1. Where to begin
   • Set a financial goal-better to set it on the low end of what you are prepared to spend as chances are you will end up going over budget.
   • Make a list of every possible expense you can think of, no matter how small it seems. Don't forget things that you might not necessarily include in the budget- tuxes, your bridal gown, any accommodations that you are paying for, any plane tickets that you are paying for, etc.
   • Itemize the list of expenses by importance to you-the top 5 items are where you should really concentrate your budget.
   • Mark items on the list that you are willing to give up or do without.
2. How to proceed
   • Research your vendors carefully- how much each item on your list is going to cost.
   • Formulate a budget schedule (see example) - how much you will need for deposits, when payments are due and what the totals are. FYI, most vendors will require 25% or 50% down payment on services.
   • Devise a plan ahead of time of how you will pay for everything- what items are you putting on your credit card, what items are being paid for by family members, what items will be covered with cash.
   • Have a VERY definitive plan of HOW and WHEN you plan to pay off your credit card debt incurred from wedding expenses. Outrageous credit card debt is a no way to start a marriage.
   • Who do you give gratuities to?
3. Staying on task
   • Pay the vendor payments on time to ensure that you are not behind and playing "catch up" with your budget. Payments spread out over months before the wedding helps keep the budget from becoming too overwhelming.
   • DO NOT make impulsive decisions while planning. For example, let's say the original menu items you chose for your reception dinner are going to be $25/head, but after looking at the menu selections you decide that filet mignon would be much better at $35/head. Before you commit to that decision, crunch the numbers, see how it fits into your budget and go home and sleep on it before you make a final decision. Impulse decisions can detour you from your original budget.
   • Be sure that you are very careful in the initial planning of your budget to include EVERYTHING that will be needed for your wedding. Its easy to forget things like "favors", which could easy add up to $500 or more.
4. Damage Control-Common Pitfalls and Detours
   • Beware of the "small stuff" that you don't include in your budget because it may seem inconsequential- $100 here and there can quickly become a few thousand!
   • When planning your budget DO NOT estimate what YOU THINK things will cost- do your research! Make sure your numbers are correct or you will be in for a big surprise in the final tally.
   • Impulse decisions!
   • Add ons!
   • Don't forget to account for tax and gratuities!
   • Don't get caught up in the "have to's"- try to remember that the most important thing is that you are getting married! Whether your cake is 4 tiers or 5 tiers, whether your flowers are roses or carnations-these details do not have to make or break how great your wedding is, but these decisions can make or break your budget as you add them all up.
   • You can do really special things with not a lot of money-find ways to cut back if need be. For example, when people offer to help, take them up on! Put your Mom to work making sugar cookies in the shape of a wedding cake, place them in decorative cellophane bags tied with ribbon in the color of your wedding and place them at each seat as a wedding favor. You can even print up tags on your computer with your names and the date of your wedding. You just saved yourself hundreds of dollars.
   • Many vendors will require that you have fully paid them by the wedding day. If you do this and do not know the vendor or have a referral, then be sure to get references from the vendors.

SAMPLE BUDGET-150 guests