Keep your wedding budget and planning on track with this definitive guide to all the things you may need to pay for and do...

 

The Wedding Essentials

  • Hire a wedding planner
  • Ceremony location
  • Reception venue
  • Guest list
  • Engagement photos
  • Register on wedding planner website (The Knot, mywedding, WeddingWire)
  • Set a wedding budget
  • Form a spending plan

Wedding Detail

Stationery

  • Save-the-date cards
  • Invitations
  • Map/direction cards
  • Reply cards
  • Ceremony cards
  • Postage
  • Newspaper announcement
  • Thank you notes
  • Rehearsal dinner invitations
  • Bachelor and Bridal party invitations
  • Wedding programs
  • Address labels

Apparel

  • Gown, veil, jewelry, accessories
  • Bridal shoes
  • Shoes for reception
  • Bridesmaid dresses
  • Groom's tux
  • Groomsmen tuxes
  • Pocket handkerchief
  • Cufflinks
  • Garters
  • Alterations
  • Children's apparel (flower girl, ring bearer)
  • Gown preservation
  • Dress for Rehearsal Dinner

Ceremony

  • Clergy/officiant
  • Location fee
  • Marriage license
  • Marriage certificate
  • Rehearsal arrangements
  • Hairdresser/makeup artist
  • Chair/pew rental
  • Chair/pew decorations
  • Ring bearer pillow
  • Unity candle
  • Ushers
  • Transportation
  • Rice/rose petals/bubbles

Flowers

  • Brides bouquet
  • Bridesmaids bouquets
  • Corsages
  • Boutonniere
  • Reception centerpieces
  • Pew/chair bows
  • Flower girls' flowers

Reception

  • Venue
  • Deposit
  • Caterer
  • Musician/DJ/Band
  • Wedding cake
  • Table decorations
  • Other decorations
  • Table linens
  • Chair covers
  • Parking
  • Gratuities
  • Limousine
  • Child-care
  • Guest-lodging

Gifts & Favors

  • Gift for fiance(e)
  • Guest favors
  • Bridesmaid gifts
  • Groomsmen gifts
  • Hotel Guest Welcome Bags

Photography

  • Wedding party portraits
  • Reception
  • Ceremony
  • Videography
  • Family portraits

Honeymoon

  • Airfare
  • Accommodations
  • Rental car
  • Entertainment
  • Spending money

And Don't Forget

  • Social Security card
  • Driver's license
  • Order new checks, credit, debit and ATM cards
  • Designate beneficiary on bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies
  • Update name with alumni associations, professional memberships, subscriptions, social media accounts, and place of employment
  • Make financial plans, budgets, and goals
  • Create a will

Education Articles

View All Education Articles

  • Financial Strategies for Raising Children

    Although raising kids is unlikely to be a low-cost lifestyle, you can use smart financial strategies to reduce expenses and make your budget more manageable. Consider these helpful ideas for your family budget. Know your family’s finances, look for cost savings and tax relief, and plan your budget – together!

    african american family hugging

  • Financial Journey from Birth to Adulthood

    At any age, you and your family can come to us for support with your financial goals. That’s why we’re committed to not only serving you with savings, loans, and access to your accounts, but also educating and empowering you at all of life’s stages. With our savings opportunities, free financial wellness resources, and programs from youth to adulthood, you can count on Visions to help build your financial understanding and confidence at all stages in your financial journey.

    Image of three kids jumping with a blue sky background

  • The Groundwork for Financial Wellness

    Most children look to their parents or guardians for cash, but rarely ask about finances. Be sure to have important financial conversations with the young people in your household, whether that’s sitting at the dinner table or during a road trip. It’ll help to encourage a lifetime of financial wellness.

    mother and daughter with piggy bank