4 Simple Steps to Your Wedding Budget Plan

Starting out as a married couple without mountains of wedding debt

Step 1: Talk your wedding budget plan through together!

Step 2: Write Down Your 'Wish list'

Take your time! First ... jot down everything you want to include ... in no particular order of importance. Here's some ideas to get you started ...

• What sort of ceremony do you want? Religious or civil? Formal or informal? Big or small?
• What transport do you want?
• Do you want to get married at home or do you fancy a destination wedding?
• Where do you want the reception to be held?
• How many guests will you invite?
• What about your honeymoon?
• Will you have attendants?

And the biggie ... what about your dress?

Don't forget to include all those wedding essentials like rings, bridesmaid gifts, flowers for both of your mothers, wedding insurance, ceremony and marriage certificate fees.

You're going to use the 'wish list' you're creating when it's time to allocate your budget ... so you need to make sure you've included everything you want for your perfect day.

Step 3: Examine your finances ... BEFORE you cast your wedding budget plan in stone.

Now that you've talked about what matters to you both it's time to take a good hard look at your finances ... assuming you haven't done this already!

I recommend a full free review of your finances with your bank. If it's not free ... you're with the wrong bank!!.

When you put your finances under the microscope for your wedding budget plan, you need to think about

• How much money do you have right now? (In your bank accounts, investments, and real estate or trust funds)
• How much can you save before your wedding, from your regular income sources?
• How much do you need to put aside for the new baby? (Will you be returning to work? How long will you have to cope with one income for?)
  
  
  Don't under-estimate how expensive a new baby can be!
• How much can you reasonably expect others to help out?
  Be prepared to take contributions that are offered with good grace ... even if they are not what you hoped for.

People might offer to help out in other ways too, such as lending a classic car; arranging your flowers for you; making personalised wedding stationery or baking and decorating your cake. These are all wonderful, personal gifts to cherish!

Step 4: Assign your Budget!

This will be vital when you're working out deals with suppliers ... you'll need to know exactly what you can spend and what's not achievable in your budget.

Your Wedding Budget Plan Golden Rule

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