When the initial engagement excitement starts to wind down, it’ll soon be time to start planning your wedding day. Many couples set themselves a strict budget and look at what they want to prioritise to make their day special.
Perhaps you have your heart set on a diamond ring to symbolise your commitment to your new spouse, then you may want to consider items you can save money on to allow room in your budget for your dream wedding band.
Where to start
Planning a wedding can seem daunting at first glance. With so many suppliers and questions. But the first thing you need to do with your fiancé is plan your budget. Without a budget you cannot start hiring suppliers. Also, try to be realistic with your expectations. Whilst setting out your budget, do your research to see how much things cost and how far in advance you need to book.
With UK weddings costing couples an average of £18,400, ask yourself: “what do we want to save on and what do we want to spurge on?”.
Keepsakes that last a long time such as the rings and photography may be worth paying a little extra for as these are the things that stay with you forever. Whereas items like dresses, flowers, and cake only last for one day, meaning you might not want to spend as much.
Create a guest list
Creating a guest list will determine the size of your wedding. Remember you will have to get a venue to fit the size of your wedding and you will need to feed everyone. Create lists of your potential guests in priority order; is there any way of reducing the guest list?
A good rule of thumb is if you’re ever unsure on inviting somebody, it probably means you don’t really want to invite them anyway. If this is the case, it’s best to keep them off the list completely or only invite them to the evening do.
Choosing your suppliers
From entertainment to decorations, the list of wedding suppliers is endless. Remember your wedding day is all about you and what you want.
Make a list of the must-have, where you feel you can’t save on budget – perhaps you’re both foodies so you’ll want to prioritise on catering, or you’ve always dreamed of a floral wonderland so flowers are key.
You can save money by getting crafty and making your own decorations, signs and seating plans. You can also save on wedding stationery by using email correspondence instead of printed invitations and RSVPs.
Whatever way you decide to plan and budget for your wedding, remember it’s your special day. Enjoy the planning process and don’t get too bogged down with the finer details; prioritise everything that is important to you and the rest will fall into place.
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