As you begin budgeting for your wedding, one of the first factors you'll need to look at is your guest list. The number of people can greatly affect several areas of your budget:
Food and Beverage: Most caterers offer per person pricing; the number of guests will also affect the number of waitstaff, bartenders, etc.
Flowers: More guests means more tables, which also means more centerpieces. Also the number of attendants in your wedding party will affect the number of bouquets and boutonnieres.
Rentals: As with flowers, more guests means more tablecloths and napkins. If you are renting chairs or chargers or other placing setting decor, those will all be based on the number of guests as well. (Hint: Always order a little over your final guest count.)
Paper Goods: As the guest count increases, so does the number of invitations, ceremony programs, menu cards, escort cards and other printed items.
Before finalizing your wedding budget, be sure you have a good idea of how many guests will actually attend the wedding. Be sure to ask your parents for their invite list too!
The graphic below illustrates how your guest count can affect the bottom line. Your First Coast Weddings Client Portal has a detailed budget spreadsheet to track the estimated and actual expenses for your wedding.
