You are almost there. Your special day is coming up and of course you need to do a little accounting. Otherwise you end up asking, where did all the money go?

Generally, no matter what country you live in, the biggest expense is the reception. It normally accounts for about 48% of your total expenses. Let's face it you are feeding a lot of people. The event is being catered by a chef and you are also paying for the cost of the people serving behind the bar and waiting on the tables. Not to mention that you're having a multi-course meal. This can really raise the costs.

The next in rank is the cost of your photos and video. A really good, professional photographer is expensive. They are well paid because of their skill. After all they are trying to capture a once in a lifetime event in a way that looks alive long after your nuptials are over.

Then comes the cost of your gown. It is usually a dress that you will only wear once but it is made from costly materials and is usually, at some point handcrafted. It usually comes up to about 10% of the total expense for your wedding.

The flowers and decor takes about 8% of the bill as does the music and entertainment. The skills of the artisans behind these wedding necessities are invaluable.

The remainder of your bill is split between the cost of your wedding rings, transportation, the invitations and the actual ceremony in varying amounts. Let's not forget the taxes you may have had to pay as well as your bride and groom gifts. This accounts for about 19% of the bill.

The funny thing is, no matter what the size of your budget, you will normally find that these figures are close.