How to Make a Wedding Budget With Your Family
Soon-to-be newlyweds and their parents should set clear expectations on a wedding budget.


These days, couples commonly finance their wedding with a combination of their own funds and contributions from both sides of the family. On average, parents contribute 51% of wedding costs, while couples cover the remaining 49%, according to a survey by The Knot, a wedding-planning website.
The expectations may be different depending on your own financial situation and your family’s cultural or socioeconomic background. But with the average cost of a wedding coming in at about $35,000, it’s not unreasonable to ask parents to pitch in — if they can afford it.
Make a wedding budget
Before you ask anyone for money, establish a budget. It should include all potential expenses, such as a venue fee, floral arrangements and non-floral decor, photography, stationery (invitations, programs and signage), transportation for guests between lodging and the venue, a day-of coordinator, a wedding officiant, music, cake, gifts for your wedding party, the bar, and dinner at the reception.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
To estimate these expenses, you’ll need to start with a guest count. “The guest list is the area where costs can really balloon,” says Jessica Bishop, founder of TheBudgetSavvyBride.com. Here, you can familiarize yourself with the typical cost of wedding services in your zip code. To create the most-accurate estimates, contact vendors you’d like to work with for quotes.
Discuss wedding budgets with your family
Once you’ve established your estimated expenses, consider asking your family to review them. This could be a good launching point for a discussion about whether they’d like to help and, if so, how much they’re willing to contribute. Come prepared with numbers and specific wishes.
If your family offers financial help before you have the chance to ask, you and your partner should discuss the offer before accepting it, Bishop says. Even if a family member insists there are no strings attached, the power of the purse could affect your plans.
For example, your parents might want to finance a big wedding although you would prefer something more intimate. You could ask your parents to help pay for a specific expense, such as the floral arrangements, the bar bill or the photographer.
Advice for parents on wedding budgets
If you want to contribute to your child’s wedding, familiarize yourself with potential costs before agreeing to any financial support. If you have credit card debt, car payments or other outstanding high-interest loans, you may not be in a position to make a financial contribution. You should also have three to six months’ worth of expenses set aside in an emergency fund before offering to cover any wedding costs.
Think about future financial obligations, too. If the bride or groom is not your only child and is the first to marry, your contribution to the wedding may set your other children’s expectations of how you’ll help with their own nuptials someday.
Finally, remember that it’s ultimately your child’s wedding, not yours. The goal is for your child to celebrate in the way that feels most authentic to them and for you to feel good about where your contribution is going.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Emma Patch joined Kiplinger in 2020. She previously interned for Kiplinger's Retirement Report and before that, for a boutique investment firm in New York City. She served as editor-at-large and features editor for Middlebury College's student newspaper, The Campus. She specializes in travel, student debt and a number of other personal finance topics. Born in London, Emma grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Washington, D.C.
-
Baby Boomers vs Gen X: Who Spends More?
Baby Boomers and Gen X are guilty of spending a lot of money. Here's a look at where their money goes.
-
Retire in Finland and Live the Nordic Dream
Here's how to retire in Finland as a US retiree. It's ideal for those who value natural beauty, low crime and good healthcare.
-
Baby Boomers vs Gen X: Who Spends More?
Baby Boomers and Gen X are guilty of spending a lot of money. Here's a look at where their money goes.
-
A Financial Expert's Tips for Lending Money to Family and Friends
What starts as a lifeline can turn into a minefield if the borrower ghosts the lender. Following these three steps can help you avoid family feuds over funds.
-
The 401(k) Mistake That Could Cost You Millions in Retirement Savings
Thinking about reducing your 401(K) contributions in the current market? Here are six reasons why you may want to reconsider.
-
I'm an Insurance Expert: Yes, You Need Life Insurance Even if the Kids Are Grown and the House Is Paid Off
Life insurance isn't about you. It's about providing for loved ones and covering expenses after you're gone. Here are five key reasons to have it.
-
7 Rules Frequent Flyers Swear By
From dodging long lines to avoiding bad coffee, these clever travel rules can help you save time, stay healthy and reduce stress every time you fly.
-
My Professional Advice: When It Comes to Money, You Do You
This is how embracing the 'letting others be' and 'learning to surrender' mindsets can improve your relationship with money.
-
Five Smart Moves for Retirement Healthcare: From HSAs to Medigap Policies
Unchecked health care costs in retirement could blow a hole in your savings. Here’s how to avoid that.
-
The High Price of Skipping Workers' Comp Insurance
Two labor and employment attorneys highlight the penalties (fines, reputation damage and even jail time) that small businesses risk if they opt not to carry workers' comp insurance.