How To Stick To Your Wedding Budget
As Calgary wedding photographers we hear that most couples admit to spending more than they initially wanted to on their wedding. That doesn’t mean you can’t stick to a budget! Many couples go over their budget because unexpected costs aren’t factored in at the beginning and they can really add up. Check out our tips below for staying on budget. First and foremost, hiring an experienced wedding planner can really help make this easier for you!
1. Create a budget system that appeals to you
Figuring out what kind of budget system works for you is half the battle. If you don’t have a wedding planner, some amazing options can be found online for free! These online calculators will help you to understand how much you should be spending on key items like gifts, food, music, and more. These calculators can also help you track current payments and due dates. At the very least, create an excel spreadsheet with calendar reminders.
2. Allocate budget for hidden costs
Try to plan for all the hidden costs upfront. This gives you room in your budget to cover everything. There are several items that sneak up on couples below:
Overage Fees
If you’re having a great time, you may not notice the minutes flying by. Vendors such as DJ, Videographer and your Photographer will all have overage charges, so it’s important to plan your schedule ahead of time and budget a little wiggle room in case of wedding day delays. If you don’t end up needing it, you’ll be in the clear after your wedding is over!
Tipping Vendors
There are so many vendors who go above and beyond on your wedding day. Even small tips can really add up, so planning for them ahead of time ensures there are no surprises later on.
Hair and Makeup Trials
Most wedding vendors do not offer free trials as they have to charge for their time and product. Remember to allocate a budget for hair and makeup ahead of time to avoid surprises later on. =
Miscellaneous Extras
There are so many things that are easy to overlook or not think about prior to a wedding. Stamps for your stationery may cost more if you have a full invitation suite, packaging for gifts, travel fees for vendors, etc. All of these little things add up over time, so budgeting for them from the start eliminates shock later on. 
3. Plan To Go Over Budget
Say what now? Yes, we said it. If you take into account overages ahead of time then you won’t blow your budget. Take about 5-7% of your budget and use that for any “unforeseen” items. Sometimes it’s a month before the wedding and a couple decides to make changes to florals or the meal, or perhaps another guest needs to be invited. Planning ahead ensures you have wiggle room.
Environmental expenses: umbrellas, blankets to keep guests warm, heaters, air conditioners, or shading and drinks if it’s hot.
4. Be Savvy When Tracking Your Wedding Spending
There are so many great money-saving tips that you can find for free online! One example is to have a separate account for all wedding-related expenses (or credit cards). This ensures you do not spend a little here or there from your personal accounts. It also makes it easier to track long-term as you won’t have wedding items mixed with day-to-day expenses. Have everyone who makes wedding-related purchases be on the same system. This way, if you are collecting credit card points for your honeymoon, you won’t miss out on any rewards!
Interested in more wedding planning advice? Check out our post on Hiring a Cheap Wedding Photographer.
