.

What types of prices can I expect for each of the different aspects of my wedding?

You're in luck! Check out the brand new Budgeter giving basic price ranges for absolutely everything! Keep in mind, none of the prices seen here are guaranteed, however they are based on the pricing coming from K-W wedding vendors and are completely subject to change. There may be less expensive vendors and more expensive vendors, depending on your needs and where you look, but this Budgeter gives you the best starting point you could hope to ask for! It's realistic, local, and will be your guideline for setting your Wedding Day stage. click for more...