Not everyone has an unlimited budget to plan the wedding of their dreams. Here are some tips for planning ahead so you can have the wedding you want, with the price tags you are looking for.
Planning a wedding on a budget is a must, even for the most financially well-off brides. However much you decide to spend, it’s easy to get carried away with wedding expenses. Each vendor you hire brings with it a whole new set of expenses, and it seems like the closer you get to the big day, the more those little extra costs sneak up on you.
The key to planning a wedding on a budget is to plan ahead, and to be as specific as possible. Whether you have a month or a year to plan for your special day, the moment you begin organizing your wedding files, papers, and planners, it’s time to narrow down what you can and cannot do, how much you can and cannot spend, and which areas you are willing to compromise or settle for less.
- List your must-haves: Write down every aspect—whether it’s a live band or an extended honeymoon—that is high priority on your “want” list. This will show you where you will want to put all of your financial focus. Other options can then be excluded to save on cost and to keep things focused on your biggest priorities.
- Identify the areas you’re willing to cut corners: Cutting corners doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you want. It just means you need to get rid of any extra options that don’t directly impact your wedding vision. If your dream wedding can still happen without a particular type of cake or a specific brand name wedding gown, then you can do without it.
- Set a number and stick to it: This can be hard to do, especially when certain things end up costing you more than you anticipated. Ideally, though, a way to avoid disappointment, be realistic, and still give yourself leeway is to set a goal number that you cannot exceed, and then stick to it.
Keep these tips in mind as you start planning a wedding on a budget!
