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 Budgeting for a wedding is not only essential, but it's also a great way to keep track of your spending. Unfortunately, some items in the planning process can be pricey. In most areas of planning your big day, you can find ways to cut down on costs. But don't worry, you can still have a beautiful and elegant wedding without having to spend your entire life savings. You can easily save thousands of dollars by tweaking a few areas of the wedding. Some ideas and tips are:
- Check out local bridal shops and boutiques. Some have great dresses at very low prices. While you're there, ask if that shop has trunk shows. If they do - grab your wedding gals and go try on dresses! You can easily get beautiful designer dresses at about 80% off! Instead of paying about $300 per dress, each girl will only pay about $60 or so. Not a bad deal!
- Save money on decorations, flowers and transportation fees by having your ceremony and reception at the same place. Parks, beaches, banquet halls, hotels, and a relative or friends house are all perfect for both! This also saves your guests from having to travel between each part of your wedding. You may be able to work out a discounted rate at the location for having both the ceremony and reception at the same place. Again...saving money!
- Check out department stores or local dress shops for a wedding dress. A simple white, cream or ivory dress can also make a beautiful, simple and elegant wedding dress! For about $100 or less - you've got yourself a perfect dress for your big day. That beats the $3500 designer dress you saw in the bridal magazine!
- Check your local dollar stores for items that don't need to be expensive. Items such as netted circles for favors, miniature frames for table numbers, balloons for decoration, and candles for table decoration can easily be found. Most favors can be made by your friends and family. Make a night out of it - invite the girls over and put on some coffee and a chick flick. You will have tons of fun and accomplish a wedding task all at the same time!
Keeping a Wedding Budget can be a challenge, one way to cut costs without sacrificing quality is by finding your Wedding Rings online. Even customize your own to mach the Engagement Ring you've chosen.
Hindsight in financial matters is a great thing to have after your wedding, but it won't help you when your bank statement screams at you later on down the track. Here we look at some tips from financial experts to help your budget go to plan.
Firstly, divide your budget
It doesn't matter if you are paying for the wedding yourselves or if your families are helping; setting a budget that is realistic is absolutely necessary.
Here is the simplest way:
50% for reception location, rentals, food and beverages
10% for flowers and décor
10% for photography and videography
10% for the bride and grooms attire
10% for fees, invitations, transportation, etc
10% for the honeymoon
Strictly keep yourself from overspending
If you keep it firm in your mind what your limits are, it really is not impossible. Think about serving wine and beer instead of a full bar, saving the champagne for the toasts. Instead of a full course meal with all the bells and whistles, consider having a breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea or even barbecue. Not only will you save on food but also smaller amounts of available alcohol will make a large difference to your bank balance and make you responsible hosts.
Keep a close eye on the books
To enable you to stay on budget you will need to keep track of quotes, deposits and balances due. Consider using wedding planner software which not only helps to keep track of every cent you are spending on your wedding, but will also keep tabs on invitations and guest lists. Remember to get everything quoted to you in writing. This will save many a heartbreak when comes time to paying the bills.
So, who really is responsible for paying what?
Thank goodness times have changed and the bride's family is no longer liable for the entire cost of the wedding. It has been modern practice for each family to take responsibility for one-third of the costs - the bride's family, the groom's family and the bride and groom together. This relieves the financial burden on the bride's family and makes the whole planning process more enjoyable.
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