It was the perfect proposal; you’ve set social media buzzing with your engagement, at last, you’ve begun a wedding plan! You’re not alone; loud weddings represent the trend today, and you simply cannot imagine yourself being left out. But you must learn to sift the grain from the chaff, especially when it comes to financial planning for your big day.
With the overwhelming volume of images of extravagant weddings on TV and in social media, it’s not easy to resist the temptation to follow the trend.
Findings have shown that most couples go into debt when planning their wedding. Inviting too many guests is just one of the many financial traps newlyweds make. Here’s a list of money pitfalls you need to avoid in order to have the perfect wedding, that won’t leave a hole in your pocket.
1. Planning the wedding before getting a guest list
It’s understandable to get excited and impatient when trying to plan the perfect wedding with your partner. You can’t wait to get the IVs ready, select your preferred flowers, cake flavors and book your wedding venue.
But hold on a second. You just might be putting the cart before the horse and setting the stage for financial disaster, post-wedding. You need to first consider your guest list, as it’s the most important factor of ensuring you keep within budget.
From the catering plan to the wedding hall and seating arrangement, your wedding list is your ultimate guide. Get this sorted first and work out a realistic budget, before calling your vendors.
2. Inviting too many people
You may love the idea of a large wedding. But a large guest list translates to large expenditure. With more food, more drinks, larger space and more décor necessary.
To avoid overspending, draw up a specific list of invited guests and plan your wedding around that count, plus a little extra to take care of any unintended spillovers.
3. Forgoing a wedding planner
You may have raised an eyebrow at this, as you’d imagine that excluding a wedding planner equates saving some extra cash. But think of it this way. A professional wedding planner’s job is not always about making the wedding full of glitz and glamour. It’s about saving costs and getting a great wedding within your budget – which you may not really have the knowhow or time to do. So, if you’re budgeting for a wedding planner, don’t hesitate to make the hire!
4. Not keeping your eye on the ball
Don’t get carried away by all the food, drinks and party atmosphere that you forget what your wedding is all about. It really should be about the first day of a beautiful and memorable life together with your spouse; and your wedding guest should be able to see that, and not all the heavy expenses.
Make your wedding is about you and your partner, and the love you will share together for the rest of your lives.
Leave a Reply