Keeping Your Wedding Budget In Check You can have your cake and eat it too; if it’s in the wedding budget that is! From the very beginning, having a clear budget for your wedding is a necessity because it not only keeps everyone on the same page, it also gives you some parameters in order to prioritize what areas are the most important to you as a couple. There are scads of great wedding budget tools out there to get you started. Keep in mind, there can be a few things that most budget templates leave off: such as, delivery fees, rental usage/maintenance fees, and shipping costs for all of those must-haves you found on Amazon or Etsy. Here are some tips to keep your budget in check throughout the planning process and to avoid any stress when it comes to paying for everything that you’ve booked. 1. Create the budget before you book your venue: Couples who booked the venue before creating the overall budget can find that, either due to the venue not providing the same amenities that others do, or maybe not fully looking at the per person cost overall, can quickly dictate the remainder of the budget. 2. Estimate food and beverage: If you have your mind set on a china package for dinner service make sure that you have discussed not only the food costs but any additional labor and fees with your caterer at your estimated guest count. This will tell you if you need to scale back on a less elaborate appetizer display or maybe select disposables instead of china. When serving alcohol, talk to your planner or to your caterer if you do not have a designated bartending company so that you can start putting some estimates together for alcohol quantities including ice, cups, and the set-up for kegs or other bar supplies. 3. Read your invoices and contracts carefully: This will ensure you have a good understanding of what is included and what isn’t. If you are comparing two catering quotes, be sure to look 42
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at the food cost vs. labor cost and whether service, gratuity or taxes are included. Another example is that if you are planning to hire a band and their contract states that certain additional equipment, such as a stage or generator is required for power; you may want to make certain that you have enough in your budget to cover any additional items. 4. Plan for all that “other” stuff: This includes water bottles or a beverage station for ceremony guests, sunscreen and bug spray for outdoor weddings, perhaps votive candles that aren’t included with your decor rentals, printing some of your engagement photos for your welcome table, etc. By keeping some additional money available for miscellaneous items, you will be prepared over the last few weeks for all the small details. 5. Say no to anything that doesn't jive with what you envision for your day. If you do not care for wedding favors or a lot of extra decor, then do not think twice about scratching it off the list and keep it simple! Once you have the budget together and some general quotes/invoices; start tracking your deposits and payments as you reserve your date. Then if you would like to start making payments on the bigger items that are not guest count specific, such as your venue, photographer, Photo Booth, etc...You will be slowly paying things off ahead of time. If you have a wedding planner, you can meet periodically to discuss budget and ensure that everything is on track and know that you are prepared for each next step along the way.
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VERONICA ENNS
Veronica Enns is the co-owner of The 530 Bride. The 530 Bride team offers wedding planning and design services in Northern California. Learn more about their services and helpful planning tips on their blog The530bride.com