Budgeting

Sticking to your agreed wedding budget can be very hard, as there are people left and right advising you what to buy or not. But you and your partner must stick to your wedding budget, you do not want to go over board and start a new life together heavily burdened in debt.

Once you and your partner have agreed to a certain budget there are a few things you both can do to make sure you both stick to it. But before you both stick to it make sure you both understand and agree to it properly. This practice of budgeting for your wedding will help you later on in your married life to manage your finances together as partners. Stick or put your budget where you can see it easily everyday, somewhere like on the refrigerator or near your bed where it is fully viewable. Make sure you and your partner have a copy each, of the budget. If you need to make any changes on the budget plan make sure you consult each other first.

Try not to add additional expenses to the agreed budget as you will have to also find where that extra money is going to come from. But sometimes even after so much planning, things might have been missed out from the agreed budget, in this case first see if you can compensate at another item on the list for this new expense. Usually there is always a way such as going for a less expensive wedding cake or centrepieces. Make sure any changes to the agreed budget are added on, so nothing is misunderstood and everything is quite clearly understood.

Once you and your partner have agreed and made a budget, get the close family and friends to understand it as well. This might be a bit tricky. As it is usually pressure from close family and friends that usually will lead to you not sticking to your agreed budget. You need to be on your guard for any suggestions that do not agree to your budget. Do not be afraid or feel guilty to say no to something you know will be out of your budget. When close family members or friends give some suggestions say yes if you can but if not then just politely say that it does not fit in with your budget. They might initially get upset but will come round when they realise at the end of the day it is your wedding and your money, so you have to spend it as you see fit. But to avoid awkward dealings with any close members of family or friends it would be best to share your agreed budget to them. That way everyone will be able to avoid any embarrassments. Most people when they know your budget range will not suggest things that are out of your budget range.