Your Wedding Budget

You want the celebration of your special day to reflect your personal sense of style and to make sure all of your guests have a wonderful time. So how do you accomplish that without breaking the bank? Determining your wedding budget is one of the most important decisions you will need to make. If you are lucky enough to have a large budget, that's wonderful. But even on a tighter budget, there are plenty of creative compromises you can still allow you to have the wedding of your dreams and stay withing your budget. Once your overall budget has been determined, you can then allocate how much to spend for the various expenses. Of course, there will always be unexpected expenses, but careful planning with your budget can help to keep things on track. This is where a good wedding planner book, online planners, and actual Wedding Planner Professionals are worth their weight in gold!

Different planning sources will offer guidelines of percentages for your budget, how much you should allocate to the different elements of your wedding (bridal gown, tux, venues, catering, entertainment, flowers and decor, guest favors, etc). Every couple will have different priorites and feel they should spend more money in one area over another. So remember, if is important to you to have really great food served at your reception, then it is OK to expand the budget in that category. You just need to know that you may need to reduce the budget in another area to keep within your budget.

It is very important to keep good written record of the break down of your wedding expenses. Not every item listed on the sample break downs you come across will apply to everyone. So take out the elements that will apply to you, and start your own list. Use an excel spreadsheet to help you keep track. This way you can easily see what has been paid, when, to whom, and any balances due to be paid at a quick glance.
Remember to include a miscellaneous category for all of the little expenses that come up, and do not forget to record them as well. A few dollars here and there might not seem like a big deal at first, but they can add up quickly over the months throughout the planning process. Keeping track of everything you spend will help to keep you withing your budget, and avoid financial steesses. If you find yourself spending more on certain elements than originally planned and budgeted for, early detection can allow you to revisit your budget to make adjustments.

Remember, planning your wedding can be a very fun and exciting time as you near a new phase in your life. Keeping track of your budget will help ensure a successful planning venture!