The Top 10 Wedding Spending Pitfalls
10. Not Setting Budget Priorities. Start with a realistic overall budget, then list your wedding details in order of “gotta have it”. That way you can put your dollars on the higher priorities, and spend less on what isn’t so important to you.
9. Not Reading the Fine Print. Don’t skip reading anything, and if you have questions, ask immediately, especially about payment terms. Your wedding coordinator can also assist you with understanding your vendor contracts.
8. Leaping Before You Look. You walk into the first reception venue on your list, fall in love and decide to write a deposit check on the spot. Sometimes that works fine; other times it doesn’t. A week later you may hear about a place that costs less and offers more.
7. Falling Prey to Peer Pressure. Refuse to keep up with the Joneses. Who says copying them will make you happy? Repress the urge to impress other people. Imagine you’re in a safe little bubble where you’re unaffected by others’ choices.
6. Getting Stuck on “Shoulds”. You “should” have this or that.. but consider whether you’ll care about each particular detail in the future. To quote the song, all you really need is love (and a wedding license, right?).
5. Not Knowing What You Both Want. When you’re unsure what you want, you’re susceptible to sales pitches or other people insisting you must have a more expensive choice.
4. Letting Your Guest List Get the Best of You. It’s a simple math equation: more people equals more money. Figure out how many guests you can actually afford. Then split your list among your own guests, you groom’s and your parents’. The have everyone chop from the bottom and create a “B” list. Order extra invitations and send them after the initial RSVPs come in and you know if you have space.
3. Stuffing Your Guests. Rest assured, no one at your wedding will starve. Let you caterer know what your budget is, and what kind of food you want to include in the meal, and then let her work out what she can produce within your parameters.
2. Not Thinking Creatively. Doing exactly what you’ve seen elsewhere may be safe, but it may not be economical. Be imaginative. Choose local blooms in season. Or ask a florist to create one centerpiece that you and your friends can use as a template for making the rest yourselves. You’ll save on the labor costs that the florist would have put in.
And the # 1 Top Budget No-No is… Trying To Do It All Yourself. Okay, so you’re superwoman. But trying to handle every last detail can end up costing you because you don’t have time to do all the research to find the most economical choices. Enlist help! Though wedding planners come with their own costs, hiring one might save you money in the long run. Their vendor discounts can drastically off-set the price you pay for their services. Delegate jobs to friends and family. Also, many brides who have talented friends ask for their help with decorating, invitations, or flowers. People are usually happy to contribute to the success of a friend’s big day.
Spending Hundreds of Dollars on Wedding Magazines. Yes, you can get loads of inspiration and ideas from wedding magazines and books, not to mention they are just plain fun to look through, but the money you could save instead of buying them could pay for your favors, or an extra tier on you cake, or your shoes! Searching online is free, so it's your choice~ either pick magazines or the internet.... but not both! You will be so overwhelmed if you overdo your searching!
For a stress-free wedding day, and a FREE BUDGET TRACKER, contact Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning. We offer "Day/Week Of" assistance as well as full service wedding design and coordination. 775.786.1730
