Keeping Your Wedding On Budget

Budgeting for a wedding is difficult because it involves so many tough choices. Most couples overshoot their budget, but a wedding doesn’t have to be unbearably expensive. The average Australian wedding is approaching AUD$40,000. If that doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for you, the best time to control your costs is early in the planning stages.

First, determine how much money you’ll have to spend on the wedding. If you’re a disciplined saver and can stand to wait for a year or more, you may be able to budget for a more expensive evening. If you’re on a short planning cycle, simpler is better.

After you’ve figured out how much money you’ll have to spend on the wedding, create a “cushion” to accommodate cost overages. If you have $15,000 to spend, aim for expenses around $13,500. Once you hit that 90% mark of your established budget, you’re in the spending “danger zone.” Your major expenses should be covered in full by this point. If not, you’ll need to make some hard decisions.

The reception is usually the most expensive element of a wedding, so this is most likely where you’ll lose your budget if you’re not careful. Plan out your guest list according to what your budget will bear. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is a great way to keep the budget in line.

The wedding dress is another budget buster. Designer wedding gowns can be expensive. If the truth be told, all brides look beautiful on their wedding day. A simpler gown or a designer knock-off can look just as fabulous for one-third the cost.

If the budget won’t take it, don’t get caught up in the trap of meeting all of the “standards” for a wedding. There are none! Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’re going to have to live with the consequences of over-spending. Prioritise the things that are important to you, then use your priorities to guide your wedding expenses.

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

Add to: