Planning 101 | 3 tips for sticking to your budget

It’s very easy to blow out your budget when you’re planning your wedding. But there is a way you can definitely come in under - or at least stick to your budget.

Read our 3 tips below to help you with sticking to your budget:

Be realistic about your guest count

Hard truth right here : more guests = more money. It’s a basic fact. Depending on your chosen venue and their inclusions (number of courses, beverages, dessert), you can expect to pay anywhere from $120-200 per guest. (Easy Weddings puts the average cost per head as $144.00). The fastest way to cut your budget is to cut your guest list down. 

Consider an all-inclusive wedding venue

Booking your wedding at a DIY venue may have you thinking you’re onto huge cost savings right there. But with a DIY venue, you have to bring EVERYTHING with you. This includes, but is not limited to - cutlery, crockery, glassware, linens, salt + pepper - as well as your table and chairs too. A DIY venue is usually 4 walls and a roof and you need to sort the rest. Costs for these add up very quickly. Considering an all-inclusive venue and holding your ceremony and reception in the same location means you are paying for those items you have to bring in yourself - plates, tables, chairs etc and you also save money by reducing the need for transport between 2 venues and the number of vendors required for multiple locations.

Set 2-3 non-negotiables, or priorities, and allocate money accordingly

If you’ve read any of our previous blogs or posts, you know we’re big advocates for making sure you set your top priorities for your dream wedding day to help in your planning journey. These priorities also help keep you focused when you start to get a little overwhelmed or you start to second guess your choices and decisions in the planning process. (You can read more about establishing your wedding day priorities here). 

Do you have any other budget tips? Share them with us over on our Instagram post! 

Images : The Day Weddings, from Nathan + Melissa, Lamont’s Bishops House