Now that you have determined what your wedding style is or at least you have an idea, it's now time to tackle a topic that most couples dread - determining the wedding budget. As you know everyone's wedding is as unique as the couples that are getting married - well the same philosophy holds true for the wedding budget. Let me share with you a little secret...it
is possible to create a beautiful wedding on any budget...you just have to set realistic expectations.
So first things first, before we start talking about money, it's important to determine the elements of your wedding and their priorities. Below I have provided you with a priority list. On it we have identified 15 wedding elements to get you started. Look at the list and start ranking the following elements of your wedding according to their relative importance to you. Mark a "1" next to those elements that are the "most important areas"; a "2" by the "medium important areas"; and a "3" next to those that are the "least important" to you. Feel free to add additional elements that relate to your wedding.
Priorities List
___ Ceremony
___ Number of Guest
___ Size of Wedding
___ Location
___ Season
___ Food and Drink
___ Music - ceremony
___ Music - reception
___ Flowers
___ Tabletop Decor and Linen
___ Lighting and Mood
___ Invitations and Printing
___ Fashion
___ Photography/Videography
___ Other_______________
___ Other_______________
___ Other_______________
___ Other_______________
___ Other_______________
This exercise is most effective when done as a couple. Make two copies of the priorities sheet and give one copy to your fiance. Do your ranking separately and when you're finished, sit together and compare lists. This is a great exercise to start discussing what is most important to each of you and will help you both determine where your budget and your attention should be directed first.
Next we will discuss actually putting the budget together.
Happy Planning!
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