Today's wedding tip focuses on
Whether you are planning a $1,000,000, a $100,000 or a $10,000 wedding, a budget is a great guide for making wedding planning easier. When most brides here of a budget, there's a little stress buzzer that goes off in her head...usually, a budget means a limit; however, a budget really is a guide of how and where to spend money for the entire event.
 |
| magnetstreetweddings.com |
10 Tips to help you set your Wedding Budget:
1. Set a dollar figure up front. It is very important to know what you are working with from the beginning. Having a number will prevent stress, anxiety and unneeded drama later on in planning. Also, think about who will pay for what. Is the Father of the Bride paying for everything? Is groom's family paying for a portion? Are the bride & groom pitching in?
2. Open a bank account just for wedding expenses. Opening a saving or checking account makes keeping track of wedding money much easier. If someone wants to pay for a portion of the wedding, have them write a check into that account. Trust me...you will be glad you can account for funds very easily a year later. Also, when the wedding is over, that account becomes an account for a different purpose (i.e. college savings fund)
3. Allocate monies to each part of the wedding...consider your priorities. I believe this is very important! Set up what parts of the wedding are most important. For example, if you know you want a $10,000 wedding dress and nothing else will do...then you may have to limit your expenses somewhere else in your budget. Setting priorities will keep you on track once you beginning setting the details of the day as well.
 |
| www.ruffledblog.com |
4. Allocate for misc. items. This seems to be the place where many brides get in trouble. They've planned for the cake, flowers, band, dress, venue....but they left out things like favors, glow sticks, menus etc. Make sure you have a fund specifically for those small
5. Shop your vendors....quality versus quantity. Just because you love a vendor, does not mean they are the right person for the job. Make sure you interview a couple of vendors before deciding if that vendor is right for you. Also, consider pricing. You want to know you are getting the "biggest bang for your buck" when it comes to the vendors you chose. My photographer (check her out here) was not the cheapest photographer we met with, but I would pay 2 times her cost, simply for her quality of photos and personal experience.
6. Keep track of costs. The whole concept of budgeting is to keep track of the money your are spending on the event. Consider using a spread sheet or a notebook to help with this. Especially if you are planning over one year, it is easy to forget what you are spending on certain items. There are countless spreadsheets online and in wedding magazines. Check out this wedding budgeter here!
7. Be flexible. As you go through the process of wedding planning, you may run into items that are a little outside of the allocation you gave it. That is OK! Having a flexible budget will allow you to go a little over or a little under on some items, without completely destroying the designed budget.
8. Be honest with yourself. It is easy for brides to get "carried away" with what they want for their special day. Pinterest, wedding magazines and other wedding sources haven't helped. It is important to stay in perspective of what is affordable for YOU and your family! Set your budget with intent and reason. Do not use a number that is unrealistic or floating. This will only lead to stress and anxiety during a time that is supposed to be enjoyable!
9. Do not look at items outside of your budget. YEH YEH...I know we all want to try on every dress we see...but it is important to stay focused. If you are a person who easily falls in love with something...I would suggest staying away from items that are well outside of your price range. It's like buying a house...if you can only afford a $250,000 home, do not shop in the millions....or else you will never be content. This goes for the wedding dress, the venue and even your florist.
10. REMEMBER: You can plan a beautiful wedding on ANY budget and no one will no exactly what you spend unless you tell them. Your wedding day is about YOU and your groom! Do not let the $$ dollar signs$$ on everything taint the meaning of your special day, which is your commitment to one another. This should be the best day of your life and I can promise you...the flowers don't make it that. It is the meaning of "holy matrimony" that creates such special day!
 |
| itsabrideslife.com |
We all have different planning experiences, but know...we can all learn from each other. Feel free to comment or provide any other tips you may have for brides.
Happy Planning!
~G
Sources: My Online Wedding Help; The Knot; Jenn Hopkins Photography;
No comments:
Post a Comment