Setting a Budget for your wedding

One of the most crucial steps in wedding planning is setting a budget and sticking to it. Weddings can be a significant investment, with the national average ranging between £20,000 and £25,000. A well-planned budget will help you prioritize your spending and avoid financial stress. Here’s how to create a realistic and manageable budget:

Determine Your Total Budget

Start by assessing your financial situation. Include contributions from family, savings, and any other sources. This figure will guide all your planning decisions.

Prioritise Your Spending

Identify the aspects of your wedding that matter most to you. Whether it’s a dream venue, show-stopping entertainment, or gourmet catering, allocate more of your budget to these priorities.

Divide your budget into categories:

Venue and Catering: Typically the largest expense, about 40%-50% of your budget.

Photography and Videography: Allocate 10%-15% for capturing memories.

Entertainment: Reserve 10%-12% for music, a magician, or other entertainment.

Attire: Set aside 8%-10% for wedding attire.

Decor and Flowers: Plan for 8%-10%.

Miscellaneous: Keep 5%-8% for invitations, favors, and transportation.

Set Aside a Contingency Fund

Unexpected expenses will arise—whether it’s last-minute decor changes or additional guest meals. Allocate around 5%-10% of your total budget as a safety net.

Track Your Spending

Use a budgeting tool or spreadsheet to monitor your expenses. Regularly update it to stay on track and avoid overspending.

They will not only welcome guests but introduce the leading elements of your day/event in a professional, structured way. For example, for a wedding, they will introduce the speakers/performers/guests etc. They will make sure everyone is co-ordinated, in the right place at the right time (i.e., ready for photographs, toasts, speeches). There is a lot more involved than one would initially imagine.

A good Emcee will enable the audience to feel part of the occasion as opposed to just spectating, exuding confidence without arrogance, with a commanding personality. They will be prepared for all eventualities and take the pressure and strain off the organisers so that everything runs smoothly.

So much more than a voice behind a microphone, an Emcee keeps the event flowing, on track, with all the players shining. They will explain house rules, protocol and procedures for everyone’s comfort and safety, keeping your audience engaged and happy. Whether you need hype or harmony an Emcee is the public face that will bring your event to life. Stage presence is crucial to make the audience feel connected as they are led through an event

Negotiate and Compare

Don’t hesitate to negotiate with vendors or seek multiple quotes. Sometimes a little research can yield significant savings without compromising quality.

Stay Realistic

It’s easy to get carried away with Pinterest-perfect visions, but remember to stay grounded. Prioritize joy over extravagance and focus on creating a day that feels authentically yours.

By setting a realistic budget and following these steps, you can confidently pl an a wedding that’s both magical and financially manageable

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The Magic is Back! Eddie Young is a Regional Finalist for The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) 2026!

By Eddie Young • October 12, 2025

WOW, Thank you

Rogue Wedding Suppliers

By Eddie Young • October 9, 2025

A Cautionary Tale for Couples and Creatives In the world of weddings where every moment is meant to shimmer with meaning, there’s a growing shadow that’s dimming the light for too many couples: the rogue supplier. Over the past few months, I and many fellow suppliers have noticed a troubling trend. Social media is flooded with heartbreaking posts from couples let down at the last minute. Photographers who ghost. DJs who vanish. Decor companies that promise the moon and deliver dust. These aren’t just logistical hiccups, they’re emotional gut-punches on what should be the most joyful day of someone’s life. When Trust Breaks, Magic Cracks A wedding isn’t just an event. It’s a tapestry of trust. Every supplier whether magician, florist, planner, or caterer is a thread in that weave. When one thread snaps, the whole fabric suffers. For couples, the impact is devastating: Sleepless nights wondering if the supplier will show. Scrambling for replacements days before the ceremony. Emotional fallout that lingers long after the confetti settles. For genuine suppliers, it’s infuriating. We pour our hearts into creating unforgettable experiences. Rogue operators not only hurt couples they erode trust in the entire industry. The Lure of the Cheap Price Let’s talk about the elephant in the room... PRICE. In a world of rising costs and endless Pinterest boards, it’s tempting to chase the cheapest quote. But here’s the truth cheap can be costly. Rogue suppliers often bait couples with bargain prices, only to disappear when it matters most. That “too good to be true” deal? It often is. Because behind every lowball quote, there’s usually: No contingency plan. No emotional investment. No accountability. Waiting for the next booking to charge more and cancell you Weddings aren’t just transactions they’re transformations. You’re not buying a service. You’re investing in a moment that will live in hearts forever. And that moment deserves suppliers who are emotionally present, professionally prepared, and passionately committed. Red Flags to Watch For If you're planning a wedding, here are some signs that a supplier might not be as reliable as they seem: Vague contracts or no paperwork at all. Poor communication or long response times. Overpromising without clear deliverables. No verifiable reviews or portfolio. Pressure tactics or last-minute payment demands. What Couples Deserve You deserve suppliers who: Show up with integrity, not just talent. Communicate clearly and consistently. Care about your emotional journey, not just the transaction. Collaborate with other vendors to create seamless magic. A Call to the Industry To my fellow suppliers. let’s raise the bar. Let’s be the kind of professionals who restore trust, not erode it. Let’s call out bad practice not with drama, but with dignity. Let’s support couples with transparency, empathy, and excellence. And to couples, ask questions. Read reviews. Meet supplier for Coffee (We love to hear about your plans) Trust your gut. The right supplier isn’t just skilled they’re emotionally invested in your joy. COMING SOON The.wed.collective is a coming to change the industry for couples and suppliers. NO its not just Another Wedding Directory. it revolutionary For Couples: No more endless scrolling. No more inbox spam. No more “recommended” suppliers who feel nothing like you. They match you with creatives who actually fit your vibe and your budget. Then? You manage everything through your own planning dashboard. Budgeting, bookings, payments, to-do’s consider your spreadsheet officially cancelled. It’s intuitive. It’s personal. It’s designed to keep the magic in, and the stress out. For Suppliers: No more list just anyone. This platform is curated for quality, not quantity. No flood of dead enquiries. No shouting into the void of endless listings. Just handpicked couples who already want your exact service. Plus? You get your own CRM to manage clients, track bookings, take payments, sync your calendar, and stay effortlessly organised. It’s giving booked, busy, and beautifully streamlined. The.wed.collective is a game changer for the whole industry check out The.Wed.Collective Thank you to Hayley Mason from Captcha photography for the inspiration Ready to make your next event magical? Let’s chat and see how Eddie Young Magic can turn your day into a masterpiece of wonder and delight. After all, who doesn’t need a little magic in their life, 365 days a year? I’m #MadeByDyslexia – expect curious ideas & curious spelling. Media Contact Eddie Young – Eddie Young Magic Email: Eddie@Eddieyoungmagic.co.uk Phone: 07 97 07 45 926 Website: www.eddieyoungmagic.co.uk

Mapping Magic: The Ultimate Wedding Venue

By Eddie Young • October 5, 2025

google weddng map for wedding venues

The Return of Wonder

By Eddie Young • October 4, 2025

Why Party Magician TikTok Is Rewriting the Rules of Connection and What It Means for Your Next Event Step into the rabbit hole of “Party Magician TikTok” and you’ll find more than just card tricks and vanishing doves. You’ll find grown adults screaming, jumping, and clutching their friends like they’ve just seen a ghost. You’ll find joy pure, unfiltered, childlike joy captured in shaky camera footage and captioned with things like “POV: You hired a magician for your 27th birthday.” It’s not just entertainment. It’s a renaissance. The Return of Wonder After years of passive scrolling and algorithm-fed content, people are rediscovering the thrill of live magic. Not the kind you watch from a distance, but the kind that happens inches from your face. The kind that makes you forget your phone exists. The kind that turns strangers into co-conspirators in awe. As magician Nadav Roet put it in a recent feature on Cosmopolitan.com, “Kids get to wonder all the time. At that age, we’re allowed to be in awe, but as adults, not so much.” That’s the power of a well-timed illusion it doesn’t just entertain, it unlocks something we thought we’d outgrown.