Managing a wedding budget can be difficult– especially if you don’t really know what to expect in terms of what much different things cost. Prioritizing your budget– no matter what that amount is– means you’ll get what you want without blowing the bank. We’re breaking down some tips to help you prioritize your wedding budget so you know where your money should be going.
We’ve talked before about how much of your budget should go toward the various categories while you’re wedding planning, but not everyone’s budget– or priorities– is the same.
1. Decide what’s most important to you two. Some couples want the food to be absolutely mind blowing. Others want an epic dance party. Talk with your soon-to-be-spouse and decide what your top 3 priorities are. That’s where you’ll allot for more money than average. Then, decide what isn’t important to you. That’s where you can cut back.
For example, maybe having show stopping photos is the most important thing to you and your fiancé. So you know you’ll put a little more of your budget toward that. Maybe favors aren’t really that important you both. So you can take a little from that category and put that extra toward your photo budget. This helps you adjust your budget for your own priories.
2. Keep your expectations realistic. You can’t have champagne on a beer budget– at least, not good champagne. If photos are your biggest priority, you can’t expect to hire an award winning, nationally known photographer for $2,000. You have to have realistic expectations. Do your research, ask around and get comparable quotes. For example, two local photographers might be priced drastically different, but one might have a decade of experience and the other might have a single year. Both could be great– it just depends what’s important to you.
3. Remember, you get what you pay for. Again, you won’t be able to buy good champs at a PBR price point. We love PBR and champagne equally, but there’s a time and a place. You get what you pay for when it comes to wedding professionals, so expect to pay more for your priorities. If that’s catering, be ready to budget extra for great food. You can make up for it by using in house rental items that come with your venue, or DIYing your favors.
Or maybe you put a little extra toward a photo booth and great DJ and save some by finding a sample sale dress instead of ordering one. It all depends on what’s important to you, but vendors are priced for a reason and you get what you pay for in this industry.
4. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. For some people, they want the big white wedding with all the trimmings. Others might say they want great photos and time with family, and they could skip the tulle. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to have anything at your wedding. If great big centerpieces aren’t your style, skip them and save the money. If you want to pass on the afterparty and end earlier to save on costs, feel free to plan that. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to spend your money a certain way– it should go to what’s most important to you.
Looking for more budgeting tips? Find them here!
