How to Set a Realistic Wedding Budget

Your wedding day is a day that you have been dreaming about for years. You want everything to be absolutely perfect. You can create the perfect day without breaking the bank. You just need to stick to your budget.

Instructions

1. Price the different services that you have available to you. Once you know the average prices for catering, photography, wedding dresses, and the reception center, you can begin to set categories up.

2. Set up categories and limits for each category in your budget. Write these down in a notebook. Give each category a separate page so you can record expenses as you go. You may decide to spend $1000.00 on your wedding dress, but save money on flowers and only budget $200.00.

3. Check to see if your budget categories total the amount you have set for your wedding budget. If not tweak your categories until it does.

4. Record your expenses as you make them. This helps you to stay on budget.

5. Adjust your categories as needed. If you overspend in one category, you will need to transfer money from another category to cover it. Likewise, if you find unexpected savings when you buy your dress, spend more on flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• You can often save money by finding someone who offers a package of services at a discounted price.

• Choose which category is the most important to you. Protect this category and do not take money away from it.

• If you have extra money in a category, you can transfer it into another category or save it up for your honeymoon.