Make the budget, then stick to it!

Whether the wedding of your dreams is a small, intimate gathering that will cost $1,000; an extravaganza that will cost $70,000; or (like most of us!) somewhere in-between, you need to make a budget that you can stick to! But where do you start?

Know how much you have to spend. Are family members helping to pay? Are the two of you using your own savings? Get a real number together, and don’t start shopping until you know what you’ve got! This is a time to be very honest with yourself, your family, and each other. You don’t want to get your heart set on a dress, venue or anything else until you know what your limits are.

Get organized. There are plenty of ways to get your budget together. From the wedding planning binders you can find at any bookstore, to online budget calculators, pick what works for you and do it! The trick, of course, is not only to set up the budget, but to keep it updated. You’ll need to know if you’re going over budget in one area, so you can make up for it in another!

Remember the little things. We know the venue and the dress make up most of a traditional wedding budget.  But don’t forget that the little things do add up. Postage for your wedding invitations will most likely be more than the cost of a single stamp. And you’ll need to order more than Save-the-Dates and invitations. Don’t forget to include things like your escort cards, programs and thank you cards! Are you going to DIY your centerpieces? Plan for things like ribbon, fabric, and other supplies, too! (Of course, if you’re trying to trim your budget, things like that can be cut altogether!)

Other wedding-related events. Are you planning to have an engagement party? Ask your wedding party to be a part of your big day in a special way? Have an engagement photo session? These things, too, need to be part of your overall plan.

Making your budget will take some time (and it will feel a lot like homework) when all you want to do is go to cake tastings and try on some great clothes. But it is such an important part of any wedding planning!