The Big Two
Typically, the two most important factors in determining the cost of a wedding are the size of the guest list and the location. Begin the planning process by answering the following two questions:
How many guests will you invite? Since the reception often costs up to half of the final cost of the wedding, knowing the number of guests to plan for is crucial right from the beginning.
Where will the wedding and reception take place? Wedding and reception venues vary widely in price, so narrowing (or nailing down) your choices as soon as possible is essential for budgeting and planning.
During the months of planning, it's important to stick to a set number of guests and not let the guest list mushroom, because that will make your total expenses rise.
Alert
The size of the party and location of the wedding require the biggest part of your wedding budget and make a difference in how much money you have left over for other expenses, like your wedding gown or the photographer.
