HOW TO STICK TO YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
“HOW TO STAY WITHIN YOUR WEDDING BUDGET”
PTA Wed
As Calgary wedding photographers, we frequently hear that most couples admit to spending more money than they intended to on their wedding. That doesn’t mean you can’t stick to a spending plan! Many couples overspend because unexpected costs aren’t factored in at the start, and they can quickly add up. Check out our budget-friendly tips below. First and foremost, hiring an experienced wedding planner can greatly simplify your life!
1. CREATE A BUDGET SYSTEM THAT SUITS YOU.
Identifying the type of budget system that works best for you is half the battle. If you don’t have a wedding planner, there are some fantastic free options available online! These online calculators will assist you in determining how much you should spend on key items such as gifts, food, music, and so on. These calculators can also assist you in keeping track of current payments and due dates. Create an excel spreadsheet with calendar reminders at the very least.
2. ALLOW FOR HIDDEN COSTS IN YOUR BUDGET
Make an effort to plan ahead of time for all potential hidden costs. This allows you to cover everything in your budget. Several items that sneak up on couples are listed below:
OVERAGE CHARGES
If you’re having a good time, you might not notice how quickly the minutes pass. Overage charges will apply to vendors such as the DJ, videographer, and photographer, so plan ahead of time and budget a little wiggle room in case of wedding day delays. If you don’t end up needing it, you’ll be fine after your wedding!
VENDORS WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND On your wedding day, there are a plethora of vendors who go above and beyond. Even minor tips can quickly add up, so planning for them ahead of time ensures that there are no unpleasant surprises later on.
TRIALS FOR HAIR AND MAKEUP
Because they must charge for their time and product, most wedding vendors do not provide free trials. Remember to budget ahead of time for hair and makeup to avoid surprises later on. =
EXTRAS MISCELLANEOUS
There are numerous details that are easy to overlook or forget about prior to a wedding. Stamps for your stationery may be more expensive if you have a full invitation suite, gift packaging, vendor travel fees, and so on. All of these small expenses add up over time, so budgeting for them from the start prevents surprises later on.
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3. PLAN TO EXCEED YOUR BUDGET
What are you saying now? Yes, we did say it. You will not go over budget if you plan ahead of time for overages. Take 5-7 percent of your budget and set it aside for any “unforeseen” expenses. Sometimes a couple decides to change the florals or the menu a month before the wedding, or perhaps another guest needs to be invited. Planning ahead of time ensures that you have wiggle room.
Umbrellas, blankets to keep guests warm, heaters, air conditioners, or shade, and drinks if it’s hot.
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4. BE AWARE WHEN IT COMES TO TRACKING YOUR WEDDING SPENDING.
There are so many great money-saving tips available online for free! As an example, keep a separate account for all wedding-related expenses (or credit cards). This prevents you from spending a few dollars here and there from your personal accounts. It also makes long-term tracking easier because you won’t have wedding expenses mixed in with day-to-day expenses. Make sure that everyone who makes wedding-related purchases is using the same system. You won’t miss out on any rewards if you’re collecting credit card points for your honeymoon this way!
