Knowing what to expect is the best way to go into planning your wedding, especially when it comes to your budget. Here are some tips on what to expect, and some hard numbers to help you get a grasp on what you might end up spending.

- A good idea is to work in some “emergency funds” with your budget. This should be anything below 10%, and should give you some wiggle room in case the unforeseen happens to you. For example, if you lost more weight than you expected to since your last fitting, you may need to get your dress taken in one last time, as well as extra umbrellas if it rains on your big day. These are expenses you can plan for by having a general “extras” budget to keep you from going over.

- Get an idea of your reception costs. Considering this accounts for near half of your entire wedding budget, you need to get a good idea of how much you’ll need to dedicate here. From food, to the venue, you could spend near to one hundred dollars per guest. If you have 10 per table, and 10 tables… it can add up quickly. Cut down your guest list if you must.