{"id":36861,"date":"2023-07-14T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T23:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/articles\/set-wedding-budget\/"},"modified":"2023-07-14T17:20:41","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:20:41","slug":"set-wedding-budget","status":"publish","type":"au-article","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/set-wedding-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How to set your wedding budget – and stick to it"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"How
High on the priority list for most couples is a gorgeous wedding venue like\u00a0The Wool Mill<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Knowing how to set a wedding budget can be a tricky task for even the most money-savvy of couples. With seemingly endless wedding must-haves to choose from, it\u2019s easy to get swept away in the romance and excitement, bankcard and all!<\/p>\n

Depending on who you ask, it\u2019s either love or money that makes the world go \u2018round. The art of setting a good wedding budget<\/a> <\/strong>takes a little of both sentiments into account. Read on to learn our favourite tips and tricks for setting your wedding budget, so that you can have your eight-tiered, floral-accented,\u00a0 cake and eat it too.<\/p>\nPlan your wedding budget<\/span><\/a>\n

Know what you\u2019re working with<\/h2>\n

The first step of any budget is knowing what you have to work with. You\u2019ll be taking into account your combined income, plus any wedding specific savings you\u2019ve put away. This is an excellent time to have an initial talk about budget expectations with your partner if it\u2019s not something you\u2019ve discussed already.<\/p>\n

Should you be lucky enough to have extra inclusions to the wedding kitty, such as gifts from parents, now is the time to have direct conversations regarding timelines and dollar amounts. As awkward as it can be to discuss money, you\u2019ll have peace of mind knowing that all cards are on the table.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that it\u2019s not recommended to include extra cash infusions if they aren\u2019t set in stone. While an extra hefty tax return, Christmas bonus, or (dare we say it) lotto win would be a welcome addition, you don\u2019t want to be short on your budget if the amount you were expecting doesn\u2019t come through.<\/p>\n

If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution. It’s better to have a little moolah left for a honeymoon fund than to be wondering where it all went.<\/p>\n

Set up a money tracker<\/h2>\n

Deposits, scheduled payments, and deadlines\u2026 it\u2019s a lot<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The easiest way to keep track of all wedding-related outgoings is with the Easy Weddings\u2019 budget calculator<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s a specialised tool, specifically built for weddings, which works seamlessly with other Easy Weddings planning tools<\/a><\/strong>. Plus, it\u2019s completely free \u2014 see, you\u2019re already making good budgeting decisions!<\/p>\n

Other options include spreadsheets for the computer literate, or, if old school pen and paper is your vibe, a binder divided by vendor will do the trick.<\/p>\n

It’s all about finding the right tools for you and then using them honestly and consistently.<\/p>\n

\"Frosty
Don\u2019t forget to budget for sweet treats! Photo:\u00a0Frosty Cakes Co<\/a>, SA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Research, research, research<\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve decided how you\u2019re going to track your wedding budget<\/strong><\/a>, you\u2019ll need to populate it with potential products and services. That way you can start researching what things roughly cost, so you\u2019re not tripped up by assumptions.<\/p>\n

This is the fun part! Let your imagination run wild. An ice sculpture made in your likeness? Why not! A champagne tower? We\u2019re in. Explore all the options with an open mind as you begin to craft your wedding vision.<\/p>\n

Drop by Easy Weddings\u2019 supplier directory<\/a><\/strong>, where you can request quotes from within the site. For guidance from your nearest and dearest, ask the opinions of your friends who have recently married \u2014 trust us, they\u2019ll love the opportunity to share their wisdom, contacts, and wedding planning anecdotes.<\/p>\n

\"Belle
Photo: Belle Le Chic<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Make some key decisions and form your priority list<\/h2>\n

Now that you have all of the information and inspiration you could wish for, it\u2019s time to make some key decisions. Would you consider a long, leisurely engagement to save some extra cash, or is time of the essence? How many guests, and will they be bringing plus ones?<\/p>\n

Sitting down with your partner to have the dreaded budget chat can often be quite daunting. To help you get started, our resident wedding specialist Darcy Allen has put together some helpful budget discussion points<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Adopt a “rocks before pebbles” approach to prioritisation. Tackle your wedding budget by factoring in the deal-breakers or \u2018rocks\u2019 first. What are your must-haves? For most couples the wedding cornerstones will make up the rocks: a venue you love, delicious food and beverages, and a celebrant to make it official! The pebbles (services you place a lower level of importance on) can be factored in after to adapt to the remaining budget.<\/p>\n

Your venue will likely be one of your pricier wedding costs. If you\u2019re getting married in peak season, expect to pay more, whereas another time of year may bring good discounts. Setting your wedding day for a Friday can also help the pocket. You\u2019ll also need to decide on your style, say formal elegance versus casual charm, as this will be a big-budget consideration.<\/p>\n

Be open with your partner about what\u2019s important to you in your budget<\/a><\/strong>. For example, if you have a wedding photographer whose work you\u2019ve always admired, but you\u2019re not a sweet tooth, you might consider cutting back your desserts budget to accommodate a higher photography pricepoint.<\/p>\n

\"Eerik
A rainy day wedding fund for unexpected expenses is never a bad idea.<\/em> Photo: Eerik Sandstrom, VIC<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Put it all together!<\/h2>\n

Congratulations, you\u2019ve done the groundwork. Now it\u2019s time to put it all together! This should be a relatively painless, even satisfying process.<\/p>\n

Thanks to your thorough research, you\u2019ll know how much money you have to spend, what you need to include, how much things will roughly cost and what things have to stay and could be omitted if finances demand it.<\/p>\n

Use your budget<\/a><\/strong> planner on hand for this process. It will make the perfect guide for the really fun part: locking in your vendors and starting the collaborative wedding planning<\/a><\/strong> process.<\/p>\n

\"Panache
Budget for the little expenses \u2014 like confetti!<\/em> Photo: Panache Photography,\u00a0 SA<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some extra budgeting tips & tricks<\/h2>\n