When it comes to weddings, one thing you can guarantee is that they are not the most wallet friendly. Whether it is a small intimate affair or a huge party with a couple hundred guests, the pennies add up. It is estimated that the average wedding in the UK costs in the region of £17,000. So, what steps can you take when deciding on a budget and ensuring that your stick to it.
MONEY TALKS
Although many believe that talking about money is vulgar, it unfortunately cannot be avoided when planning a wedding. Gone are the days of the bride’s father being left with the financial responsibility of a wedding. Now, the responsibility mainly falls on the couple themselves – so first, you and your future spouse need to decide what kind of wedding you both hope to have (big, small, abroad…). Knowing what you both want will give you an idea of what kind of budget you need. Although they are no longer expected to pay for everything, have the conversation with your parents and future in-laws as to whether the are happy to make a financial contribution. Now is a good time to think about your guest list too. Venues tend to be the biggest cost when planning a wedding; by having a rough estimate of how many people you wish to invite, can give you a better idea of the type of venue to look for.
SAVINGS
Before you start looking up Chateaus and Vera Wang designs, check your bank account and then you can look at methods of increasing your savings:
- Use your existing savings and then decide on an amount to add each month.
- Consider opening a separate bank account – this keeps your money safe and far away from any direct debits or other payments that can eat away your cash. Also, it gives easy access especially when needing to pay deposits.
THE BUDGET
When you have decided on your budget, cut it in half – “Why?” I hear you say. Well as I mentioned earlier, the largest cost of any wedding is the venue. Once you have an idea of how much your venue will set you back, then you can think about how the rest of your budget can be divided: bride and bridesmaids dresses; grooms’, best men, and ushers outfits; flowers for the bridal party and venue, photographer, accommodation that may be required, the rings, the cake etc.,
Be aware of the hidden costs that may sneak up on you: marriage license, hen/stag parties, dress alterations, corkage, gifts for the wedding party and parent – they might not seem like much, but little spends here and there can add up.
GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MONEY
If you are afraid that you might go over your budget, do not fear! There are apps available specifically for wedding budgets – have a google for wedding budget apps and you’ll be spoiled for choice. This is ideal to help you keep track of your spending and help to prevent the risks of going over budget.
Shop around and see what kind of deals are available that can help stretch your budget a little bit further. Look for websites offering cashback on certain goods; credit cards that offer 0% – this is ideal for paying deposits. Remember earlier, we mentioned about opening a separate bank account? Well, you might be able to profit from this as some banks can offer up to £100 if you open a new account with them.
If after all of that you are lucky to have any money left over, you can put that towards the honeymoon of your dreams!