Wedding budget {big picture} tips

It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the {little details} and sometimes lose focus over the main goal of your wedding planning - getting married to the love of your life! With the average wedding in America costing over $30,000 most couples can not believe how quickly the costs add up.

We have received several emails from readers who are helping to pay for their own weddings and asking for some advice on working with a budget. Here are some big picture tips we have picked up along the way and think are important to keep in mind...

{#10} Don’t forget it’s a wedding

Getting wrapped up in the {once in a lifetime} way of thinking makes it easy to overspend. Try to remember that the event is a celebration of your love and should be a reflection of the two of you...not a reason to go into debt!

{#9} Come up with an “inspiration board”

Build a collage of pictures, colors & images that depict your wedding vision and create a theme that can be appropriately carried thru. Decide what kind of feeling you want to create first and selecting everything from invitations to favors will be easier.

Photo credits: Snippet & Ink

{#8}Prioritize

When you have a budget, it is essential to focus on a few excellent ideas you can execute well than to try to accomplish too much and spread yourself thin financially. If your pictures are most important to you and you want a well-known photographer who might be expensive, think about saving in areas such as buying your wedding dress. Everyone will think you look beautiful on your wedding day no matter what, and there may be areas where an extra thousand dollars will make a bigger difference.

{#7} Pick a low-cost venue

Look at parks, museums, farms and other lower cost alternatives. These sites can also cut down on the amount of decorations you need by providing beautiful scenery and {free} decor.

Photo credits: Kristie Tweed via The Bride's Cafe

{#6} Choose vendors carefully

Research and consider vendors carefully but do not overwhelm yourself with options. In many cases, couples might not be able to afford the vendors whose portfolios they like best. Interview a few vendors you can afford – no more than 3 - and find the one you click with. Show them the ideas you like from pictures and be sure they will be willing to work with you to achieve your ideas.

{#5} Do it yourself...but do not over do it yourself

We know this is an obvious one...however DIY only if it will save money AND look good! Too many projects will leave you feeling overwhelmed. Select a few things you know you can create and accomplish well so you do not end up with projects that look too unfinished.

Photo credits: Hostess with the Mostess via The Bridal Bar

{#4} It’s all in the {little} details

The details do not have to cost you a fortune. Repeating your color scheme and style throughout your wedding will result in a pulled together look.

{#3} Splurge selectively

Spending extra on a few key areas will focus your guest's attention and they probably will not notice other things are missing. For instance, if you want to have a calligrapher address your invitations to help set the tone for your wedding, it will be well worth the extra money.

Photo credits: Pretty Pen Jen

{#2} Plan your ceremony first

We can not stress how important this is. It is SO easy to get excited about your plans and picking a date. But before choosing a date, find out if your officiant and church are available and then lock in your reception venue. This will result in savings and having your wedding where you want it...not just at a place that happens to be available and that might be more expensive.

{#1) Be flexible

You will be surprised find what areas you can save in if you are flexible during your planning. Consider dates and times that might not be as popular for weddings. A Saturday or Sunday early afternoon wedding might give you a lot of leverage with venues and vendors. Having a wedding brunch versus dinner will also result in significant savings. Keeping an open mind during the planning process will help take the burden of budget stress away!

Photo credits: Martha Stewart

Comments

[Tara]

What GREAT tips, thanks!

[Amy]

I love these kinds of posts! Of course it's so much easier said than done, but I'm hoping that it will sink in soon--I have to have a budget! ;) Thanks for the tips!

[simone]

tip #5 is priceless. i'm a wedding planner and the biggest issue i have is brides not wanting to delegate + let go.

tip#7 - is fabu! so many people choose venues that are incompatible with their vision + budgets and at the end of the day we end up with a circle in a square hole problem.

tip#6 - i've had brides choose vendors whom i would not recommend with the last breathe in my body, and the outcome has been less than pleasant. people judge based on cost mostly and that is soo not the appropriate indicator on whether or not a person will do an excellent job for you.

[Jessica Lynn]

amen to #4! I am a believer in the details! some little details guests might overlook, but a cohesive color scheme or theme will give a cohesive look to the day!