Keeping Your Wedding Budget On Track

You´ve dreamed of this day even before you said "Yes!" Envisioning beautiful decorations and dresses make your walk down the aisle seem like a fairy tale. But the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare when you realize that your money doesn´t match the memory you want to create. Beyond searching for ways to stretch every wedding dollar, it´s also helpful to make sure that you´re not over-budgeting on the amount set aside for each item. Otherwise, you might find yourself spending an insane 30% of your budget on stationery just because it is oh-so-cute. Remember, it´s not just what you spend, but how you spend it that matters. Once you´ve determined your overall budget, use these percentages to make sure you are not overspending on certain items.

Reception

Excluding the honeymoon, the reception is the largest portion of the budget, typically accounting for 50%. This includes the food, site rental, bar/beverages and the wedding cake. Savings Tip: Skip the rental fee for the second location by having the wedding and reception at the same place. Consider a lunch affair. The food will be cheaper and the bar tab will likely be less.

Flowers and Decorations

The bridal bouquet, flowers for the wedding party and ceremony as well as centerpieces and decorations for the reception site should total no more than 10% of your total budget. Savings Tip: Use a combination of tall, dramatic centerpieces with low, inexpensive centerpieces alternated on the reception tables. It saves money and creates a beautiful effect. You can also save on reception centerpieces by placing the bridesmaid´s bouquets on the table (they won´t want to carry them around all night anyway.)

Music

Whether you choose a DJ or live music for the ceremony and reception, the cost should equal 10% of your overall budget. Savings Tip: DJ´s are always less expensive than a live band and more versatile, providing music for the entire day for the ceremony, background music during the toasts and dancing music.

Wedding Attire

Attire and accessories for the bride and groom (as well as any alterations, hair, nails and makeup) should account for 10% of the budget. Savings Tip: Besides doing your hair and makeup yourself, you can save by purchasing a pre-owned gown. Depending on the cost of the wedding gown, some bridal shops may offer the headpiece or veil at a discount.

Photography

Set aside 10% for capturing the memories of your special day on film or video. Don´t´ forget to include the costs for engagement photos and the wedding album. Savings Tip: Ask the photographer for proofs only. You can always get copies and enlargements made of specific ones, but you´ll have all the shots to include in your album. For the video, limit the extra editing and ask for a basic edit that will save him time and you money.

Stationery

The costs for paper really start to add up when you consider the save-the-date cards, invitations, enclosures, programs and thank-you notes as well as the escort cards, place cards, table numbers and menus that might be needed at the reception. Not to mention the postage and calligraphy costs. But try to keep it within 4% of the budget. Savings Tip: Have a friend or relative with nice handwriting address the invitations. Consider printing your program on a personalized fan so that it can also serve as a wedding favor.

Miscellaneous Expenses

No matter how well you plan, there are always some additional expenses that must be accounted for, such as wedding rings, attendant´s gifts, marriage license, welcome baskets, rehearsal dinner, gifts to each other, limousines, officiant fees and wedding favors. Allow for 6% to cover these expenses. Savings Tip: A do-it-yourself attitude will help save money on the welcome gifts and rehearsal dinner as family members can provide the food.

It has been said that where your heart is there your treasure will be also. So feel free to make adjustments to accommodate your heart´s desire. As you increase spending in one area, decrease spending on "less important items" to help keep your budget on track. Now that you´re armed with this great information, you can itemize your budget and negotiate from a position of strength to create a wedding that won´t break the bank.

This article was brought to you by My Wedding Favors, a wedding favor store located online at http://www.myweddingfavors.com, specializing in unique wedding favors, wedding shower favors, bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts and wedding accessories to help celebrate your special day.