YOUR WEDDING BUDGET IN ITALY
THE WEDDING BUDGET & SAVING TIPS
THE WEDDING BUDGET and THE REAL COST
Most of my couples deciding destination in Italy and in Sicily often know from where to start the wedding planning process. Couples call me to figure out the wedding design with Italian mood, affordable luxury venues, and high-end wedding vendors. Overall we work together to draw a “realistic” wedding budget. Then they realize they were not entirely aware of all items and costs, sure it is their first time.
Most of them try to build a wedding budget. Unfortunately, 80% of the budget prepared by the couple is 40% underestimated; based on average costs the expectation of the couples budget is around $23k …. but end up spending nearly $30k*
'Source weddingwire.com - USA report 2020'
As an expert international planner based in Italy, I work to draw out the “all budget items” and reject any easy-going approach.
Budget increases are frequent and reasons might be voluntary, by allocating funds to items couples fell in love with. Or worst and unpredictable because the couples have low awareness of the long list of things to do and have to deal with almost 15 items and vendors as well as several options for upgrades of the venue and special add-ons necessary for a high-end wedding outcome but find out later during planning journey.
The budget is, in most cases, underestimated, reality and experience teach. But do not desperate still possible to have a blast wedding in Italy on a budget. We may do it together at the beginning without later surprises.

THE WEDDING BUDGET... WHY MOSTLY UNDERESTIMATED?
As per international surveys held in the USA, UK, and Australia the couple’s “expected budget” is underestimated.
The “wedding package” approach is for all costs of the wedding, cost-effectively brought together into one. The wedding package is a selling proposal, a way to realize costs of essentials, but even here have extra costs are standard unless looking to a very low-cost event.
Choosing a wedding venue directly always has costs out of control due to extra adds-on necessary to buy, but unknown to the first experience of couples.
Getting the help of an international wedding planner locally is strongly recommended and the couple will see the planner expenses returned together with a high outcome.
Look at below survey and figures:
80% of the budget prepared by the couple is 40% underestimated. Based on average costs the Expectation of Couples budget is around $23k …. but end up spending nearly $30k
(Source weddingwire.com - USA Report 2020)
$21,236 is the average original wedding budget – $25,540 is what couples believe their final wedding cost will be – $31,368 is the final average wedding cost
(Source easywedding.com.au - Australia Report)
two thirds (65%) of couples go over budget
(Source bridebook.co.uk - UK report)
WEDDINGS AND BUDGET IN ITALY
MAJOR 3 LOADS OF A WEDDING BUDGET: VENUE - RECEPTION - GUEST COUNT
Compared to footing the bill for a lavish wedding, taking a simple wedding planning journey to the DIY is obviously a more economical but totally different outcome.
Dreamers, don’t despair. You can still have a luxury romantic wedding ceremony and reception without going overboard. You just need a budget and an skilled wedding planner!
Select a planner able to create a spreadsheet budget with Estimated, Modified, and Actual columns. Amounts under Estimated will be driven by planner experience by local costs; a proposal from vendors chosen will go in Modified, and the final amount you pay will go in Actual.
The international planner will help you to include also a line item called Extras to have a cushion for things you will likely forget or won’t anticipate in advance. You will need it throughout the planning process as incidental arise.
To think and compile your estimated budget you can also access the average cost for a wedding in Sicily and the 5 wedding costs breakdown.

WEDDING TIPS AND SAVINGS
WAYS TO SHARPEN YOUR WEDDING BUDGET SPENDING IN ITALY
SAVING TIPS FOR LUXURY BUDGET IN ITALY
GET A PLANNER TO SAFE YOUR BUDGET AND RESULT
One of the most questions is how to find ways to make great the event by applying wedding tips shaving the wedding budget. The wedding planner is not a magician but sure there are ‘insider’ secrets because of experience. A planner knows locations, wedding venues, and vendors.
Some things are going to cost what they cost and you have to decide if the item or service is really important to the vision. Compare prices but make vendor bids comparable that’s the first step to get a successful event and shave off money. There are lots of little sums and hidden costs that add up quickly to a big number. Hire a professional international planner, not a wedding venue trader and you will get back cost savings and the high-end event outcome.
PLANNER OR IN-HOUSE MANAGER?
To arrange a wedding-beautiful in some amazing but raw venue space you may have to bring in tables, chairs, glassware, silverware, kitchen equipment for the caterer.
In such high-end venues, the outcome will be at the top of your wishes, you will not have a limit for guests’ number, music end time, and free on creating your style & design with special decors. Take a skilled wedding planner to match your budget capacity before taking it this way.
You may choose venues with in-house services that have an in-house coordinator and their stuffing included, but be aware you need your wedding planner to waive later upgrades surprises and a copy and paste event.
Before you sign, estimate the total price of a wedding at that space versus one that includes all the basics as well as if it matches your luxury expected outcome.
Hire your independent wedding planner to make your own design and get a suitable return to your budget expenditure even in such an in-house solution.

WEDDING TIPS AND YOUR BUDGET
WEDDING PLANNER and VENUE MANAGER. together?
Venues offer their in-house wedding service and Brides and Grooms wonder why do we need an independent planner? You may save money, but wonder who does take care of all event details: your budget, wedding design, theme, décors, guest management, d-day coordination, and all wedding items?
Wedding Planner expense returns from budget control, from vendor bids negotiation, from the luxury event outcome and make you free from stress & extra sudden issues to plan your wedding day. There are differences between the wedding planner and venue manager services read more about the differences and use both services.
Wedding Planner cost returns in Relax and time to plan the fun parts of your wedding in Italy.
WEDDING SAVINGS IN SICILY
Say no to upgrades at your venue in advance
Once booked venue, couples sometimes add thousands of euros to their budget because later on, they find out that don’t like the design of the white-on-white tablecloths, for example. Or they can’t stand the chairs provided for the ceremony.
Reality check: as a beginner, no Brides and Grooms will ever be looking closely at the linens or chairs or initial or further details before signing the venue contract.
Be prepared for surprises or save money from your budget booking in advance an independent international wedding planner locally.
A good wedding planner can make a big difference when it comes to planning your wedding day. After all, you can rest assured that your party will run smoothly when you have professionals who will take care of all the important details. Hire a wedding planner and avoid costly mistakes! Save 10-15% of your total budget to cover the cost of a wedding planner and make sure your wedding is done well. Thanks to a wedding planner you can save even more thanks to discounts with suppliers and price negotiations.
Couples without planners are one-way clients, think about it.

GENERAL WEDDING SAVING TIPS
GO OFF SEASON PEAK
CHOOSE THE DATE ASAP
Choose a day in a week or a month off-peak of high events demand. Get a recommendation from the local international wedding event planner.
PLAN EVENT IN TIME
DECIDE IN TIME
Shave costs and get more, Arrange in advance your event. Negotiation is a lot more difficult when vendors know you are in a time crunch or vendors are already overbooked
HOST THE CEREMONY
IN-HOUSE SERVICES
Ceremony and reception in the same place. Doing so may save money on venue set-up, vendors as well as guest transportations
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