Definition: Any line item in your budget that generally won’t vary based on your guest count (such as photography or a DJ). Examples of variable expenses include things such as catering, rentals and flowers––those costs will go up or down based on your final guest count.
Practical Use + Tips: It is important to know what costs are fixed and which ones may change! That way you can estimate how much damage is done by adding guests last minute. Those variable expenses can change quickly based on your guest count and can end up taking you out of your budget. Once your vendors are booked and your budget is set, you can create a separate spreadsheet of variable expenses. Take that number, divided by your guest count, and then decide if you can afford to invite plus-ones!