Are you stressed about staying within your wedding budget? Weddings in Canada can be expensive.
Use this ultimate guide to stress-free wedding planning. Take note of these seven wedding budget strategies to avoid over-spending while still getting everything you want.
1. Keep It Where You Can See It
The old saying rings true: Out of sight, out of mind. If your budget isn’t easily visible, you’ll quickly lose track of how much you planned to spend, and you may find yourself adding in additional features you can’t afford.
Keep a copy posted on your board or fridge so when you do want to make adjustments or double-check costs, you can immediately confirm where you have any wiggle room.
2. Prioritize Your Spending
Think about the most important parts of the day versus those that only feel important to you. You may be eyeing a gorgeous pair of $500 heels, but are you going to wear them after the wedding?
You definitely want to make some parts of your dream wedding come true, but you can no doubt compromise on the rest. Sit down with your spouse and pick a few key items that are really important for the big day, then meet in the middle for everything else.
3. Compare Vendors
Whether you’re looking online or attending bridal shows, there are plenty of wedding vendors to choose from. Be vigilant about costs and do some research before you confirm any one vendor. You might find someone better at a price you like. You’ll never know what you’ll find if you don’t shop around first.
4. Go Green
An easy way to stick to the wedding budget is to cut back on how much paper you use. The price of postage, save the dates, and wedding invitations quickly adds up. Send everyone a digital invite and have them RSVP the same way. Print a small batch of paper envelopes for grandma and other elderly relatives to make sure everyone receives an invite.
You’ll save money and find it easy to keep track of who has responded and who still has to.
5. Cut Back on Favours
Wedding favours are short-lived luxurious that add a nice touch to the wedding, but they’re forgotten shortly after. Instead of handing out individual parting gifts, limit them to one per couple to cut your expense in half.
Do away with outrageous favours and give your guests something simple. Items such as freshly ground coffee beans or bags of popcorn are cute and memorable without breaking the bank.
6. Factor in the Extras
The wedding budget outline always includes the obvious items: the dress, the venue, the caterer, the tuxedo, but it’s unlikely that it includes the minor costs attached to those big-ticket items. This includes costs such as the cake-cutting and corkage fees, tips, and overtime charges.
It’s hard to stay on track when you haven’t planned for these costs to begin with. When you’ve already accounted for the little extras, you’ll find it easier to relax knowing the money is already set aside for those parts of the day.
7. Keep an Open Mind
Don’t get bogged down by the notion of having to have that one invitation pattern or one china set. Whatever it is, remember that you have choices when planning your wedding. Stay upbeat and browse around. You may discover something even better than your first thought.
From the dress to the caterer, if you find a vendor or space but it won’t fit in your wedding budget, take note of the features that you really like and look for those in other places to find one just as great at a more affordable price.
