50+ Sample Event Budgets

What Is an Event Budget?

Event budget refers to the financial forecast or overall picture of every expense or revenue expected in your event. So right from the planning process, you already consider your event’s budget from food or catering services, hotel accommodation, travel fare, party services and equipment rentals, and so much more. And event budgets are a crucial part of project plans to ensure they run successfully and financially.

Based on a report, 66% of event organizers expect budget cuts for the in-person, virtual, or hybrid events of 2021.

Budget Classifications of a Standard Event

Budgeting is divided into various categories. Indeed, most people allocate a big percentage of expenses for food and beverages. But in a standard event, food isn’t your only concern. There are many classifications as well. So in this segment, get introduced to the typical classifications of an event budget.

Food and Beverage: Of course, you can’t imagine a birthday, wedding, or any special celebration without a feast. Hence, expect to allocate a budget for food and catering services. And it should be realistic enough for the number of guests expected for the event.Audiovisual: In an event’s program, audiovisual services can be forgotten. This goes to the speakers, microphones, projector, generator—you name it. Also, you need to consider if they will be bought or rented.Labor: It is impossible to start a big event with only one person working on the entire thing. Hence, it is normal to require some help and it won’t always be for free. So be sure to prepare how much to pay for labor. This goes to who else is being hired to organize or manage the event.Entertainment: To make events fun, do include expenses for the entertainment factor. You could hire a band, a magician, or any other way to incorporate a mix of entertainment in your program.Space Rental: The event space rental or the venue itself can’t be forgotten. Remember that some locations cost more when you stay for long hours. Or maybe, your budget isn’t enough to get a big room. Thus, checking the venue is important for what to pay.Travel Fare: Maybe you have it all figured out on how to keep the event fun and memorable. But how much does it actually cost to get to that venue? It would be costly if the location seems inaccessible to your guests. Thus, strategize this part as well.Marketing: For events that need promotion and marketing services, add them into the budget sheet too. That way, you can help make the event known to the public and even dominate online.Registration: Some events require fees to register. It will serve as their entrance to the event. And that explains why registration can be a part of an event budget.

How to Make an Event Budget

An event budget is not that difficult when you know how to plan effectively. In fact, there are sample event budgets that help you plan and be guided on how event budgeting works smoothly. Choose your preferred template from the samples above, customize the content, and follow the rest of the steps below.

Step 1: Set Your Budgeting Goals

First of all, what is your event’s budgeting goal? You have to ensure those goals meet what you pay for in the end. So are you setting an event for a business conference, a project proposal, or maybe a birthday party? Finalize it. After that, you can begin creating every estimate of the expected expenses that follow.

Step 2: Consider Historial Data and Event Trends

Do your research by considering historical data and the latest event trends. Historical data would help you see what worked out great or not from precedents of events. Meanwhile, event trends help you discover the best strategic plans that help run events successfully in modern times. Use your data from the research to analyze what could work or not work for your next event soon.

Step 3: List and Classify Your Event Budget

As you begin listing all the expenses for the event, be sure to classify them accordingly. You are already guided on how to group them according to the budget classifications of a standard event, as discussed earlier. But you can personalize that according to your purpose. Make sure to be as detailed as possible so you won’t get mixed up with your ideas eventually.

Step 4: Update Your Event Budget Regularly

You will eventually use your event budget for reference and recordkeeping anytime. So be sure to prepare that document when you need to check if the right amount of money was estimated, write additional expenses to record, or change some details. Bear in mind that it may serve as your event’s lifeline. Therefore, a poorly made event budget leads to a possible drastic event.

FAQs

Why is the event budget important?

Event budget is important, particularly for event planners and organizers. That is because the budget sets the financial statement and parameters on where to spend money, how much to spend, how to divide them, and so much more. More so, budgeting helps keep track if more money is needed or has exceeded already.

What is an event cost?

An event cost refers to the price or value of attending a particular event. It highlights how much an event’s ticket or entrance fee is. And event costs are crucial to ensure events succeed and gather enough revenue in the end.

How much should you allocate for food and beverage?

In an event, it is recommended to allocate at least 33% of the budget for the food and beverage.

Thanks to event budgets, you can assess and analyze your whole financial performance of any event in no time. Consider your past, present, and future performances as an indicator of what to learn and improve from such events. And with a sample event budget as your event’s official budgeting tool, success is right around the corner. Download now!