Wedding Budget

Planning a wedding on a budget

With imagination and creativity, your wedding expenses do not have to spiral out of control. It is not the amount of money spent, but how you and your fiancé choose to express your love, before family and friends, that matters.

Today many couples, who have been out of school and in the job market for a while, finance their own Jewish wedding ceremony. This is especially true if it is a second wedding for either or both of them. If their parents will be paying for part or all of the wedding expenses, it is important that neither the bride nor the groom ask either set of parents to contribute more than they can afford.

The warm and welcoming atmosphere you create will be cherished and remembered not the dollars spent. Begin with open and honest conversations with your fiancé and both sets of parents, regarding the amount they are willing to contribute, before planning your Jewish wedding ceremony.

The following guidelines can be used as a starting point to discuss your wedding budget. None of these items are cut in stone.

Wedding Budget Plan

The Bride and her family

Jewish Wedding Planner- How to select and work with a wedding event planner

Wedding invitations - Wedding invitation wording

Engagement announcements - How to write an engagement announcement

Wedding dress - Wedding dress design

Wedding photographer - How to hire and work with a professional wedding photographer.

Music

Wedding flowers - Wedding flower ideas

Wedding reception - Jewish wedding customs and traditions

Gifts for attendants

Groom's ring - Jewish wedding ring

Groom and his family

Engagement ring and wedding band - How to shop for and select engagment rings and wedding bands

Tux

Gifts for attendants

State marriage license

Rabbi's fee - Officiates wedding ceremony

Honeymoon - How to plan a romantic honeymoon getaway

Rehearsal dinner

In some cases the groom's family pays for the alcohol at the reception. Kosher wine is available if your guests keep a kosher diet.