How to Set a Wedding Budget
It can be difficult and stressful to figure out your wedding budget, but fear not! However, your wedding will probably be the greatest party you have ever hosted and even the most expensive. But the truth is that it is possible for you to set a budget for your wedding to make it less expensive and convenient.
To set your wedding budget, you will need to sum up your savings, keep a comprehensive spreadsheet in order not to overshoot your budget in the course of planning, get ready for unanticipated expenses, and make significant reductions if you eventually go over your total budget.
Are you planning your wedding and want to set a budget for it? Here’s is how to set a wedding budget you can comply with:
Consider the Type of Wedding You Desire
Before you start planning your wedding, think about the type of wedding you want to have. This will make you determine the amount you want to spend and how to budget for the wedding.
There are different kinds of wedding you can have, but always remember that you don’t have to go bankrupt or break the bank to get married. After thinking this over, you may decide to have a much smaller and more intimate wedding – or you’re the type of couple who would just rather elope.
Consider the general feel you desire for your wedding and the look, emotions, people, style and all those things that will grace the occasion and make the day unique to you and your partner.
Look at Your Finances
If no one is contributing to your wedding, then look at your finances critically and determine how much you can comfortably invest without going into wedding debt. You must be realistic and upfront about this because money is a sensitive subject.
You need to come up with a realistic budget, but where should you start?
For you to prepare a realistic budget, you need to first identify the amount you can afford to spend on your wedding and the caliber of people you are inviting to the wedding and how much you will set aside for entertaining them. this will include food, drinks, and other side attractions.
Track Your Spending
Once you have determined your wedding expenses, you will need to have an account where you will deposit the money. Having a separate wedding account will give you the chance to track your spending and not mix these special funds with your regular money.
Think Small
Consider having a destination wedding at a private adults-only resort. You can extend a lot of invites but not everyone will be able to make it. Plus, you won’t have to worry about traveling to a honeymoon destination after the wedding.
Have a Wedding Planner
Avoid being in charge on your wedding day, whether there is a wedding planner in place or not. Have a wedding planner who can be a friend of yours or a hired individual. Your wedding planner will ensure an easy planning process easier and save you a huge sum of money.
Have Short List of Priorities
You and your spouse should choose the top three priorities each for your wedding day. These could be about anything from an open bar to rocking music, a four-tier cake, the photographer introduced to you by a friend, or some other details you each feel strongly about.
This short list of priorities will give you an idea of how to plan your wedding with the little money you have for the wedding. It is recommended that the two of you should prepare the list independently and then come together to look at the two lists and then adjust where necessary.
Be Selective About the List of Guests
Determining the number of guests you will want in attendance at your wedding ceremony and reception is an essential aspect of setting a wedding budget. It is the number of guests that dictate the space and resources you will need including the amount of food caterers will prepare for the reception, as well as other major budgetary considerations.
Therefore, you must be selective with the guest list not only due to pricing. But a lower cost bracket for your guests means you can afford more luxurious weddings.
Shop Smarter
When you are buying items you will need for your wedding, make sure you shop smarter and resist the urge to splurge. Note that all those expensive items also have their less-expensive options. Despite the fact that you want everything to be wonderful and great, don’t go for the expensive items that will put you and your partner into debt after your wedding.
Make sure you do a finding of the average prices of wedding items from different shops in your locality before you choose where to buy. The idea behind this act is to compare prices to know where wedding items are cheaper to buy.
Although this is a daunting task, taking your time and energy to set a wedding budget before you move ahead will not only leave you free of wedding debt but also make you happy for the rest of your married life.