It’s obvious that not everything in life will go according to plan – and that goes double for a wedding! Attendants might drop out; the dress isn’t ready on time; unexpected guests arrive. Even creating a budget can be difficult, with surprises costs popping up as the day gets closer. But it is possible to keep your finances in check and stay on track, so keep reading for tips on how to create a wedding budget – and stick to it!
Making the Budget
The first step in a successful wedding is setting your budget. This will be one of the biggest determiners of what kind of wedding you’ll have – but don’t worry! We’ll talk all about how you can still have the wedding of your dreams with your budget in a moment.
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Guests
First, you need to know who is coming to the wedding. It’s a good idea to begin with your attendants – the bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, best man, etc. Usually, couples choose how many they have of each based on who they want to do it, so start thinking!
Then, create two lists for guests: one for the people that you absolutely want to be there and another for those that you’d like to be there if the budget allows.
Tally it all up, and you’ll have your desired guest list. We’ll work with this number in mind, but you’ll see as you plan what your priorities are and where you’re willing to cut costs.
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Splitting costs
Next, you need to figure out who is paying for what. Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, but as couples are getting married later in life when they are already established, this doesn’t happen as often.
Figure out who will contribute to the wedding and how much. Then, see how much you and your fiancé/e can contribute. Add it together, and you have your budget!
Sticking to the Budget
As you plan your wedding with your budget in mind, it’s always best to aim a little lower than the full amount. That way, you’ll have some money to spare for small surprises costs (or honeymoon spending money!)
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Must-Haves vs. Wants
Now’s the time to decide what is a must-have for your wedding. Try this: write down the individual parts of the day that you need to plan and pay for on separate index cards or slips of paper. Discuss with your fiancé/e what the must-haves are – what you’re not willing to bend on and line the papers up in order of importance. These pieces of paper should have the most common large expenses, like dress, music, photographer, food and drink, venue rental, cake, invitations, wedding favors, flowers, etc.
This activity will help you prioritize expenses. For example, if you have your eye set on the dress of your dreams and neither of you is very fussy about the cake, the dress will be a higher priority than the cake, which is probably where you can cut costs.
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Take Your Time
The earlier in advance you plan your wedding, the lower your costs will be. Venues, caterers, and florists all tend to charge higher prices if the event is approaching sooner.
Plus, planning a wedding is complex and takes time. Rushing things means you probably aren’t giving yourself time to consider all of the options and research prices in the area. The more time you have to plan, the more thorough and thoughtful you can be.
Contact Justice Lydon & Co for Small Wedding Packages in Boston
Sticking to a budget isn’t easy, and sometimes, opting for a professionally created wedding package could be the right choice. At Justice Lydon & Co, we offer small wedding packages to Boston brides that want the wedding of their dreams without all the hassle. Check out the wedding services we offer, and contact us today!
