How To Budget A Wedding

Figuring out how to budget a wedding can be a daunting experience if you don’t have the right tools and a little help from friends. Friends and family can be a great help when it comes to budgeting a wedding. It is also a way of letting people be a part of your special day while keeping your budget in check. There are many ways to budget for a wedding, so decide what strategy is right for you. There are wedding worksheets, budget calculators or consultants that can all help with this difficult task. Start a notebook and keep track of your budget from the first stages of planning.

1. Plan the guest list carefully. The more people you invite, the more it will cost you per person in food. Once you figure out how many people you are going to invite, you can then begin to plan a budget and allocate funds.
2. Plan an early afternoon wedding. This is probably one the best money savers because you can choose to serve hors d’oeuvres instead of a sit down meal. This also lets guests mingle and visit with each other, instead of being stuck at a table.
3. Consider planning your wedding in the off-season. Weddings that are planned with the most desirable dates in mind will come with a higher price tag. Keep this in mind when planning your wedding date to keep costs down.
4. Planning your wedding in a springtime garden is another way to ease your budgeting costs. Mother Nature does all the work in these settings and you probably won’t need floral arrangements. Getting married at the holidays will also save money on your budget because many facilities decorate with poinsettias and garland free of cost.
5. Look to friends and family. When it comes to invitations, party favors and music, look to friends and family that are creative in these areas. If you have a graphic artist in the family, utilize their talents to make the invitations. This will go a long way in saving you money on your budget.
6. Cut out extra expenses from the beginning. Wedding budgets typically do not include extras such as a custom photo albums or preserving flowers. If these things are not high on your priority list, then chances are you won’t miss them. Friends and family may already be working on these as a surprise for you.
7. Use family heirlooms whenever possible. Whether you choose to wear your grandmother’s veil or your mothers wedding gown, try to find things that you already have before you plan your budget in this area. Use family photos for centerpieces or sentimental items to make a memorable occasion and celebrate your heritage.
8. Use party favors as centerpieces. Make double duty of your party favors and plan for them to be the centerpieces for the tables. This will save money and challenge your friends to be creative.

Once you know what you already have when it comes to planning your wedding, you will have a better sense of what you have in your budget and how to allocate it. There are many expenses, such as the wedding facility, dresses, shoes, food, jewelry, set up fees and transportation to consider. Sticking to a budget is key to a successful wedding. There is nothing more frustrating than going over your wedding budget and trying to figure out at the last minute where the money is going to come from.