4 Tips to Help You Stay Within Your Wedding Budget

Research shows that 49% of all couples go above budget, but we wouldn't be surprised if that number turns out to actually be higher. Whether you're planning to spend $10,000 or $100,000 on your wedding, no one likes being surprised by unforeseen expenses. The thousands of dollars saved on your wedding could be used on a honeymoon, rent or even a down-payment on a house.

Planning a wedding will be the first time many couples attempt to throw a large celebration. You will need to manage various vendors' payment timelines and prepare for last minute expenses. With all of these details to keep track of, trying to budget for a wedding can seem like a daunting task.

Luckily, here are some simple tips which will help you break down your budget and make sure that your wedding doesn't break the bank! There was too much to say so we created a five part series to explore these tips in depth, so stayed tuned in and subscribe to our newsletter to make sure that you don't miss out!

1. Be Realistic with Your Budget

Talk with your partner about a budget you would both be comfortable with. Determining how you plan to pay for the wedding - be it from your savings, loans, or some outside help - will give you a good sense of what you can realistically afford. Breaking down your overall budget into specific line items will allow you to understand how much you can spend per vendor and where you might want to adjust or prioritize.

2. Prioritize Your Expenses

With all the noise from friends, family, and social media telling you what they think is the most important part of a wedding, it can start to feel like every aspect of your wedding has to be picture perfect. But just remember one thing - it's your special day - meant to celebrate the love between you and your partner, so make it about what's important to you two. Guests will remember how they felt at your wedding, and prioritizing things that help to capture who you and your partner are and the special love you share will make it unforgettable.

3. Be Upfront with Your Vendors

Now that you've worked so hard to finalize your budget, stick to it! Don't be afraid to be upfront about your budget with vendors as you start looking. When you’re honest with your vendors about what you can afford to spend, it actually helps vendors know what they can offer you. Great vendors will work with you to stretch your budget. Your vendors are your wedding day team and they want to make your dreams come true!

4. Negotiate Tactfully

People often shy away from negotiating because they don’t want to offend or devalue a vendor’s work (we definitely don’t recommend haggling with your vendors to drop the price 50%). However, there are ways to negotiate with your vendor so that both parties can optimize the value brought to the table. We’ll be sharing some tips on how to negotiate tactfully in order to maintain a good relationship with your vendor while managing your costs.

In our coming posts, we'll be expanding on the tips above and how they helped our founder save over $15,000 on her wedding. Best of luck, planning pals and stay tuned - you got this!