~Step 2 - Budget Basics - Setting Your Priorities~

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!