If you just got engaged and don’t know where to start planning, look no further! Wedding planning isn’t just the fun stuff, like getting dressed up and sampling cake. Before you decide between chocolate or vanilla, you’ll have to determine your budget. Here are 3 tips to help you when planning your wedding budget.
#1 Consider What You Can Afford
You don’t want to go broke planning a wedding you can’t afford. Consider what you have in your savings and how much you’re willing to spend from it. If you plan on saving during the wedding planning process, determine your combined monthly income minus all bills and miscellaneous expenses. Once this is figured out, you’ll have a much better idea of how much money you’ll be able to save for your big day.
#2 Determine Your Priorities
Once you have a budget, determining what your top priorities are for your wedding is the first step to properly allocating funds. Sit down with your fiance and discuss what’s important to them in a wedding celebration. For example, you might prioritize music, food, and flowers while your partner might prioritize venue and an open bar. See what you’re willing to compromise on so you can stay within your budget.
#3 Nail Down Your Guest List
Your guest list size will determine how much you’ll need to save for your venue, food, beverages, etc. With that being said, think twice about inviting that second cousin that you don’t know, just because your parents want you to. As a general rule, plan to budget at least $100 per guest. Going off your priorities, find a balance between guest count and event experiences/aesthetics. If you’re planning a wedding on a budget, one of the easiest ways to reduce costs is to invite fewer people and have a more intimate celebration.
After doing these three tips, you’ll have a much better idea of how much you’re willing to spend and on what! Don’t let your budget convince you that you can’t have a beautiful day. The trick to planning an amazing wedding is making the most of your budget, which may take some creativity and flexibility, but it’s entirely doable!