Budgeting – Most Decisions
Are Based on Your Budget

How much do you plan to spend on your wedding? Did you know that the average cost of a wedding is $22,000 [latest posting by San Diego Wedding Pages, June 2003]. You can have a beautiful wedding for $5,000 or $10,000 and can have just as much fun.  Here are three steps to managing a successful wedding budget.

STEP 1. Commit to spend two solid hours--uninterrupted--to create your wedding budget. Start by listing as many items as you can just from the top of your head (including cost estimates) until you get a pretty complete list of everything you want for your wedding. Add it all up--don't worry if you are over budget right now; all budgets take several makeovers. Don’t forget the little items, such as tips for flower delivery, catering manager, bartender, valet parking attendants, hotel attendants, limo drivers, etc. Also fees for parking, postage for all invitations, RSVP and save-the-date cards, any overtime services, and another pair of new shoes (well, why not?). Add the amount of money available.

STEP 2. Prioritize your list; both you and your fiancée should prioritize together, and then take the list to your parents or whoever is helping pay for your wedding.  Finalize the list--deleting the bottom items--until you hit your budget mark. 

STEP 3. Take the time to compare your spending to your planned budget. You will see that adjustments are needed all the time, and that it is very easy to spend more than you originally planned. 

This article is by Sally Manglicmot, the owner and creator of Weddings A Breeze 'Wedding Planning and Organizer Kit'. This wedding planning software and organizer kit is easy to use, affordable and a great time saver.