When planning a wedding, money matters. Just take into consideration that the average couple spends in the region of £9,000 to £11,000 for their big day and in many cases getting into debt in the process so is this really the best way to start out in life?

We’re here to offer some practical advice and a few planning tips which will point you in the right direction when planning your wedding.

Start with a wedding budget – Unless you have access to unlimited funds, which is unusual, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. You should apply this rule whether you’re paying for your own wedding or whether your parents are helping with the costs. Your wedding budget should consist of a list of intended expenditure for each item from wedding favours all the way through to the wedding venue. This list will enable you to control and monitor every cost. There are many wedding budget planners available free of charge, just search the internet.

Decide what are the must-haves – Take some quality time and sit down with your partner to decide ‘what are the must haves?’ and ‘what would be nice if we can afford it?’ Do you want to walk down the isle in a high-end designer dress, hire an exclusive venue, cut into the most expensive wedding cake or jet off to a faraway honeymoon destination? Distinguishing between your absolute must-haves from your niceties will help define your wedding budget.

Don’t rule out negotiation – You might not think it’s typically a British thing to do but don’t be afraid to negotiate with wedding suppliers. It’s useful to speak with your wedding suppliers to find out if they’re busy around the time you’re planning your wedding. You may be surprised to find they aren’t fully booked if you’re getting married between October and March. If you are getting married out of season then this is your signal to negotiate.

Gift List – Many couples already live together before their marriage so it’s not uncommon to already have the usual household appliances that were historically the right items to buy for wedding gifts. Don’t be afraid to use a modern gift list such as vouchers or even cash! There’s no need to feel embarrassed asking for either of these options but do bear in mind some guests or family might be offended by this. It’s all about how you present the idea. If you do ask for money then spend it wisely. Instead of splashing the cash why not add some value to your home by spending it on decorating, a kitchen makeover or even an extension. If you’ve already been saving for your first mortgage this could be the perfect time to use the contributions from your wedding guests and family to top up the deposit for your first mortgage!

Enjoy the planning stages – it’s a well-known fact that your wedding day will seem to pass quickly so enjoy the whole process from the initial planning to the wedding day itself. For many this is a once in a lifetime experience so remember to enjoy it!

Roy Dovaston works for Aimee\’s Boutique who specialise in wedding favours, wedding gifts and finishing touches. If you want to find out more visit the shop at www.aimeesboutique.co.uk

Roy Dovaston works for Aimee\’s Boutique who specialise in wedding favours, wedding gifts and finishing touches. If you want to find out more visit the shop at http://www.aimeesboutique.co.uk

Author Bio: Roy Dovaston works for Aimee\’s Boutique who specialise in wedding favours, wedding gifts and finishing touches. If you want to find out more visit the shop at www.aimeesboutique.co.uk

Category: Finances
Keywords: wedding,wedding budget,wedding favours,weddings