Just Engaged? How to Set Your Wedding Budget in 6 Simple Steps

Photo: Kelsey Renae Photography

Somewhere between the ring and the first venue tour, the money conversation comes up. It isn’t the most romantic part of being engaged, but it’s the one that makes every other decision easier.

If you set your wedding budget before you start browsing, you’ll know what’s realistic, what to say yes to and what you can happily skip. Here’s how to do it in six simple steps.

Step 1: Have the Money Talk Over a Glass of Something

Sit down together, along with anyone who’s contributing. Agree on three things: how much you can each put in, whether family is helping, and when the money needs to be ready.

If family is chipping in, ask what their gift is for and whether it comes with any expectations. It’s much easier to know now than six months from now.

Step 2: Pick a Number You’ll Feel Good About Afterwards

Your budget isn’t the most you could possibly spend. It’s the amount you’ll be happy to have spent once you’re home, unpacked and looking through the photos.

Think about what else is coming up for you, like a house, travel or a honeymoon, and set your number with all of that in mind.

Step 3: Decide on Your Rough Guest Number

Here’s the biggest money hack in wedding planning: invite fewer people. Almost every cost grows with your guest count, from food and drinks to chairs, stationery and the size of the venue you need.

Write a rough list now, then sort it into must-haves and nice-to-haves. Trimming even one table of guests can free up room for something you care about more.

Step 4: Choose Your Top Three Priorities

Each of you picks the three things that matter most, then compare lists. A few common favourites:

• Food and drinks your guests will talk about

• Photos you’ll love for decades

• A great band or DJ to keep the dance floor full

• A long weekend with your favourite people

Spend generously on your top three and keep everything else simple. That’s how a budget starts to feel like a plan rather than a list of rules.

Photo: Kelsey Renae Photography

Step 5: Let Your Venue Do Some of the Work

Your venue choice affects much more of your budget than the hire fee. A blank space can mean paying for styling, furniture, lighting and a second location for the ceremony.

A venue that’s already lovely as it is means less to style, hire and organise. At Leonards Hill Estate, your ceremony and reception happen in one place, you can bring your own caterer or use in-house catering, and the property needs very little added to it. Our wedding FAQs cover how it all works.

Photo: Kelsey Renae Photography

Step 6: Add a Buffer and Keep One Tracker

Set aside a little extra for the things that pop up later, like alterations, postage, supplier travel or a last-minute idea you love.

Then keep every quote, deposit and due date in one shared spreadsheet. When it all lives in one place, you can both see where you’re at without the late-night maths.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you’re setting your wedding budget and starting to look at venues, we’d love to help.

Download our brochure to explore our latest offerings, then book a tour of Leonards Hill Estate to see the space in person and check availability for your date.