10 Great Ways to Stick to Your Wedding Budget

Planning a wedding can seem like an extremely overwhelming task in general, so beginning the process by working out your budget is the best way to start (and keep) you on the right track. This topic can sometimes be a sensitive one to discuss, but it is crucial in reducing stress and enjoying the entire process along the way. We have helped make this task a little easier for you by listing 10 great ways to stick to your wedding budget. You can thank us later!

1. Set your budget

It is useful right at the get-go to set the budget (a realistic one!). You should begin by looking at your finances, both your savings and your earnings in the months ahead. Checking what other commitments are coming up is also helpful for budgeting, as is confirming if family will be contributing or whether you might need to consider a loan. No matter what figure you land on - whatever works financially for you will surely be enough to throw the best wedding ever.

2. Allocate a contingency

Once you have a solid idea of what your budget is, we would recommend you taking around 10% - 15% off the final figure and moving it to a separate contingency fund. Additional costs can creep up quickly thanks to price increases over time or last-minute extras, so having this money set aside could help you out a huge amount. It’s incredibly reassuring to know it’s there if you need it, and if it’s not spent on the wedding, it can go towards your long-awaited honeymoon!

3. Consider your guest list

When it comes to sticking to a budget the guest list can be a huge consideration. If you have a more modest budget then the most realistic option would be to have a smaller number of guests. The more guests you have the bigger the venue, more food, drinks and extras etc. If there are some guests that you simply can’t bear not inviting, consider asking them to the evening reception only, keeping the day event exclusively for your nearest and dearest.

4. Book the venue and other key vendors first

The venue is going to take quite a substantial chunk off your budget, so conducting thorough research before getting stuck into viewing venues in person may be a good place to start! On average, couples tend to spend around 10-15% of their budget on the venue hire, so remember to factor in additional costs for catering, decorating and other extras that will need to be considered if they’re not already included in your chosen venue’s fee.

5. Consider an off-peak wedding

It’s worth noting that wedding venue hire costs can vary dramatically depending on the day of the week and the time of year that you book. If you are sticking to a strict budget, consider reducing one of the biggest costs without surrendering your dream venue by compromising on the date. Choosing an autumn or winter wedding on a day in the week opposed to the weekend could alleviate your budget massively.

6. Use more tech and less paper

Wedding necessities such as invitations can be a huge additional cost to your budget that you may not have set aside. So why not head in the digital direction and use tech? There are so many options from Google docs for planning to wedding websites for organising and inviting guests. These are great ways to reduce your costs whilst still allowing a personal touch linking to your special day.

7. Supply your own food / drink

If you’ve fallen head over heels for a blank canvas venue that doesn’t have their own set suppliers, this could turn out to be a huge advantage. Researching and sourcing your own catering vendor or buying the fizz in bulk for the reception can keep you in control of all the additional fees, and therefore keep you within budget.

8. Make your own!

Decorating a venue can be as grand or as simplistic as you desire but, in most cases, it can take a substantial amount out of your money pot if you are hiring lots of items for the day / weekend. So, why not go full DIY and get crafting? Head to Pinterest for some serious wedding inspiration and do some research into what can be created with your friends and family’s help. This could be a really fun part of wedding planning, and it is amazing what you can create with a little imagination.

9. Decide what your priorities are

When it comes down to the details, it is important to work out what is important to you, both as a couple and as individuals, and what elements you may have to let go of. When sticking to a budget, tough decisions and compromises may need to be made along the way. Regardless, you will still have the perfect wedding for you and it will be just as special, with or without the fancy sweetshop bar.

10. Don’t panic!

Planning and sticking to a budget can at times add pressure to such a big, important and exciting life event. However, if you are both savvy, budget-aware and remember cost-saving details you will be all set for your wedding to come in on budget and to go off without a hitch. Spend some decent time together plotting and planning at the beginning and the rest will fall into place naturally.