You have thousands of pins on your Pinterest board and ideas saved from Instagram or TikTok, you’ve saved pictures from magazines (if you’re old school like me), and you can’t wait to start the planning process. You’ve thought about the music, the food, your attire, the decor, and so much more. And if you haven’t already, you will likely soon have a conversation with your partner and maybe even family and friends about the B word …. BUDGET.
Your wedding day is probably the largest and most elaborate event you have planned to date. There can be a tremendous amount of details and vendors to put together to make this one day happen, and the reality is it all has to cost something. And can add up very quickly!
The B Word
Before we go any further, I want to talk a little bit about that B word that gets everybody all worked up. Budget is not a dirty word. There are no good budgets or bad budgets. A budget is simply the amount of money you have to spend. But, a budget can be unrealistic.
One of the most most helpful things I have ever heard regarding budget is:
Sometimes the budget we have in mind is not the budget that will get us the results we want.
It’s important to set a realistic budget before you start committing to the details to ensure you are comfortable later down the line and don’t end up “wedding broke.” It’s also important to do your research and make sure that the things you are envisioning are achievable with the budget that you have. (This is where having a wedding planner who is a seasoned pro and familiar with the wedding market on your vendor team comes in handy!)
Before You Budget
Before we get to the nitty-gritty and break down these expenses to start building your budget, I want you to have these conversations questions with your partner and anyone else contributing to your big day.
What are your top 3 priorities for the wedding day and what are any non-negotiables?
Knowing your priorities and any non-negotiables can help you better distribute your budget knowing you may want to spend a little more in specific areas.
Who is contributing financially and what are they covering?
As tradition has it, typically one partner (or their family) is “responsible” for paying a majority of the wedding expenses, while the other partner may pay for things like the officiant, the rehearsal dinner, and the marriage license. These traditional rules have pretty much gone by the wayside today, so it’s extremely important to make sure everyone involved is on the same page about who and what will be included in the budget. Discuss with all parties financially involved what this looks like, what you are including in your overall wedding budget, and who is responsible for each item.
Additionally, I tell nearlyweds to have a budget comfort zone rather than an exact budget number. This allows for flexibility and less stress as things shift and change throughout the planning process and those unexpected expenses pop up.
Once you’ve had those discussions, we can get to the breakdown by category.
So, what is a realistic budget in Pittsburgh?
This is one of those imfamous (and often annoying) “It depends…” answers. A lot of variables go into what makes up a total wedding cost: what your vision is for your wedding, how many guests you have, where in the greater-Pittsburgh area you are actually getting married and the list goes on and on. If you ask Google how much the average Pittsburgh wedding costs, you’ll see answers ranging from a little over $20,000 to almost $30,000 depending on the source and the date the numbers were collected, but that is a pretty big range. And what does that actually mean when it comes to what the total budget will cover?
What’s more important to you in planning your budget is the percentage of the total cost you should allot for each budget category. This way you can plan based on the amount of money you have available, not the amount of money someone else thinks you should be spending on your wedding.
How Does A Budget Break Down Per Vendor Category?
I’ve broken down some of the most common and larger spending categories to consider when organizing your wedding budget.
I have also included some average and/or starting prices for the Pittsburgh area in each category for educational purposes only. These prices will not be representative of all budget price points or all vendor pricing. The actual amount spent in each category will vary based on what YOUR budget is and what your spending priorities are. But these estimates will help you know if you are way off base in estimating how far your budget will stretch in any given category.
The most important part to pay attention to is the percentage of the total budget for each category.
| Budget Category |
Percentage of Budget | Average Cost in Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Venue/Food and Beverage | 49% | Most plated meal packages start around $90/person. Most buffet meals start around $60/person. |
| Attire | 5% | Wedding dress: $2,600; Tux Rental: $300; or Suit Purchase: $600 |
| Beauty | 2% | Average for hair and makeup combined is around $375. |
| Cake | 2% | Most bakers start at a base cost of $6/person, and the recommendation is to order enough cake to feed 80% of your guests. |
| Favors | 2% | $3.50 per guest |
| Flowers/Decor | 8% | Average bridal bouquet cost - $225, wedding party bouquet cost - $90; Average boutonniere/corsage cost - $22; Average centerpiece cost: Low and Lush - $125 each, Tall: $250 each; Average Floral Installation: these vary greatly depending on elements involved but may average $3,000 per installation |
| Stationery |
2% | $4/set - save the date and invitation suite; $6/person - wedding day stationery (programs, menus, etc.); $130 for signage ( dependent on volume & complexity) |
| Entertaiment | 8% | Average cost of DJ - $1,300; Average cost of single acoustic musician - $250; Average cost of Band - $6,000 |
| Photo and Video | 10% | Photo -$2,100; Video - $1,750 |
| Transportation | 2% | Limo - $140 per hour, Guest Shuttles - $850 |
| Wedding Planner | 3% | Coordination - $1,750; Full-Service Planning - $7,500 |
| Rings | 2% | Bride’s is $2750, dependent on materials, stones, etc. Groom’s is $650 based on the same criteria. |
| Extra | 5% |
These are the main budget categories that nearly every wedding has, but what items are you not thinking about? Don’t worry, I’ve been doing this for a while and am going to share additional items most couples forget to include in their budget:
Getting ready space; you may need to pay for your room the night before to have access early the next morning or add extra hours onto your venue rental so you have space to do hair and makeup and get ready
Additional beauty needs prior to the wedding day: hair and makeup trials, waxing, tanning, skin treatment, etc. Or if you chose to pay for attendants beauty services, be sure to add those to that budget category total.
Ceremony sound equipment
Additional plates, napkins, and to-go containers for the Pittsburgh Cookie Table; also, if relatives aren’t providing all of the treats for the table, you may need to buy extras to supplement them
Shipping + postage for stationery; oversized envelopes, different shaped invitations, vintage stamps all play a part in adding to cost
Welcome bags and fees: some hotels charge an average of $5 per bag to hand out or deliver welcome gifts to your hotel guests
Late night/after hour charges for rental companies (and sometimes florists) to pick up and breakdown any items.
Vendor Travel Fees: many vendors have travel and fuel charges outside of a certain mileage of travel distance
Other Attire: Aside from your actual wedding clothes, you may be having a second outfit for the reception. And what about the rehearsal dinner, a post-wedding breakfast or brunch, engagement photos, a welcome party, wedding shower and bach party outfits? If you are buying new clothes (and having beauty treatments) for all of these they can really add up!
Creating a wedding budget is the foundation for a stress-free and financially responsible wedding planning process. An accurate budget allows you take control of their wedding planning journey and ensure that your wedding dreams, preferences, and unique style aligns with your financial realities.
We Have a Budget. Now what?
Communication is paramount throughout the budgeting process. Nearlyweds should openly discuss their financial expectations, allocate resources to the elements that matter most to them, and be willing to compromise on less critical aspects. Unexpected expenses may arise, but with a well-thought-out financial plan, you can navigate these challenges without sacrificing the essence of your special day. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the relationship but also ensures that everyone feels actively involved in the decision-making process.
As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your wedding, let your budget be a guiding force rather than a source of stress. By staying organized, staying true to your priorities, and being mindful of your financial constraints, you can create a memorable and joyous celebration that aligns with your vision while staying within your means. Cheers to a beautiful wedding and a budget that paves the way for a happily ever after.
What other questions do you have about creating a budget or the costs of weddings in Pittsburgh? Drop them in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them.
As always, Happy Planning!
