When you are planning the wedding of your dreams, it is easy to get carried away and spend way too much. In order to plan a wedding that is within your means, it is important to create a wedding budget that provides the best bang for your buck.
Many couples have no idea how to make a budget that is friendly to the wallet but still lets you enjoy the luxuries they have always wanted on their special day. The information below can help you create the ideal plan for deciding how much money will be needed to pull off your big day.
Decide on the Size of the Wedding
The first step that should be taken when creating a wedding budget is to decide on the size of your wedding. This should not be a rough estimate, but should instead be a detailed list of who you do or do not want to invite, as long as allowances for those who are single and may bring a guest with them. If your rough draft of wedding guests is too much to handle, try cutting it down. Perhaps you only want immediate family and close friends. If this is the case, then make a list and decide to stick to it no matter what. Once you have a definitive number of people, you can begin calculating costs.
Make a List of All Possible Expenses
With the wedding size in mind, you can begin to go through and make a list of expenses. Everything from large purchases such as the rental of the wedding venue to small purchases such as bridal gifts should be added to the list. No expense is too big or too small and for the most accurate budget that ensures you do not spend too much, your list should be comprehensive.
Consider Ways to Save
Now that there is a list of expenses and the guest list has been made, you should consider ways to save. There are always substitutes and cut backs that can be made in an effort to save money without sacrificing a lot. For instance, instead of a full price professional photographer, look into photography students at a local college that are almost done with their degree. These individuals will be happy to get the work, will charge a low rate and their work will be on par with that of professionals in the field if not better.
Enlist the Help of a Professional
While it may seem like an added expense, choosing to enlist the help of a wedding planner may actually save you money. While they do charge for their services, they also have great relationships with local vendors and could get you steep discounts on must have items for your wedding.
Creating a wedding budget is not difficult if you know the right steps to take. It can be easy to plan outside your means when it comes to the special day. By taking the time to consider the information above, you can plan the perfect wedding at a price you can afford.
