Let’s talk money!

Eww, I know. It’s the least fun, but it will make your whole planning process SO much simpler (aka less stressful).

1. Make it a date. Plan a day or evening to sit down over coffee or ice cream to plan. This can make it easier to get around to. (We’ve all avoided the things that are no fun at some point, I get it)

2. The only way to start is honesty. What do we have that we can spend on a wedding? Get a number. If you were to start with how much you’re willing to spend on each part of your wedding, you may find your total is out of the budget as you start spending. Instead, start with how much you can spend on the whole. Make sure to factor in what you will be putting towards it, as well as any other contributors you may have.

3. DON’T start spending yet! Now that you have a budget, you want to know what your biggest priorities as a couple are. Make a list of the things you want most at your wedding. Glamorous reception hall? New York Cake Decorator? Simple dining hall with expensive flowers? You have to know where the money is going first or you may end up spending in the wrong place and being disappointed or overspending. Make sure to add the things you want but don’t need to have at your dream wedding so that if it’s in the budget, you can add those in order of priority.

4. Find ways to save on priorities. You can research vendors ’til the cows come home and find a variety of styles and prices. If you start soon enough you can save by booking early, off season, or during specials. Anything you save on will allow you add those fun things you want off of your prioritized list.

5. Track. Your. Spending. You have a plan, a budget, and you’ve started booking- keep track. All it takes is one forgotten check to throw it out of balance. You can find all types of free spreadsheets especially for your wedding online. Print one and use it! It’s a great way to share your spending with any contributors who may need to know also.

6. Don’t be swayed. Repeat after me ‘We have a PLANNED budget that we are happy with and that does not fit’. You have someone mentioned how so-and-so had a raised outdoor stage decorated in the Victorian style, held in the royal palace gardens of Genovia. This does not change the fact that ‘We have a PLANNED budget that we are happy with and that does not fit’. You are planning your wedding. If they are not an active financial contributor to your wedding then they have no place trying to guilt you into the latest Vera Wang dress, straight from the runway. Even if they are an active financial contributor, there is a line, and you should not be bullied into anything. Your day, your way.

I hope that this has been super helpful in making your day that much easier to plan for. If it’s still too overwhelming- just remember- we are just a phone call away 😉