Wedding costs are certainly exorbitant, but sticking to your wedding budget and still fulfilling all your dreams for the big day is not impossible! It takes careful planning, choosing the right vendors, flexibility, and communication!

The journey of planning your wedding is full of excitement, love, anticipation, and inevitably, stress over your budget. Setting a wedding budget and sticking to it is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of planning your big day.

So much goes into the vision of your wedding but when those visions materialize, they may be much more expensive than you thought they would be. So how do you plan your dream wedding and still stick to your budget?

Read on to find out how to set and stick to your wedding budget while also having the wedding of your dreams.

How to Stick To Your Wedding Budget

Every wedding takes an enormous amount of planning, and sticking to your wedding budget takes a lot of time and care throughout the process. Lucky for you, Kendall Point is here to help!

1. Picture Your Ideal Wedding

Picturing your ideal wedding will be your foundation. Lay down what are non-negotiables for you and your spouse and build from there. Think of it as your north star, your guiding light, to your perfect wedding day.

Are you not negotiating on your wedding venue? Do you have dream wedding favors and desserts? Build around the things you will not wiggle on so you know where you have room in the budget.

2. Set Your Wedding Budget Early

It’s pointless to get knee deep into wedding costs and only then create your budget. Plan your budget before making commitments to vendor contracts or other wedding expenses.

Sit down and have an open dialogue with your future spouse and any other family members who are contributing to your wedding. This will give you a good starting point to create a wedding that satisfies you and your budget.

3. Comprehensive Budget Breakdown

Instead of looking at the money you have on hand for your wedding budget, break down the money into sections. Spread them across various categories such as wedding venue, wedding attire, food and beverage, service fees, and costs incurred by the wedding party, and anything else that encompasses your wedding expenses.

It’s up to you and your partner to decide how to allocate these funds and whether you’re leaving yourself some wiggle room. Also discuss unexpected costs such as your first choice caterer costing more than you originally thought and you need to redistribute funds.

4. Prioritize Your Expenses

This ties in with your non-negotiables. Identify the elements of your wedding budget that are the most important to you and your partner. Allocate a larger portion of the budget to these areas, and pad them with extra funds if needed. That way you won’t feel as though you’re short changing the secondary preferences of your wedding.

5. Research Your Vendors

Research and compare vendors before settling on anyone. Some venues will require vendors from their list but usually have at least a few to choose from.

Work with your venue on your options since they have worked in the industry for a long time and will be able to point you in the right direction of vendors that fit your style and budget.

6. Be Realistic & Flexible

Be realistic about your wants versus your needs. Do you really need a custom crystal chandelier etched with photos of you in crystal? OK we made that up, but there certainly are other extravagant expenses that are not a necessity.

Have you always dreamed of a Saturday night wedding but a Friday wedding at your venue is thousands of dollars cheaper and would keep you in your budget? Consider Friday and be flexible!

Those weddings are no less fun than a Saturday wedding!

7. Track Your Expenses Carefully

Maintaining a meticulous record of all of your expenses will ensure that you stick to your budget. You will need to track every penny and regularly review these expenses with your partner for a collective responsibility to your budget. Did you pick up bubbles at the dollar store? That counts so mark it down!

8. Be Strategic in Your Wedding DIY 

If you choose to DIY some of the projects of your wedding, select them strategically. This can help you maintain options that are feasible and cost effective.

You don’t want to overwhelm yourself by attempting too many DIY projects because they can lead to stress and also last minute (unplanned) expenses for your budget.

9. Communicate Clearly with Your Vendors

Establishing your clear budget with vendors will help you tremendously. Gone are the days where not talking about money is considered the polite thing to do.

Lay down what you can and cannot spend, and your vendors will work with you and within your budget. Make sure they are aware and are willing to suggest cost effective alternatives. If they aren’t willing to work with you, it’s time to find another vendor.

10. Have a Contingency Plan for Unexpected Costs

Always have a contingency plan for unexpected costs (and tipping your vendors!). Having a contingency fund allows you to handle any surprises without completely overhauling your total budget.

This also allows you to pull from these funds at the end of planning if there’s something extra you want and you have money leftover in your overall budget.

A Budget Is Crucial For Wedding Planning

Setting and sticking to a wedding budget is a very important part of your journey to the aisle. It’s not merely about managing finances but it’s a way to ensure the start of your wedded bliss does not compromise your future by going into insurmountable debt.

By using the tips above, you’ll be equipped to navigate the finances of planning your wedding so that you’re set up for success throughout the planning process. By prioritizing, planning, and sticking to your budget, you’ll not only create the perfect day for you and your partner, but you’ll also be able to begin your marriage on solid financial footing.

If you’re ready to start planning your dream wedding, look no further than Kendall Point! Book your today (virtual or in-person) today!