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Unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees. So at some point you'll have to harness your wildest wedding imaginations to the reality of a budget. Making some smart decisions up front can help keep costs under control.
Here are some of our favorite budgeting dos and don'ts.
DO...
Decide what's important to you
Chances are you can't have everything, so prioritize. Always wanted to feel like a princess? Get that elaborate dress. Do you and your friends love to party? Splurge on an open bar and a great DJ or band.
Limit your guest list
The higher your guest count, the higher your overall food, drink, favor, and location expenses. Who do you really want to share your wedding with?
Pay attention to the small things; they add up
When selecting invitations, avoid oversized envelopes and pay regular postage. Borrow the toasting glasses. Give your guests just 1 entrée selection. Think about renting a wedding gown. A couple hundred dollars here and there, adds up to thousands in the end.
Do things yourself
Odds are you know some talented people, including yourself. Think about making your own favors, addressing your own envelopes, or having an organized friend be your coordinator. Don't be afraid to harness your family and friends' skills to help cut costs.
Be flexible on the flowersChoose flowers that are in season and ideally, grown locally. Avoid roses and orchids, as they are always pricey. If you have to have the perfect type of flower and color, you may find yourself paying for imported flowers from South America.
Consider an earlier wedding time
Food and beverage costs at the reception are normally the biggest wedding expense. You will find location, alcohol and food expenses are usually more reasonable in the morning.
DON'T...
Don't skimp on the honeymoon
It's easy to forget about the honeymoon in the excitement of planning your big day. Keep in mind, the wedding is just 4 or 5 hours, where the honeymoon can be an amazing week of playing.
Don't spend too much on your wedding and regret it later
This might sound obvious; however, budgets and weddings seem to get bigger and more expensive as the day grows closer. Make a realistic budget and stick to it. Avoid the lure of putting spontaneous expenses on a credit card to pay off later. Later will come around and you will wish you had that money to cover the car payment, the student loan, a down payment for a house...