Everyone dreams of their perfect wedding. Unfortunately, things like budgets can really put the brakes on any plans you might have. The good news is that, no matter what kind of budgetary constraints you’re working with, you can still have the wedding you’ve always wanted—as long as you plan carefully and stick to your budget.
The challenge with wedding planning is that you can’t always estimate how much each aspect of your wedding will cost in advance. It’s not until you’re deep into organizing that the true costs of each part become clear. So, before you do anything else, set your budget.
Set the Budget
Before you begin planning your wedding, you should know exactly how much money you’re working with. Take note of what you’ve saved up, and talk to the other parties involved, such as your parents or your partner’s parents, to see how much they will contribute. This is the time to ask for specific amounts.
Sometimes, families choose to finance a particular aspect of the wedding—like the catering or the venue. In such cases, make sure you know exactly which parts they want to finance and what their budget is for those areas.
Katie from Orla James agrees: “It’s easy to get carried away when planning your wedding. You budget a certain amount in one area, see something you love that costs twice as much, and slip up. Then, other areas end up suffering. You have to be vigilant!”
Make a Priority List
Once you have a budget, start listing all the things you want for your wedding. Think about what’s most important to you—whether it’s catering, the wedding dress, or the venue—and prioritize these items. Assign a percentage of your budget to each one.
This is perhaps the most important part of budgeting, so take your time. Keep your budget flexible enough to spend more on top priorities without overshooting your overall limit. However, be strict enough to maintain control. You can adjust spending by shifting funds from lower-priority items to higher ones.
Remember, your budget is there to help you control spending without detracting from your dream wedding. Striking the right balance is key to success.
Picking the Right Location and Theme
Some locations and themes are inherently more expensive than others. For example, a grand wedding in a popular ballroom in London with a five-course menu won’t come cheap. On the other hand, a simple ceremony in the countryside will likely be much more affordable. You could save money on the venue and theme, then use those savings to splurge on your wedding dress or entertainment. It’s all about setting your priorities and knowing where to allocate your funds.
Guest List Size
Your guest list size will directly influence many of your costs. Food, drinks, seating, décor, and even the venue are all affected by the number of guests you invite. The guest list is your most adjustable cost factor, and reducing it can help you stay on budget. If your menu is driving up costs, for instance, a smaller guest list can help balance the budget. These small savings across various categories can add up significantly.
Date and Time
When planning your wedding, don’t forget to consider the date and time. Believe it or not, there is a wedding season, and during peak times, everything tends to be more expensive. Additionally, an evening wedding is usually pricier than an afternoon one, as it requires more lighting, food, and drinks. Choosing the right time and date can help you meet your budget goals.
Staying on Budget
It’s important to remember that every dollar counts. You might think that spending an extra dollar per person on catering won’t make a big difference, but it can add up quickly.
Re-evaluating your budget periodically is a good idea. You might discover that stationery costs more than you expected. If that happens, you could eliminate the cost by switching to digital invitations or adjust the budget to accommodate the increase by cutting back on entertainment. These are the types of decisions you’ll be making regularly. Don’t feel rushed—take your time and make thoughtful choices.
Article by: Sarah from Orla James, who has been dreaming of all things wedding since the big question was popped six months ago. Now, as she plans her own wedding, she writes content for wedding blogs. Lucky enough to live in sunny Worthing, if you want to find her, she’ll be at the beach.
