Once you are engaged, it is easier to bask in the glory however, the statistics related to wedding costs is sure to make you want to elope. After all, taking a simple trip to the courthouse as compared to a lavish wedding might seem more economical. However, dreamers don’t despair. You can have a traditional wedding ceremony as well as a reception without going overboard and it can happen within your budget. Here are three tips on planning a wedding within your budget.
Determine the wedding you want – When you imagine your wedding what you see? Is it a swanky reception at a downtown loft or simple backyard barbeque with all your friends and family. Or is it a classic hotel ballroom reception? Decisions, decisions! If you need a little more help, take inspirations from all the weddings that you have attended or seen on TV or the internet. Pinterest is a major inspiration that can help you out immensely. Avoid hanging up on little details just yet. Consider the overall feel of planning the wedding and priorities matter.
Wedding budget talk – While planning for the event, everyone is going to chip in i.e the bride, groom and the parents. Therefore, it is necessary to sit down and have a look at the total wedding budget. This can also be the first time that you will experience budgeting with your future spouse and to work as a team.
This can be a priceless experience. Be open to ideas and be honest about how much you can spend and how much you are willing to spend. It can be a bit uncomfortable to talk money with your fiancé but it is very important while planning a wedding. Especially, if you don’t want to be still paying for your wedding even at your 3rd, 4th or 5th wedding anniversary
Decide on what is negotiable – Based on what percentages you have decided, you can take a moment with you fiancé and decide on your top three must have. Those must haves can be very frivolous or very practical. It can be an outdoor reception, a plated surf and turf dinner, a live jazz band, anything you consider important or hold dear in your heart.
Make sure you sit down and deter mine what you really want. This is important for both you and your future spouse. Have a vision and let that vision dictate your budget. While planning a wedding, keep your lists ready. They can be merged or separate as per your convenience.