When preparing for a wedding, the list of expenses may seem endless as there will definitely be additions to your original plan. However, you need not say yes to all expenses as they will just add up and you will end up with actual expenses that will overshoot your budget.

When planning your budget, you should first think about all the things that you will absolutely need for your wedding and then budget the optional items later. Your minimum budget should focus on the following areas:

– The reception venue and food – It is close to impossible if you or close family members choose to cook everything for your wedding day. While it will indeed cut your cost, entrust the appetite of your guests (who may be really hungry depending on the length of your ceremony) to professional caterers. These people have done weddings before and they will know exactly what kinds of food that people will like and how and when to prepare them.

– Your wedding gown – If you want a gown of your own, allot a major part of your budget on this. Designers charge a large fee to ensure that your gown is special and is one of a kind. However, there are other alternatives if you want to save on this such as thrift shops or your mother’s wedding gown.

– Ceremony venue fees – Whether you will be having your ceremony at a church, a beach, or in some other unique place, better budget for this or you might end up exchanging vows in your neighbor’s backyard. Get quotes from different venues for both the wedding ceremony and the reception.

– Photography – Because there are no retakes, entrust every moment of your wedding to a professional photographer and videographer. The last thing you’ll want when you wish to look back on the wonderful memories of your special day is to be dismayed to see unflattering pictures and unnecessary moments captured on camera while the important ones were missed.

Add-ons to your minimum budget can be the following:
-Invitation – You can make your own invitations and if you have a printer already, you just need a small amount to purchase the specialty paper. This amount can be kept pretty small, so you need not consider this a major part of your budget.

– Wedding favors – You can also make your own wedding favors and only allot a small portion of the budget. If you shop around, you can also find these inexpensively as well.

– Flowers – Flowers from florists and its arrangement can take a big bite out of your wedding budget. However, as an alternative you can pre-order from the supplier of flowers at your local grocery store instead of sourcing them through florists.

You need not be bothered by thinking that you will really need a large budget to cater to all of your wedding needs. You can choose alternatives while still getting good quality for the other aspects of your wedding. Leaving everything to suppliers who charge additional fees will really disrupt your budget. Have some DIY items in your wedding and you will be proud of these items and save cost as well.

Author Bio: Criss White is a professional article writer for bridal, wedding, and various other topics. To view some wedding favors, or to get more planning tips and wedding ideas visit Bridal and Wedding Favors. Note: This article may be reprinted in your ezine, blog, or website as long as the credits remain intact and hyperlinks remain active.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: Wedding budget, wedding expense, budgeting, expenses, wedding planning, bridal, cost, weddings