Budgeting for Your Wedding

Planning a wedding can be very taxing especially if you go over budget. This is why it is very important to make sure that you set a budget from the very start. To help you with your budget here are some tips.

1. Do a little research or canvassing to get a reality check BEFORE setting your budget. Around this time you will realize just how fancy or simply your wedding can be because it is also when you will realize just how much you can afford. You don’t have to do an exhaustive itemized research but simply go to wedding sites and find quotations there.

2. Set you maximum overall budget.

3. According to what you have researched and which aspects of the wedding is important to you create a pie chart dividing it into categories. The usual categories you need to budget for are the reception, attire, flowers, photo/video, music, invites, souvenirs, venue, cake, hair and make-up, and gifts. The reception is almost always the most expensive part and can take up to more than 50% of the entire budget. The next most expensive categories are usually the attire and flowers. However, this all depends on your choices. If you want to get married in a really popular place you might need to set aside more for the venue. On the other hand if you will be getting married in your mom’s dress then the attire will need a very little percentage since you’ll only need to spend money on re-fitting and dry cleaning.

4. Make a timeline. Yes when budgeting you shouldn’t just think about the figures but think about the dates as well. Try to figure out when you will be having an influx of money to pay for required reservation deposits so that you will be able to plan when you’ll be dishing out money. It makes sense to spread out your spending instead of paying for everything all at once. Besides paying early might get you discounts so plan these as well.

5. Get to the nitty gritty. Once you’ve made a general budget then it’s choosing time. Choose the dress, venue, caterer, invites, and everything else according to what you can accommodate with your budget. If your budget is a bit tight you’ll usually have to choose between sacrificing some details and making your guest list a bit smaller. Once you get to this portion you can adjust and ease up on a category’s budget if you realize you will actually need to spend less on something else.

Wedding Invitations 101

Your wedding invitations are important pieces of your wedding. In the strictest sense, no invitations means a person cannot attend your wedding unless they are there as someone’s date. It is a simple yet great way to trim your wedding list and keep the numbers down.

Invitations reflect the theme of your wedding and the kind of wedding you will have. A formal looking, very elegant invitation tells your guests that this is indeed a formal affair. The colors you use will give them an idea.

Now all couples have budget constraints. You have to decide which items you will spend on and which ones you can save on. The invitation ranks high on the expense scale if the couple doesn’t watch it since like the food, the cost goes up exponentially with each additional frill.

So here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your invitations:

First, trim down your guest list! You’ll hear this over and over. Keep the numbers down. The more guests you invite and have over, the bigger the expense. Control the numbers and you’ll be able to keep your expenses down.

Second, keep it simple. The fancier your invitations, the higher the cost will be. The price goes up the fancier your font, the more colors you use and the more expensive the paper you choose. Remember that less is more. Save the fancy stuff for your wedding dress and food for your reception. Your guests will not judge you based on the invitation.

Third, take the time to learn the lingo of printers. It helps to speak their language so that you know what exactly they mean when they talk with you. They are likely to offer you the most expensive options first, such as engraving, and not mention other options (assuming they are out to make money and not really to help you). Communicate with them using their terms and you may get a better deal.

Fourth, keep it light. We mean this literally. Choose paper that isn’t heavy or bulky. The thinner it is, the less expensive it is. It will also mean that the whole invitation will be lighter (no matter if you have an insert and a reply envelope inside) so it will cost you less to mail.

While we’re on the topic of mailing your invitations, instead of having a separate reply note with a self addressed envelope, why not just have a reply postcard? That will be less expensive for you.

Fifth, consider doing away with the extras. Many couples include lists such as the names of the entourage, a piece of poetry, save the date cards or directional maps. These may seem really nice, some may even be useful. Keep in mind however that every additional sheet is an additional charge to you. You might want to just include a phone number and URL for your website for any additional information that they need.

Sixth, shop around. There are bargains to be found everywhere. Your wedding planner/coordinator may sometimes be able to get you a better deal than going direct to a printer. Take the time to ask around and find out who can give you the best deal. You might even find that the best deals are online.

Lastly, feel free to make your invites yourself. Not everyone has the gift for crafts. If you are one of them feel free to dazzle your guests with your talent. It can save you quite a chunk and truly personalize your invitations at the same time.

Where Did All the Money Go?

You are almost there. Your special day is coming up and of course you need to do a little accounting. Otherwise you end up asking, where did all the money go?

Generally, no matter what country you live in, the biggest expense is the reception. It normally accounts for about 48% of your total expenses. Let’s face it you are feeding a lot of people. The event is being catered by a chef and you are also paying for the cost of the people serving behind the bar and waiting on the tables. Not to mention that you’re having a multi-course meal. This can really raise the costs.

The next in rank is the cost of your photos and video. A really good, professional photographer is expensive. They are well paid because of their skill. After all they are trying to capture a once in a lifetime event in a way that looks alive long after your nuptials are over.

Then comes the cost of your gown. It is usually a dress that you will only wear once but it is made from costly materials and is usually, at some point handcrafted. It usually comes up to about 10% of the total expense for your wedding.

The flowers and decor takes about 8% of the bill as does the music and entertainment. The skills of the artisans behind these wedding necessities are invaluable.

The remainder of your bill is split between the cost of your wedding rings, transportation, the invitations and the actual ceremony in varying amounts. Let’s not forget the taxes you may have had to pay as well as your bride and groom gifts. This accounts for about 19% of the bill.

The funny thing is, no matter what the size of your budget, you will normally find that these figures are close.

Weddings Within Your Budget

A dream wedding…that’s what every girl wants. Unfortunately, those are really expensive, especially if you insist on having them Hollywood style. Still, it is nice to have the trimmings at your wedding; and contrary to what you may think, you can have them while shelling out less than you’d expect.

Start by working on your guest list. If you’re working on a tight budget the fewer the guests, the smaller the expense. Go for an intimate wedding and have on your list your family and closest friends only. You can make your invitations yourself. There are a lot of computer software that can help you if you aren’t very skilled in the graphic arts.

Nowadays, brides can get married in almost any decent outfit. Why not go for a suit or get a dress that you can use again. Remember that the radiant bride is beautiful, no matter what she wears. Your entourage can also provide their own dresses; just give them the theme to follow.

On the other hand, you may want to have matched sets for you and your entourage Why not rent your gowns? Some shops carry full sets since usually the outfits are one time only clothes. Let the joy of some other happy bride spill over onto you. Even the groom and groomsmen’s suits can rent their tuxedos or wedding suits.

Your friends are a treasure you definitely will be thankful for on this occasion. They can do a lot to lighten your costs. Some of them must be good with pictures. Ask your friends to bring their cameras and take pictures of your wedding for you. A friend who is skilled in make-up and hair styles can take the place of a professional artist. Maybe they can even lend you a fancy car for the trips you need to make during the day instead of having to hire a limousine.

Doing these will not only lower your expenses, they will also bind you closer to your friends. Don’t forget that it isn’t how much you spend or how fancy the wedding that counts. Keep it simple and from the heart; that will make it memorable.