You MUST Know your Vendor Budgets when planning to avoid STRESS

💸 Stop Saying “Yes” to Every Vendor Invoice (Before You Know Your Budget!)

💍 Let’s Talk About Wedding Budgets (and Why They Matter More Than You Think)

It’s one of the easiest traps to fall into — saying yes to every vendor you love before you’ve actually mapped out your full wedding budget.

It starts small: a little splurge here, an upgrade there… and before you know it, your spending has snowballed. Suddenly, you’re facing two stressful choices:

1. Invest more money than you originally planned, or

2. Go without things you really wanted because the funds have run dry.

Neither of these outcomes feel good — and the truth is, this kind of financial stress is completely avoidable with the right plan in place.

🧾 Know Before You Go: What Your Budget Actually Covers

Before booking a single vendor, take the time to understand where your biggest expenses will fall.

Did you know that, on average, 42% of your total wedding budget will be spent on just three key vendors?

Here’s the breakdown:
❌ Venue (including food, drinks & venue hire): 30%
❌ Photography: 6%
❌ Videography: 6%

Let’s look at a quick example.

If your total wedding budget is $70,000, then your ideal allocations would look like this:
✅ Venue — $21,000
✅ Photography — $4,200
✅ Videography — $4,200

That’s already $29,400 accounted for — and we haven’t even added styling, florals, entertainment, attire, stationery, or celebrant fees yet.

✨ The Smartest Step You Can Take

Grab a notebook (or spreadsheet) and list every vendor or element you’d love to include — from florals and furniture to celebrants and sound systems. Then assign a rough percentage or dollar value to each.

Once you’ve mapped this out, you’ll instantly see where your priorities lie — and where you might want to adjust, upgrade, or simplify.

This approach gives you clarity and confidence when reviewing quotes, signing contracts, and making creative decisions. You’ll know exactly what you can afford — and what’s worth stretching for.

💡 Our Golden Rule

Your budget isn’t about restriction — it’s about direction.

Knowing your numbers means you can say yes with intention and excitement — not panic and pressure. It also helps your planner and vendors craft something that feels authentic, balanced, and achievable for you both.

💬 Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re ready to feel organised, empowered, and financially confident about your wedding planning journey, join The Collective — our exclusive community designed to help couples plan with ease, insight, and support.

Inside, we share practical budget breakdowns, insider vendor tips, and real examples from couples who nailed their planning process (without overspending or losing the magic).

📩 Email: hello@forsterweddings.au
We love all things weddings — and we’d love to help you love the planning process just as much as the big day itself. 😍

Planning your own dream wedding? 💍✨ The Forster Wedding Collective digital directory has curated a list of the best local vendors to bring your vision to life. From florists to stylists, find trusted experts who can help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Read more expert tips on the website.

Want to know more 📧 us!
hello@forsterweddings.au

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