| The dreaded "B" word. The one part of wedding | | | | items. |
| planning that is no fun - budgeting! Once you've | | | | 3. Stay organized. You will quickly realize that staying |
| decided on what you can spend and whether or not | | | | organized during your wedding planning will make life |
| family will be pitching in, you'll need to work out a | | | | easier. Download a wedding budget spreadsheet or |
| budget plan --preferably before meeting any vendors. | | | | create your own. If you're using a template, remember |
| It's all too often that brides fall in love with a venue only | | | | that all the items listed are just a guide. |
| to find out it is way out of their budget. | | | | 4. Taxes/Tips. Forgetting to account for tax and tips |
| Here are some tips to help you as you and your | | | | can throw off your budget. When getting service |
| fiance crunch your wedding day numbers: | | | | quotes, make sure to ask if tax is already included and |
| 1. Knowledge is power. In order for your budgeting to | | | | find out what their tipping policies are. These may not |
| work, it has to be realistic. Find out what local vendors | | | | be included in your final price but either way, it will avoid |
| charge for their services. You can't base your budget | | | | any surprises later on. |
| on what your parents paid their photographer 25 | | | | 5. Don't count on wedding gifts. Many couples make |
| years ago or what your friend in the Midwest paid for | | | | decisions that ultimately put them over their budget, in |
| her entire wedding. You may quickly realize that your | | | | hopes that they will make their money back with their |
| original budget is not realistic. Adjust your budget after | | | | wedding gifts. However, it almost never works out that |
| getting the estimates. | | | | way and at best, you'll be making half of it back. |
| 2. Focus on what matters most. Decide what's most | | | | Budgeting, like dieting, is never fun. It requires a watchful |
| important for you and your fiance and allocate your | | | | eye on our spending and usually means we have to |
| resources accordingly. If you are "foodies," your focus | | | | make sacrifices along the way. However, there's more |
| will be on selecting a great caterer and menu that you | | | | to lose by not paying attention to the numbers. Being |
| and your guests will enjoy. If you love to dance (like I | | | | clear about what you have to spend and how you will |
| do!), then hiring the right DJ and selecting the play list will | | | | use your resources is empowering and will make it |
| be one of your top priorities. Listing your top priorities | | | | that much easier to ensure you still have money for |
| will keep the focus on what matters most to you. You | | | | life after your wedding! |
| can then find ways to cut back on the remaining list | | | | |