The wedding budget is probably the most difficult yet crucial part of the wedding planning process. It determines just how achievable your wedding vision is and especially when you have so many ideas you want to incorporate in your wedding, and the absolute need to match this with the resources at hand. This can be a daunting task, but one that you must take on with careful consideration and ensure that your day is as beautiful as you have dreamed or at least close.
Sharing a few tips with you to help you stay within your budget is what we want to do in this article.
Have a well-articulated budget with the amount to spend on each item. You will only stay within a budget that you have carefully made and understand. You know exactly how much money you have at hand and what you want to spend it on. Do not leave anything to chance, or assumption. Include everything in detail and account for it all in the budget, even if you need a fresh pair of socks; put it all in.
There is a business principle that when demand is higher than supply, the prices will skyrocket and it is no different in the wedding industry. When everyone is getting married, be sure that whether it’s flowers, food, décor services or a wedding planner’s services you are looking for, you will have to pay some pretty penny for it.
In Kenya we have such seasons when people generally hold their weddings, or any other kind of ceremony for that matter; and that is mostly during school breaks. The months of April, August and December are particularly busy months here in Kenya and known for such a rush. It goes without saying that almost everything you are looking for will be expensive during these periods as business men and women, in the industries relevant to celebrations, are cashing in.
So how about you stay within the budget, or even save a little money for your honeymoon, by choosing to do your wedding in a low or off season. When people aren’t looking or doing things around weddings, you may be able to land on good deals that will make your entire wedding planning a little easier and manageable in addition to the money saving.
Once you have settled on your entire wedding vision and have itemized what will lead to that vision, please do not be swayed. Stick to this as many ideas will spring up, and can easily confuse you or even cause conflict within. If you must change something or anything, ensure that it will not be altering your budget in any way, especially the upward side of the budget. Try and stick to the plan.
I am sure by now you have visited Pinterest umpteenth times, and every time you go there, there is a “perfect”idea; be careful as not to be swayed. Bear in mind that the idea may just come at a hefty cost. No harm being inspired, but stay within your budget boundaries. Don’t overstretch to meet your new goals.
Put an absolute effort on researching and comparing prices as you may just bump into good deals. Don’t be hasty to make down payments on a first sight, first love emotion. Take your time to visit different vendors comparing prices until you settle on a deal that suits your need; who knows that in the searching, you may just bump into unbelievably good deals that may help you save on some good amount of money.
You could find yourselves a good and trusted planner from the get go. Share your wedding vision and budget with them. A good planner knows exactly where to go and for what. This will save you time and a lot of footwork while achieving for you the desired results within your budget. However, keep in touch with the planner to ensure that what is being decided is in line with what you require. The element of trust is key to this relationship between you and the planner so that decisions are made swiftly and no compromise is made in the whole process. Most planners will help you get great deals and negotiate discounts as they are more in touch with the vendors.
Now this is really key. Where you have made partial or full payments, made purchases, where you have added an item it is crucial that you keep tabs on all your spending against what is left and ensure that you are remaining within safe margins of your spending but try to be on the saving side as opposed to the overspending side. But with your hand on the pulse, you will notice the red flags in good time and act accordingly.
While we have echoed that you stay within your budget items, there can be unforeseeable needs or abrupt increase in prices of items you had intended to purchase. In this case some cash set aside will come in handy without sending any of you in a panic mode. So let this be a substantial amount that can fill a significant hole that you may find yourselves in during the planning process. The beauty is that if you are able to stay within budget with no eventualities, this is money that can safely go to your new family kiti or even that honeymoon expense that you may have shelved for lack of resources.
These are tips that may very well help you take care of the notorious budget; and hopefully, keep those unwanted wrinkles at bay during the planning process, so that you maintain your glow for the day you say I DO!