Wedding Budget - Raleigh, NC.

Let’s face it: when it comes to wedding planning, there are so many fun and fabulous ways to spend money. However, the wedding budget is probably the least fun component of planning a wedding. But the more you know upfront about your financial outlook, the more comfortable and equipped you’ll be at making important decisions before the big day.

We highly recommend hiring a wedding planner to help you stay on budget, check out some Raleigh Wedding Planners in our vendor guide.

· Have an honest discussion about who is paying. It’s best to know upfront who is contributing to the cost of your wedding. Will it be you and your fiancé, or will the family contribute, as well?

· Then, look at your finances. If you and your fiancé are shouldering the cost of your wedding, be honest with yourselves about how much you can afford and what you’re willing to pay. Also, be sure of how you will pay for these items and at what cost (i.e. credit cards versus cash).

· Think about the kind of wedding you want to have. Do you envision a low-key event with a lot of DIY touches? Are you gravitating towards a high-end luxurious affair? Consider the ideal location, style, décor and size. Keep this idea in mind as you begin to research vendors and weigh the costs.

· Create a guest list and be realistic. One thing that dictates the budget more than anything else is the number of guests. Put careful thought into how many invitations you’re going to extend and stay firm. Don’t add more guests later thinking it’s just “one or two” because those extras will add up quickly.

· Agree on the essentials and make a list. All couples have those items they could spend more money on and items they could do without. Talk to your partner about what it is you both want most for your wedding, especially when it comes to big ticket items. Are you willing to spend more on the catering because you’re foodies? Or, on the photography because it’s long-lasting?

· Estimate and reevaluate. Get estimates up-front on as many of the items on your wish list as you can. Then, compare notes and see where you can save. If the price gives you sticker shock, reevaluate how much you want it.

· Keep your budget up-to-date and organized. Everyone has a method: a planner, a spreadsheet, sticky notes, budget apps, etc. Do whatever is necessary to stay on top of your budget and keep it as current as possible.

· Research ways to save. If you hit a snag and are conflicted about what to keep and what to give up, research ways to save on wedding essentials.

· Prepare for the unexpected. There will come a time where you will be hit with a surprise expense. The alterations may cost more than you thought. You had a typo on your save-the-dates and had to reorder. You forgot to include the groom’s cake. Give yourself cushion in the budget, just in case.

With all of the trends, styles, and tastes in the wedding industry, you can have a chic, entertaining and memorable event without being a famous celebrity. Just exercise your research muscles and you’ll be sure to find plenty of ways to have the wedding of your dreams on a realistic budget.

Credits: Keepsake Memories Photography

Creating a Wedding Budget