7 Things To Know When Budgeting Your Wedding

There's just no getting around it—planning your wedding is always going to be a mix of exciting to-dos and stressful decisions. Especially for those without unlimited funds, we know that blowing your budget is always the number one fear for couples. At Touchstone Golf, we want to help you plan the wedding of your dreams, no matter the finances at hand. Here are our top 7 tips to keep in mind when setting your wedding budget:

1. Over Budget

Always, always, always OVER BUDGET your expenses to accommodate for any last minute fees or services. Without fail, couples always spend more on their weddings than anticipated—never the other way around. The good news is over budgeting can leave you with a healthy cushion to fall back on or extra money in the bank should you not use it.

2. Be Mindful of Your Invites

Just because Cousin Sally invited you to her wedding, doesn't mean she has to come to yours—wedding budgets don't work on quid pro quo's. It's not easy to limit your guest list but in the end, every additional person results in additional expenses and inviting your pre-school best friend that you haven't spoken to in 15 years just isn't worth it. Start with close family members and friends, then invite co-workers and acquaintances and move on from there, always mindful of your budget.

3. Prioritize

In a nutshell: prioritize what matters to you most for your special day—especially what you can't handle going without. For some this means choosing between a band or a DJ, rather than having both. For others, this could mean sacrificing the S'More bar at the wedding in exchange for a lower price point. Your wedding should be filled with everything you've been dreaming of, but with everything coming at a cost, it's important to be realistic about your must-have's.

4. Keep It Moving

You know what they say: "time is money"—and at a wedding full of various vendors this couldn't be more accurate. Every vendor from the entertainers to the photographer—and even your venue—will charge you by the hour, so keep the festivities flowing. The best way to do this is to keep the time between the ceremony and reception short—and not spend too long on photos.

5. Make Payments

If your venue or vendors allow it, set up a payment schedule so you do not have to worry about paying everything upfront in full. However, unless agreed upon, you'll want to have everything 100% settled up prior to your big day—if not, you may find yourself with very unhappy vendors waiting for their compensation.

6. Become a DIY Pro

Let's just say Pinterest is about to become your best friend. Known for housing all of the best Do-It-Yourself (DIY) inspirations, Pinterest is a bride's go-to platform for getting ideas and the steps to make them come to life. DIY wedding projects such as: place settings, photo booth accessories, reception décor and even favors for your guests can go a long way towards saving you money and staying on budget.

7. Ask for Help

Finally, there's nothing wrong with reaching out for help—and you'll likely find that your friends and family are patiently waiting to help lessen the burden. Rally the troops to organize décor, make the favors and especially on the day of, ask your bridal party to help set up. If you know someone in the wedding industry, offer to buy coffee for any go-to tips they can share for your special day. While everyone understands how stressful planning a wedding can be, no one wants you to go it alone, so reach out, ask for help and start delegating to bring your dream wedding to fruition.