Most often when girlfriends become fiancés they tend to fall straight into a phase we like to call 'temporary bridezilla mode'. It lasts for around two weeks, where all decisions must be made immediately no matter the time frame until your wedding. These decisions, 99% of the time, will later be changed because the thought and planning processes were too rushed to really identify the important factors: the cost and the accessibility.
Unfortunately with weddings, money is a large part - the celebrant alone you are looking anywhere between $600 and $1000. So let's get down to the budget.
Before you start setting your date in a haze of excitement take a step back and look at your financials. Do you have a mortgage? Do you want a house before you're married? Have you been saving for your wedding? Was the proposal a surprise and you're starting with a zero balance? Evaluating your wants and needs are important. Draw up your income and outgoing expenses (as they are right at this minute) and evaluate what's left over. Set aside what you would usually put into savings, or if you're looking at buying a house set aside your mortgage costs (remember some of this can be taken from your rent). What are you left with? Is this your 'spending' money for a Saturday night out? Do you have a reasonable amount to put away for your wedding?
You and your partner should commit to setting aside the same amount every week. Let's assume, with entertainment costs and socialising (because nobody is going to give these up before a wedding) you have $70 each leftover a week, that's after committing some money to general savings. That's $140.00 a week put toward your wedding. One year -or 52 weeks- would give you $7,280.00. If you are starting from scratch and don't earn a high wage, you will need to consider a long engagement, or a smaller close-knit wedding. Depending on the size of your wedding, decide how much you need to save (and can save) then set your budget followed by your date.
We recommend setting up a bank account to put direct debits into. Call the account 'Wedding' so whenever you look at your account summaries you will be less inclined to touch the dollars building up. Trust us, you will need every dollar you can get if you're planning a big affair.
Average costs in the Goulburn Valley and Moira regions of Victoria for reception catering is from $90pp-$120pp, therefore, for a wedding of 150 people you are looking at around $15,000.00 - $18,000.00 alone. These costs generally include beer, wine and soft-drink only. Remember, your day is about you - so your budget should be too. Cut out where necessary - or hire someone who can do it for you.
At Way to Wed we source everything for you at a minimal cost designed to suit you and your partners tastes and lifestyle. We will work within your budget, design a saving plan, create themes, source DIY materials and even DIY for you! Way to Wed also have a Graphic Artist on our team to design personalised save the dates, invitations and place cards, for your day. Inquiries and quotes are entirely free and we will even answer a limited number of questions to help you set up the planning of your big day yourself.
In summary, from today's blog you should have taken the important information of: budget, budget, budget. Then select your date based on your savings plan and what you realistically can afford.
Next time:
Way to Wed will take a look into the cost of hiring the Professionals - Celebrants, Photographers, Videographers, Caterers, Bands and Venues.
Stay inspired!
Way to Wed
No comments:
Post a Comment