How to Set Your Wedding Budget ... And Keep Your Sanity in the Process!

​Setting your wedding budget is not for the faint at heart! Your wedding will likely be the biggest event you’ve ever hosted- and probably the priciest! But never fear, you will see this through! And hopefully have a little peace of mind along the way. It’s no secret that the cost of weddings can be a bit high.  Ultimately, this can lead to a lot of pressure on the bride and groom, and their families. Everyone wants that picture perfect wedding, but not everyone properly prepares for the associated price tag. But before you book that exclusive five-star resort for your wedding venue or try on designer dresses, you may want to plan out your wedding budget. Planning your wedding budget in the early stages of your planning process will save you a lot of time and heartache along the way. So here’s my four tips to help you plan your wedding budget that will also help you keep your sanity! 

1. Sit Down With All Parties

​For most couples, the finances will be taken care by you and your fiancé. However, some couples will get financial help from their parents, grandparents, or other loved ones. When setting a budget, the first thing you want to do is get all the parties involved together to discuss the budget, what all needs to be included, and what everyone can contribute. Make sure that you thank those family members who have agreed to help and show your appreciation throughout the process. 

2. Be Realistic

​Set a realistic number of what you can contribute and ask everyone else who is planning to do the same. How much can you save per month? Where will the extra funds come from? How much do you have in saving? When you sit down with everyone who will be contributing to the budget, ask realistic questions about the wedding funds. While you want to have the wedding of your dreams, you also don’t want to start married life in debt. So having serious conversations about finances at the beginning of planning process will prevent you from booking a vendor that is completely out of your budget and costing your additional money in the long run.

3. Decide What Takes Priority

There are many different aspects of your wedding. Not all of them will have the same weight as importance to your wedding vision. Having jaw dropping dress can be at the top of your list, however, having a huge cake that everyone oohs and ahs over may not be as important. Categorize your wedding day aspects in order of importance and share this list with your planner. A good planner will not only give you a suggested spending amount for each category, they will also help you to get the most bang for your buck. They’ll help you to save money on those items that are not do or die in your vision and allow you to have extra spending room for those must-have items.

4. Set a Budget and Stick To It

Once you’ve set a budget, stick to it! You may come across additional finances to help cover wedding costs, and in turn you’ll want to splurge and buy items that are out of budget. Be careful and don’t impulse shop when it comes to your wedding! Now that you have an allotted spending amount for each budget category, do your research to find vendors that can deliver the services you want within your price range. Be honest with your potential vendors and let them know what your budget is. Most vendors know of creative ways to help you get the vision you want without breaking the bank. 

​Talking about money can be stressful in any situation. Adding in parents or grandparents to the conversation can add to the stress. The best thing you can do to remain on budget and not feel overwhelmed is to prioritize what aspects of your wedding is most important, and commit to staying focused on each category’s spending.

Hiring a professional wedding planner is a great investment for your wedding. A planner has an invaluable number of resources that will help you find the perfect vendors within your budget. One in three couples go over their wedding budget! Make sure you’re not one of them by setting a realistic budget and seeking the advice of processionals. 

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Be Merry Events provides Affordable Wedding Planning and Event Design services. We are located in the West Virginia, and specialize in creating modern, stylish, design-led and affordable events, for clients who want a luxury feel to their wedding, without the added costs. Each event is personalized to you! Want to know more? Get in touch now for a complimentary consultation over here.

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