Congrats! You’re engaged and you and your partner are so excited.
While it may be tempting to start daydreaming and planning your big day we recommend you first start planning out your budget!
Your budget will set the parameters for how your wedding will be, which venue’s you’ll look at , if you’ll opt for silk or fresh flowers or if you’ll be able to book the amazing band you’ve seen at a friend’s wedding.
To save yourself any heartache and extra stress from all that daydreaming you need to have your wedding budget put in place.
But some of you may be wondering, how do I even begin setting a budget in the first place? Look no further!
We are sharing with you some helpful tips to help you create your wedding budget, stay within that budget and have a stress free planning experience.
Helpful tips below.
Sit down with those who are paying for the wedding
Whether that be parents or you and your partner, find some time to discuss who is willing to contribute and how much. Make sure everyone is on the same page with how much they are comfortable spending.
Do this early on! The reason why is simply because it lets you determine how much financial assistance you can expect from your family and you can factor that into your budget straight away.
Next, chat with your partner on how much you are each willing to contribute to your wedding fund. The total of these sums and any contributions from family is how much you are working with- your budget.
Talking about money is never fun but it definitely is important.
Know your Must- Haves
These are your non-negotiables that you must have for your wedding day. Things you have been dreaming of for the longest time.
Think about the type of wedding you want to have.
It should be said that a five star- black tie affair will cost more than a more casual laid back wedding.
The ambience and vibe of the particular style you want will definitely have an impact on how much you have to shell out to create it. That’s why this is important to know in the beginning stages.
Knowing the things that you and your partner are firm on and the exact vision you both have in mind will help you to create a list of things you’re willing to splurge on such as a dessert bar if you are a big foodie. And it will indicate what things you may need to scale back on that’s not a top priority for you, for example a live band.
Double Check your Guest List
The more guests you invite the more expensive your wedding will be with the cost of catering, venue size and even rentals adding up per person.
Cutting down your guest list will help cut down on your expenses and free up more funds that can go towards your must- haves as mentioned above.
Instead of 200 guests, consider sizing down to 100. An intimate wedding will mean less tables which means less chair rentals, centerpieces, meals and guest favors.
Contact Vendors to hear pricing
This is a great way to know directly from the main source how much certain things will cost.
By taking the time to meet with vendors you can get personalized quotes from them. This lets you know if what you had in mind is or isn’t possible with your budget . You can also then have time to create a new plan that will still allow you to have some of what you love but in a more budget friendly way.
Many vendors, especially florists, have great cost saving tips.
Plan for Surprises
There can always be a last minute add on that you may need or even a particular aspect you completely overlooked.
Having an emergency stash set aside for any unexpected costs can really help save you stress for scrambling for the extra costs.
Alterations, transportation costs, favors, gratuities are all small but costly things that couples often overlook.
Creating your perfect wedding day first starts with creating your budget.
Following the steps outlined above will definitely help you get started and set you up for success.You will start your planning with a realistic expectation that will allow you to create you and your partner’s vision for your big day!
