Newly engaged couples often have wedding budget questions. As they begin to think about their wedding plans, they soon realize that so many of their decisions involve money. Most couples have a long list of things of things they like/want for their wedding, and this is before the question of how they’ll be paid for is even addressed. So I’ve put together a list of the 6 most common wedding budget questions.
6 Wedding Budget Questions
The first 5 wedding budget questions are a bit more specific, with the final one more general:
1) How do we start creating a wedding budget?
You’ll need to know how much money you’ll have to the entire event. This includes money you and your fiancé can comfortably take from savings, and what you’ll both be setting aside from your paychecks, as well as any outside contributions from either set of parents (or someone else). Put this money into a separate wedding savings account so you won’t accidently spend it on something else.
2) If my parents and/or future in laws are contributing to wedding expenses, do they get to have a say in how I spend the money?
The answer is YES – they certainly do. Some parents will give you the money with no instructions or restrictions. Others prefer to fund a particular aspect of the wedding, such as the bar tab or the flowers only. Ideally, if the parental preferences will work for the couple as well, peace will reign.
3) No one has offered to help us pay for any part of the wedding. Is it ok to ask?
Yes, it is, but do so graciously.
[ctt template=”1″ link=”9MU7I” via=”yes” ]6 Most Common Wedding Budget Questions[/ctt]4) How do we ask my parents to pay for the wedding?
It is appropriate to ask if they would be interested in helping you fund any part of the day. If your parents have hinted or offered to help pay, but haven’t given any indication as to the dollar amount, it’s perfectly fine to come right out and ask “How much are you planning to contribute?”
Now, if your parents haven’t mentioned if or how they want to help, or if they are even intending to, then simply ask what they have in mind. It’s best to go into this with no expectations, and never make them feel obligated to contribute any money at all. Regardless of how much money they have (or you think they have), it is theirs to do or not do with what they choose. If there is no interest, so be it. Regroup and rethink your budget if necessary.
If they do offer to help pay, be sure to find out what they have in mind for how to spend the money, or if they only intend to contribute if the money is spent in a certain way. You might suggest that funding the flowers or the photography, or a different wedding aspect would be in lieu of a wedding gift.
5) And how do we ask my future in-laws?
This should be handled with the same approach as how you asked your parents, except your partner will be the one to sit down with his/her parents.
6) How do I save some money?
Believe it or not, but there are ways to have a dream wedding without breaking the bank. Of all the wedding budget questions, this one has the longest answer.
Some money saving tips you can try:
• Choose an off season month or have your wedding on any day but on a Saturday. Some venues and vendors may offer a discount on these “non peak” days.
• Hold your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue. That way you’ll be paying for only one venue instead of two. Also, there will be no need to hire any special transportation.
• Have a breakfast, lunch, or brunch style wedding. These are lighter meals so you’ll save on catering costs. Also, people generally tend to drink less earlier in the day, so you can save money on your bar too.
• Serve only signature cocktails, beer, and a couple wine selections (white and red) instead of having a full open bar. With a full bar, you’re going to end up with more partially opened bottles.
• Shrink your guest list. Less people = less money. By having fewer people at your wedding, you don’t have to order as many table linens or napkins, (as well as tables and chairs if you need to rent those too). You ‘ll also need fewer centerpieces, favors, food, etc.
• For your wedding cake, choose a smaller display cake, and have your baker provide additional “kitchen cakes.” Kitchen cakes are the same as your wedding cake, but with one exception – they are undecorated. Since they aren’t decorated, they obviously aren’t displayed, but held set aside in the kitchen (or other prep area). Once they are cut and served along with the displayed wedding cake, no one will be the wiser.
You may have heard to have sheet cakes set aside in the back. Don’t do this! A slice of sheet cake looks way different than a slice of a tiered wedding cake. Your guests will be able to tell that their piece of cake isn’t the same.
• Make your choices do double-duty. You’re paying good money, so be sure to get your money’s worth. Instead of only using them for only 45 minutes to an hour, reuse your ceremony décor at the reception. Have the bridesmaids’ bouquets dress up the cake table. Pick favors that can also double as escort cards.
• Hire a Wedding Planner. Experienced wedding planners know so many money-saving tricks including: helping you create and stay on budget; offering suggestions on where to pare back; suggesting alternative ideas that cost less, but still have the overall look you want.
When planning an event with the complexity and size of even the simplest of weddings, and especially when money is involved, wedding budget questions abound. What wedding budget questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below!
Photo Credit:
GotCredit via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Need help with your wedding budget? I can help you come up with money saving without having it “show.”
Weddings From The Heart can help. Contact me today at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!