The Essential Wedding Planning Series: How to Set a Budget & Define Your Vision

Planning a wedding is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many decisions to make. Whether you’re dreaming of an elegant country house wedding or a relaxed garden party, starting with a clear vision and a well-thought-out budget will set you up for success. These two elements form the foundation of your big day, helping you stay focused, reduce stress, and ensure your wedding reflects your style and priorities. Here’s how to get started.

(This blog is part of our ‘Essential Wedding’ series – a step-by-step guide to creating your dream wedding. Be sure to check out the rest of the series for expert tips and inspiration!)

Wedding planning starts with clear goals and a set budget

Define Your Wedding Vision & Priorities

Before diving into the details, take a step back and think about what kind of wedding truly reflects you as a couple. Consider these key questions:

• Do you picture a grand celebration or an intimate gathering?

• What elements are most important to you—venue, photography, décor, food, entertainment?

• Do you want a traditional wedding, or something more modern and unique?

• How do you want your guests to feel during and after your wedding?

• What personal touches or meaningful details would you love to include?

Having a clear vision will make decision-making easier and prevent distractions from trends or outside opinions that don’t align with your dream day.

Set a Realistic Wedding Budget

Your wedding budget is one of the most important (and sometimes trickiest) aspects of planning. Without one, costs can quickly spiral out of control. Here’s how to create a budget that works for you:

1. Figure Out Your Total Budget – Consider contributions from family, savings, and how much you’re comfortable spending.

2. Break It Down – Allocate your budget across key areas like venue, catering, attire, entertainment, and styling.

3. Factor in Hidden Costs – Don’t forget those sneaky extras like service charges, alterations, transport, and marriage license fees.

4. Prioritise What Matters – If stunning florals are a must but a live band isn’t, shift your budget accordingly to focus on what truly matters to you.

   
   

Use Mood Boards to Bring Your Wedding Ideas to Life

Having a clear vision is one thing, but bringing it to life visually makes all the difference. Mood boards are a fantastic tool to help organise your thoughts and communicate your ideas with suppliers. Here’s how to create one:

• Pinterest: Pin all your favourite wedding inspiration—dresses, table settings, colour palettes, décor—and identify recurring themes.

• Canva: Create a digital mood board to bring together all your chosen elements in one place.

• Physical Boards: Print out images and pin them to a board for an easy reference point when making decisions.

Regardless of which process works best for you, putting your ideas into one place will help keep you focused, ensures everything feels cohesive, and will ultimately make it easier to communicate your vision to suppliers.

Creating a mood board will keep you focused on what you truly love

Final Thoughts

Starting your wedding planning with a clear vision and a solid budget is the best way to keep things stress-free and enjoyable. Knowing what you want and where your money is going makes the entire process feel so much more manageable. Define your style, focus on what truly matters, and use tools like mood boards to bring your ideas together.

(Next up in our ‘Essential Wedding Planning’ series: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue – What to Consider Before You Book.)

If you’d like expert guidance to bring your vision to life, I’d love to help. At Scarlett Rose Events, our goal is to support you in creating a wedding that feels effortless, stylish, and truly reflects you both! Get in touch to chat about how we can make it happen.