| The number one issue that many couples fight about is | | | | real estate, trust funds or saving accounts. |
| money. Tension around money does not necessarily | | | | - Determine if you can expect income from other |
| start after the couple has been married for a few | | | | streams such as friends and family. |
| years. There is a great deal of stress that goes with | | | | - If you're wedding date is set to occur many months |
| planning a beautiful wedding, and money issues can | | | | from now then you might want to consider opening a |
| really add to this tension. It is very important to begin a | | | | high-interest bearing bank account to get a little extra |
| wedding planning budget right at the start of your | | | | income. |
| wedding plans. It is also equally important that a couple | | | | If you will be getting extra finances from other |
| stick to this budget. Failure to do so can result in added | | | | members of your family, then it is important to not |
| stress for years to come. | | | | make unrealistic demands on what they will be offering |
| Planning a wedding without a budget can land you into | | | | you. Keep an open mind and take whatever others |
| some serious financial debt. Although a wedding | | | | are willing to kindly offer you. It is important to not dwell |
| budget does not sound like a glamorous thing, it doesn't | | | | on how much or little they will be contributing to your |
| have to be a bad thing at all. So what is the key to | | | | wedding. Disappointment and anger can only lead to |
| planning a successful budget? As it will be throughout | | | | additional stress that you don't need. |
| your marriage ... honesty, openness and two-way | | | | Make A List |
| communication are an absolute must. | | | | Once you have a better understanding of where your |
| Newly-engaged couples must discuss how each | | | | finances are coming from, you will then be able to see |
| envisions their special day. It is a wrong assumption for | | | | how much you can allocate to various costs. You now |
| the bride to think that the groom-to-be does not care | | | | need to make another list of all the wedding related |
| about the details. It is, after all, the man's special day as | | | | expenses and place a percentage or dollar amount as |
| well, and he does have a family to please also. | | | | to how much you are willing to spend for each item. |
| Getting Started | | | | Some of your expenses may include: |
| After the excitement of being engaged wears off, | | | | - Wedding Dress ($2000) |
| both the bride and groom need to find a quiet place | | | | - Honeymoon ($2000) |
| where they can discuss what is important to each | | | | - Wedding Favors ($2000) |
| other in regards to the wedding day. You not only | | | | - Wedding Reception ($8000) |
| want to talk to your partner about the wedding plans, | | | | - Tuxedos ($1000) |
| but you also want to listen to what they have to say. | | | | - Wedding Invitations ($500) |
| First make a list of the absolute essentials such as: a | | | | - Wedding Cake ($900) |
| caterer, photography, and wedding rings. Then create | | | | - Wedding Music ($800) |
| a list of the extra things that you both want such as: | | | | - Wedding Flowers ($900) |
| arriving in a limo or horse-drawn carriage, a prime-rib or | | | | - Wedding Photography ($600) |
| lobster dinner, a wedding on the beach, flower | | | | - Wedding Decorations ($500) |
| arrangements and other wants. This information will be | | | | - Bridesmaids Dresses ($1000) |
| useful in helping you create your budget. | | | | Laying out each individual item will aid you when it |
| Assessing Your Finances | | | | comes time to contracting out various services. You |
| After you have finalized the list of important items, you | | | | must be aware that if you should exceed you |
| will now need to do some number crunching. | | | | budgeted amount in one category, then you will need |
| Determining your current financial situation is a very | | | | to cut back on costs from another item in order to |
| important necessity in helping to create your budget | | | | keep the budget in balance. |
| and can be broken down into these important steps: | | | | Finally, to help simplify a number of wedding budget |
| - Determine how much you will have to commit to | | | | planning tasks, you may want to consider using a |
| saving from your regular income streams. | | | | wedding budget worksheet, software and the many |
| - Assess how much money you currently have | | | | other automated tools that are available online. |
| access to from various areas such as: stocks/bonds, | | | | |