You've been waiting for this moment your entire life. Now, it's finally here; it's your big day! Time to start planning!
Planning a wedding comes with many ups and downs. You never truly know how much goes into wedding planning until it's your turn to start planning one. You'll need to consider the guest list, the venue, the food, and, of course, your budget.
What does your budget look like and how will you be sure to stick to it? Can you get the wedding of your dreams with your budget? Of course, you can!
The most important things to avoid, however, are wedding budget mistakes. Making even the smallest mistake when it comes to your budget could send the entire planning process into pure chaos. We're going to make it our duty to ensure you avoid this at all costs.
Continue reading below for our guide on the most common wedding budget mistakes you'll want to avoid.
1. Not Creating an Outline
Weddings can get expensive, and a wedding budget outline is the best way to ensure there are no surprises along the way.
You know the main big-factor costs to budget for, such as the wedding dress and the venue, but there are so many other things to consider as well. All of those small details like the decorations, the centerpieces, napkins and cups, the music, your shoes, and so much more add up quickly.
When you create your wedding budget outline, you can write down the main costs to focus on and then all the small things that fall under that same category. As you get further into the planning process, you'll find that more things might come up that you can then add to your outline.
Don't hesitate to ask friends and family for help with the outline as well.
2. Spending Too Much On One Thing
Another budget mistake that's commonly made is placing a large amount of money on one specific part of the wedding. Even if you're able to save money on one area of your wedding, don't take this as a reason to spend more on another.
Hidden costs can surprise you at any time, and you'll want that money to be there as a cushion. For example, if you spend a large amount of money on a venue that doesn't include the price of chairs, tables, table cloths, and other necessities in the total cost, then you could land over your budget quite quickly.
If you want to splurge in one specific area of the wedding planning, then be sure it includes many of those small details we spoke about earlier.
3. Failing to Research Estimated Costs
When you create your budget outline, you want to include every single small detail you can. When you do this, be sure to research the estimated cost for each item as well. It would be a big mistake to not give yourself a good idea of what you'll need to spend on each item.
You might have an idea in your head about how much each item will cost you, but you need solid numbers. To get an accurate number, contact a few different suppliers for the same item on your list and create an estimate that you can rely on.
4. Not Finalizing the Guest List First
Before you can even begin to plan for anything, you need to know how many people you're planning for. A big mistake would be to start creating estimates for food, a venue, tables, and decorations if you're not sure how many people will be attending.
The amount of people who attend your wedding has a big impact on how much you'll need to spend on all of these things. It's also a good idea to plan for more people than less when creating your guest list. Always overestimate rather than underestimate.
5. Not Making a List of Priorities
Your budget might not have room to include everything you want in your wedding. Because of this, it's a great idea to make a list of priorities. What aspects of your wedding are most important?
These are the things you want to ensure your budget covers first. What things are you okay with not having at your wedding or can compromise on? Create this list and use it as a tool to help you navigate your spending.
6. Not Finding a Way to Keep Track of Spending
Your budget outline is a great starting point to know what you need to budget for, but you also need to remember to find a way to keep track of your spending as well. Each time you spend money on something, be sure to write it down and know exactly how much money is left in your budget.
You should also be aware that many of the suppliers you work with will only take a deposit from you at the current moment and then request the rest of the amount due on a later date. Keep track of these dates and amounts to ensure you're not hit with any surprises.
7. Not Asking for Help When Needed
The last mistake you can make in regards to your wedding budget is not asking for help when needed. This doesn't always mean asking family or friends for money. This could mean asking friends or family for help with creating your budget outline and sticking to it.
Maybe this means having a friend help you find affordable suppliers or finding a company that offers wedding loans. If you're in need of help, ask for it. It's your big day, and you deserve to have the wedding of your dreams.
Be Sure to Avoid These Wedding Budget Mistakes
When it's time to plan your big day, be sure to avoid these wedding budget mistakes. Use the tips listed above to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Contact us today and give yourself some peace of mind!