Beginning to Plan a Wedding on a Small Budget
How to Start Putting Together a Dream Wedding with Less Money
Jun 6, 2009
For many couples, money is an issue when planning a wedding. According to The Wedding Report, a website that chronicles statistics about weddings and the wedding industry, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21, 814. While it is a decrease from previous years, planning a wedding can be a financial burden, but it doesn't have to be.
Make A List, Check It TwiceSit down with the spouse-to-be and make a list of things that absolutely have to be a part of the wedding and reception, such as food and a venue, things that are novelties, and things that you could live without. This makes a couple's priorities clear and prevents any impulse purchases. If neither family drinks, then don't hire a bartender. If flowers aren't that important, but would be nice to have, put them on the novelty list. Make everything on the necessity list a priority, and leave everything else on hold until finances are figured out.
Make A Budget and Stick to ItVery few brides and grooms have access to a blank check when planning the big day, so sit down with whoever is paying for the big day and come up with a grand total. If a couple only has $5,000 to spend, then that's it. Setting an absolute number is better than a range; with an absolute total, couples are less likely to splurge and go over budget than if they had a range of, for example, $10,000 to $12,000.
After the grand total has been set, begin to break down your budget into categories. Decide how much is going to be spent on food, the church, reception site, and dressing everyone. After all of the necessities are taken care of, look at the novelty list and begin to flesh out the rest of the budget. Leave a little room for incidentals, just in case the reception hall is a little more than expected. Just because the money is there doesn't mean it all has to be spent.
Utilize Your NetworkThink about the people within your social sphere. Does someone belong to an organization with a space for a reception? Do you have a friend that is in the catering business? All of these connections could help the couple in finding the best deals for what they want. Connections often have inside knowledge and are able to suggest locations and businesses that may not be advertised elsewhere.
Keeping in mind what is important for a wedding is a great way to start planning while on a budget. By thinking the big day through and by utilizing resources, a wedding can be great and be done on a budget with a little extra leg work.
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