How to Make a Wedding Budget (And Stick to It)

Planning a wedding is one of the most fun and exciting things a newly engaged couple can do, but weddings are also expensive. Very expensive. And if left unchecked, a higher than expected wedding bill can cause financial stress for years to come. 

So, what is the solution?

Budgeting. Creating and sticking to a budget is crucial while planning your big day. Many people vastly underestimate how pricey weddings can be, especially now that they are so trendy. Costs can stack up quickly. But figuring out a budget and sticking to it is not easy, especially when you don’t even know where to start. But don’t fret! Our wedding specialists have combined a list of tips that will help you set a budget AND stick to it.

Who Is Helping?

First things first – you need to know who is contributing to your wedding. A long tradition has always been that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, but this is becoming increasingly uncommon. Perhaps both of your parents are willing to help, or maybe just one or even none. Whatever the case, it’s important to know right off the bat who is willing to help and what they are willing to contribute.

If someone in your family is willing to help, maybe they can be put in charge of paying for a specific part of the wedding, such as the food or the photographer. Remember, every little thing adds up, so having even one part of your wedding completely paid for is a lot off your plate. It’s also more gratifying for most people knowing they paid for a specific item/service rather than just handing you money. 

Figure Out Your Guest Numbers

Many people say you should choose your venue at the very beginning of getting engaged, but there is another determining factor before you just choose the place of your dreams. Knowing how many guests you want is crucial to many other parts of the wedding, especially the size of the venue. This also determines how much food you need, cake size, chairs, tables, invitations, and much more. To put it in simple terms, your guest count pretty much determines everything except for the dress, so it’s important to get that figured out ASAP. 

What Matters To You?

Many married couples will directly tell you what you “need” or what you should have at your wedding, but realistically, what mattered to them might not apply to you. Figure out your must-haves and the not-so-important things that you can leave out of it. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run and can really help you budget out the rest of your wedding. 

Stick To Your Budget

One thing is for certain: having a glamorous wedding is not worth going into debt over. Be sure to be upfront with your budget from the get-go so that you and your spouse-to-be know your expectations. Start saving the moment you get engaged so you don’t have to start racking up your credit cards. Another great tip is to stay organized throughout the process of planning. Creating spreadsheets with how much deposits are and when upcoming payments are due can help you understand where your money is going, and keep you on top of your budget. 

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