Wedding Budget Tips

First Things First

Before you start any planning whatsoever, make sure you know your exact budget. It's not fun to make big plans and then have to cancel them because you can't afford them---going into your planning with a specific dollar amount in mind can save you a lot of heartache.

Plan for the Reception When Considering Your Wedding Budget

A typical wedding with fifty guests can cost about $15,000 and that when it has been budgeted. Fifty percent of your wedding costs will be invested in the reception. Receptions are where the couple cut their cake, take their first dance and generally celebrate their nuptials. The venue, food, drinks, music, flowers and photography are all just facets of the reception. So sit down with your lists and get ready to mark all the things you absolutely want to have at your wedding and then pay attention to these rules to trim back the cost.

Stretching your wedding budget

Choose a weeknight to get married at your favorite wedding chapel, church or even destination. Rates are much lower for weekday weddings (and this includes not only the locatin, but also the vendors rates) and you get to enjoy the weekend for your honeymoon.

Think Green!

To save money on your flowers, try using more greenery than blooms in your church arrangments or garlands on archways, trellises, etc. Ferns and vines are both inexpensive and easy to obtain, sometimes for free!

Who Pays for What?

Traditionally, here's who pays for what.

Bride and family pay for church, synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.; bride's dress, veil, accessories, and lingerie; arrangements for church and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls; all wedding photos and video; bridesmaids' luncheon; shower; all all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music; groom's ring; invitations, announcements, and wedding programs; and transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.

Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant's fee; groom's outfit; bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers; complete honeymoon; the rehearsal dinner; bachelors' dinner; and both of the bride's rings.

That said, no one really goes by those guidelines anymore. Many couples pay for some of the wedding themselves, or figure out the costs and divide it in half, since it's not fair for one family to carry the bulk of the burden.

Budgeting: Phase II

1) If you are like most people, what you want and what you can afford are two separate things. Get together with your fiance and prioritize. Figure out what are the most important elements of your wedding and put your money there.

2) You will be amazed at how different your ideas are from your groom-to-be's. Get ready for your first lesson in matrimonial bliss . . .compromise!

3) No matter how much you "do-it-yourself," you will probably still have to minimize in a couple of areas. Be prepared for this reality.

Don't Go Overboard

It's not a good idea to go over your budget or go into debt in order to pay off your wedding. Beginning a married life together is a difficult transition as it is, and having a debt because of your wedding only adds to the financial problems.

Mum's the Word

If you *really* need to save money and aren't afraid of a little sneakiness, you can do many things (flowers, banquet halls, etc.) and without mentioning the word 'wedding' can save a bundle. Prices go way up when flowers are 'wedding flowers' as opposed to 'party flowers' or 'reunion flowers.'

Cheap Months to Marry

The rate of couples getting married goes *way* down in the winter. With the exception of December (all those holiday weddings!), November thru March aren't big wedding months---you'll spend less money if you get married during the off-season.

There are HUNDREDS OF SO many more tips!! you can add some too if you know of any!!