You and your future spouse are still basking in the glow of your engagement.
It’s tempting to go to the retail stores and websites and register for the many gifts that you want.
And, don’t forget, there’s the rush to try on the perfect wedding dress and locate matching wedding bands.
These steps to getting married are exciting, but the voice of reason says you can’t start wedding planning without a good budget.
We love these tips for planning a wedding budget.
1. Vendor budget lines.
It may seem like a no-brainer the vendors that you will need to hire for the wedding and reception.
However, it could be devastating to run out of money when your deposits to vendors are due.
Writing all vendors into your budget in the beginning helps in the long run.
Make budget lines for the wedding official, the florist, the wedding party attire, the marriage license, the wedding venue, the reception venue, the limo, the caterer, the lighting and sound guys, the entertainment, the venue decorations, the photographer and videographer, the service staff, the party favors, and the liquor.
2. Honeymoon budget lines.
If you are having a destination wedding, then you’ve got this covered.
Any other wedding location calls for separate budgeting items for airfare, ground transportation, hotels, meals, sightseeing trips, and gratuities.
You might also plan shopping adventures and meeting up with old friends in your honeymoon destination, such as those European roommates from your semester abroad.
3. Bride and groom budget lines.
These items include many incidentals that you might not perceive as separate expenses.
There is the wedding dress, the groom’s attire, the rings, and clothing, luggage, and accessories for the honeymoon.
You might also need lines for services before the wedding, including spa treatments and vaccinations for overseas travel.
4. Miscellaneous expenses.
After you’ve mapped out the costs of the wedding, the reception, the preparations, and the honeymoon, other expenses can arise.
Plan gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, a tip for the wedding official, and a place to board your pets while you’re away on holiday.
You might also need to park a car at the airport and make a last-minute trip to the tanning salon.
Planning a wedding is exciting, but adding up these budget lines is always sobering.
The wedding glow quickly fades. What begins as a budget for $10,000 could easily climb to $100,000.
If you aren’t rich or having your parents write a check for these expenses, then you have to make tough choices.
You have to choose the number of guests that will help you stay in your budget.
You must adjust your expectations for the wedding and reception venues and the honeymoon destination.
You have to choose vendors that fit your budget. Once you’ve considered these costs, it’s easier to begin negotiations with vendors.
We want to help you maximize your wedding dollars.
As your experts in lighting and sound, we offer estimates for our services and equipment well in advance.
This may require going to look at your venues.
Although you may take your time to negotiate terms with wedding vendors, including lighting and sound providers, we also work directly with wedding planners.
This kind of professional can help you arrange all event details while helping you stick to your budget.
Please bring us all of your concerns for selecting lighting and sound for your wedding events.
For example, if your event takes place during daylight hours, you can eliminate lighting costs and focus on sound and entertainment costs.
We hope that you and your future partner can create a realistic budget and start planning the wedding of your dreams.
This is sure to be a process that will test your skills for negotiation and compromise and bring you closer than ever before.