Stay in control with our wedding budgeting tips!

Following the increasing trend of couples cutting back on their wedding plans or postponing their wedding overall, Penelope of Penelope’s Exclusive Weddings has created a list of money-saving tips on how to set your wedding budget without sacrificing style. 
Penelope is the founder of Penelope’s Exclusive Weddings (penelopesweddings.com)…

Top wedding budgeting tips:


1. Set your budget early. Setting the budget should be one of the top priorities; you don’t want to start choosing wedding dresses, visiting venues and start interviewing suppliers while you don’t even know how much you can afford to spend. You might find yourself in a very difficult situation. Can you imagine booking the venue only to realize that you have blown up nearly all the budget?

2. Add an additional 10% on the total budget amount for unexpected expenses.
3. Open a separate bank account. You will have more control on the incomings and outgoings more easily. Don’t be tempted to use your credit card unless you are going to repay the full amount at the end of each month.
4. Start saving. By saving a certain amount as a couple at the end of each month you will be able to cover a respectable amount of your wedding expenditure. 

5. Decide on what is priority and on what you are willing to compromise. Write down the three most important things that you cannot afford not having on the wedding day, the so and so and the least three important ones. Start setting the budget with the must haves on the top. As you progress on the list if you find out that there is no budget for cigars for the male guests then that’s not so big deal isn’t it?

6. Update the budget regularly. Every time you spend something relevant to your wedding the budget must be updated. This is the only way to ensure that you are not going to go overboard.

7. If you overspend on one area then you should deduct the exact amount from another area.  

8. If you are on a tight budget, book your wedding day either on Sunday or during the week; venue hiring fees tend to be cheaper on less popular dates to get married. Avoid the Christmas and Valentines Day, two very popular days for weddings with higher hiring costs. 

9. Don't buy unnecessary things in order to overcome the pre-wedding stress. Small things do add up so be careful.

10. Add personal touch to your wedding by preparing your own wedding favours, invitations or if you are good in baking why not your wedding cake!

11. Not enough money for honeymoon? Have a weekend away instead and have your honeymoon on your first anniversary. Not only you will enjoy it more because probably you are going to be able to stay longer, but also it will be something to anticipate.

12. Have the wedding ceremony as late as possible. Instead of wedding breakfast you will serve buffet dinner. Is cheaper, less staff is needed and the costs will be lower.

13. Invite only the people you know and you have fun with. Remember this is your wedding and not everyone else’s. Celebrate one of the most beautiful days of your life with people you know and you interact with regularly.