By the time that you are reading this, you are probably bombarded with a lot of questions in your mind. Aside from the fact that you are flying high with ecstatic visions of a blissful wedding, the responsibilities that come with wedding preparations may overwhelm you a lot. As the days go nearer leading to the big day, the anxiety gets bigger and more real, especially in the budgeting department.
Fret no more, because we have narrowed down some helpful tips in pulling off a budget-wise yet intimate wedding celebration for you.
1. What kind of wedding do you really want?
It is best to determine the type of wedding, to begin with. When you envision your wedding, what do you see? A sacred ceremony at the church? An intimate exchange of vows in the garden? Or a spontaneous celebration at the beach during sunset? If you need a little more inspiration to pump up your creativity, think about all the weddings that you attended before, seen on television, scrolled through on Pinterest, and the like. However, do not get all fed up with all the details just yet. The goal here is to focus on how you feel about the type of wedding that you want to consider.
2. Have the “talk”.
Both parties who will shell out money for the wedding need to have a serious, sit-down conversation about setting a total budget. In this way, you will become well aware of the types of services to avail of and vendors to negotiate with. While setting a budget surely is a tricky task, it is a lot easier if you could do a breakdown into categories and figuring out what percentage to devote to each category. Say, for example, 55% goes to the reception, 12% for the ceremony, and so on. Also, this might be your first experience budgeting together with your future spouse, what a priceless experience, right? Learning the importance of honest and open communication in the money department is going to lay the groundwork for managing your finances once you are married.
Read: How Much is Too Much in a Wedding Guest List?
3. What is non-negotiable?
Once you have made the percentages, take time with your fiancé to contemplate on the things that are nonnegotiable for your wedding. This can start with coming up with a top-three must-haves for your big day. They can be a garden ceremony, an outdoor reception, or a live jazz band – anything you deem is VERY important to the both of you.
4. Make room for allowance
Once you have set a wedding budget, it is best if you could give it a little allowance too. As we all know, there will be unexpected expenses along the way and your budget will determine how well you could attend to such expenses. Take these expenses into consideration by putting the extent of range into your budget. This way, you have the flexibility to handle any sudden expenses. Lastly, your wedding celebration is a huge event that demands extensive planning, that is why it is helpful to determine what you can get for a certain dollar amount. What does $5000 get you? How about $10,000? $15,000?
Read: Things You May Have Forgotten in Your Wedding Budget
5. Determine your venue wisely.
Considering the reality that the venue eats up the largest chunk of your budget, a simple outdoor venue can do the trick for you. If you are a couple who does not mind having a very simple yet intimate reception, you can host this ceremony at your home, your parent’s home, or a park nearby. The point is, an outdoor ceremony in your own space creates a personal meaning that eliminates the need for a grand, elaborate one.
Read: What to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue
6. Contingency is key.
If you do decide to have an outdoor event, make sure to have at least three backup plans in case things do not work in your favor. The unpredictable weather can dampen your day, so make sure that you come up with a handy plan B or equip the place for it to become rain-proof.
Mimi Ebichi Events give utmost value to your celebrations – whether big or small. We not only plan your big day, but we also make sure to provide a contingency plan for the most unexpected events along with the preparations. For our team, your hard-earned money deserves a celebration that is worth the memories and a lifetime.