Being Mindful of Budget Creep in Wedding Planning

I love weddings. I’ve worked more than my fair share of them, and I am always excited to see how each couple’s unique personality comes through in the details of their special day. Even though I love seeing how others enjoy themselves during the wedding—and especially after—one major thing I notice about weddings is that so many people seem surprised and stressed by how much they end up spending on them. It doesn’t have to be this way! You can plan your big day without going into debt or breaking the bank.

As you check off items on your wedding to-do list, you are likely excited to see your vision beginning to take shape.

As the weeks go by and more tasks are completed, it is easy to notice budget creep in wedding planning. 

Budget creep occurs when your planned amount for a particular aspect of the day increases beyond what was initially expected or agreed upon.

To avoid budget creep in wedding planning:

• Set a clear spending limit for each category of expenses and stick to it! 
• Make sure in this budget you don’t just cover the basics, include at least 10% more in each category. 

Identify your priorities and book those items first!

It is important to find a venue that will be comfortable for your guests. The venue should be the right size for the number of guests you expect. It should also be in an easily accessible location and have enough parking spaces available on site. It should also have bathrooms! Don’t overlook basic amenities. Renting a bathroom trailer, a tent or a heater can account for way more than you expected.

Booking the venue, photographer or other vendors with whom you feel the most comfortable takes precedence over choosing the lowest price.

Wedding planning doesn’t have to be expensive, but you must stay organized.

• Before you start wedding planning, set a budget for your entire wedding and stick to it. You may want to consider setting individual spending limits for each item that you plan on buying (e.g., $1,000 on attire—but consider that alterations can be at least $500).
• Be realistic about what you can afford—don’t go over your set budget! Even if people tell you they’ll pay for things like bridesmaid dresses or having their favorite band play at your reception, don’t accept those gifts unless they’re within your budgeted amount. Remember: You could be responsible for paying for this all, sometimes a well-meaning family member or friend’s funds can fall through.
• Make a list of items that are important to YOU and make sure they’re within your budget before proceeding further with any planning decisions (i.e., making sure there’s enough room in the venue).

Wedding planning can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. The key is to stay organized and keep your eye on the big picture. Think about how your day will look when it’s over, because everyone has a different idea of what that means. For some people, it’s an elaborate dance party with all their friends dressed in bright colors; for others, it’s a small gathering with family where they exchange vows and celebrate afterwards by going out for brunch together. Whatever you choose as long as you’re happy there will never be any regrets!