Wedding Budget Tips
Wedding Planning
Elettra Wiedemann | Executive Director of Mama Farm
September 21, 2023
Congratulations, You are engaged to be married! How exciting! At Mama Farm, we are so excited to be a part of your Big Day. Now for the hard question: How do you plan your wedding? The first crucial step that forms the foundation of your celebration is your wedding budget. As you embark on this joyful process, remember the important saying, “What is measured is managed.” Weddings require a lot of moving parts, different people and different talents to come together to execute a perfect wedding. If you measure and plan for your needs, your wedding budget will be managed and not spiral out of control.
We hope our comprehensive guide is here to provide you with practical and actionable tips for creating and managing your wedding budget. In this article, we offer strategies to save money, prioritize expenses, and sidestep common financial pitfalls.
The Importance of Budgeting in Wedding Planning
A well-thought-out wedding budget isn't just a spreadsheet of numbers, it's a roadmap that ensures your dream wedding is within reach and how it will happen. A budget empowers you to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and create the wedding you envision. By understanding your financial boundaries from the outset, you're laying the groundwork for a celebration that's beautiful, financially balanced and won’t be an unnecessary source of stress or discord.
Common Challenges in Managing Wedding Expenses
Wedding planning can be a whirlwind and it's easy to lose sight of the financial aspect amid the excitement. Common challenges to budget planning include underestimating costs, overspending in certain areas, and grappling with unexpected expenses. By proactively addressing these challenges, you can navigate your wedding expenses with confidence.
Understanding Your Budget
Assessing Overall Budget:
Begin by establishing your overall wedding budget. This is the total amount you're comfortable spending on your special day. Knowing this number will guide your choices and ensure you're making decisions that align with your financial reality. Our helpful Wedding Budget Infographic can help you to think through your wedding budget breakdown.
Identifying Priorities and Must-Haves:
Sit down with your partner and identify your top priorities for the wedding. This could be a stunning venue, exquisite floral arrangements, or a 16-piece band! Knowing your must-haves help you to allocate resources accordingly.
Allocating Budget to Different Wedding Categories:
Our infographic will help you to break down your wedding budget into categories such as the Mama Farm venue, catering, attire, decor, entertainment, and more. You will see that our infographic designates percentages of your budget within each category (hint: Catering will be one of your biggest expenses, regardless of the size of your wedding!). Of course, our infographic is just a guideline and, depending on your vision, these percentages should be considered flexible.
Cost-Saving Tips
Mama Farm as a Cost Saving Venue:
Mama Farm is a 5-acre regenerative farm with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces and an onsite B&B. Our venue provides unique and beautifully curated spaces for your ceremony and reception, and we can accommodate your out of town guests. Opting for Mama Farm as an all-in-one location will help you to save on transportation and rental fees. We are also very reasonably priced relative to other local venues that provide less services and less spaces. Finally, by having your wedding at Mama Farm, you are supporting our environmentally friendly mission to conserve land, use regenerative agriculture to produce food and supporting our animal sanctuary of heritage (endangered) breeds of sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys and ducks.
Catering Options:
We have connections with any kind of catering service you can imagine, whether you're envisioning a seated 6-course meal or a food truck. All our catering partners are excellent chefs that use farm fresh food straight from our fields to create delicious and elevated cuisine, whether you are wishing for something formal or more casual. Talk to us about your vision and we can help to come up with ideas for how to save money on the food and drinks served at your wedding.
Dress and Attire:
A good way to save money on your wedding outfits are to attend sample sales, trunk shows, and off-the-rack options for your wedding attire. You can also find hidden gems at vintage shops or estate sales! Also, consider renting or borrowing accessories to save on costs. Family members often have beautiful jewelry, cufflinks and more that you can borrow and will add a layer of meaning to your wedding day outfit.
Invitations and Stationery:
Choose digital invitations or opt for minimalistic designs. DIY stationery kits can also offer a personalized touch without breaking the bank.
Flowers and Decorations:
Use in-season flowers and greenery to reduce costs. Mama Farm has an onsite florist that can source flowers straight from our farm fields and the surrounding woodlands. Repurposing ceremony decor for the reception will also help to maximize your budget.
Photography and Videography:
Look for photographers offering packages that suit your needs. Consider hiring a photographer for a shorter duration if it helps you save money without compromising on quality. Have a wedding hashtag so that you can locate all the photos of your wedding posted by friends and family to social media. Be sure to include your wedding hashtag on your wedding save-the-dates and invitations!
Entertainment:
Live music options are a wonderful way to kick off a great party, but they can be cost prohibitive depending on your budget. Be sure you are comparing the cost of a band to a DJ. Mama Farm has recommendations for both and we are happy to share these ideas and resources with you. If a band and a DJ prove too expensive, you can create a playlist and ask a friend to DJ the event.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Hidden Costs:
Account for taxes and service charges that might not be immediately evident in vendor quotes. You’ll see that your Wedding Budget Planner Infographic also allocated budget for gratuities.
Last-Minute Expenses & Hiccups:
Budget for unexpected last-minute expenses, such as emergency alterations or unforeseen transportation needs. Hiccups happen in every wedding journey, so expect them and budget for them! If they don’t occur, it’s money back in your pocket. Be prepared and spare yourself stress.
Overspending in Certain Areas:
Be cautious of overspending on minor details that might not significantly impact the overall experience or look of your event. We have a lot of experience throwing weddings at Mama Farm and we are happy to offer ideas on how to enhance the spaces beautifully and get maximum bang for your buck.
Using Budgeting Tools
Wedding Budget Calculators:
Online calculators help you allocate your budget to different categories and provide an overview of your spending plan
Budgeting Apps and Software:
Use apps or software designed specifically for wedding budget management. They can help you track expenses, set reminders, and stay organized.
Templates and Spreadsheets:
Create your budget spreadsheet using templates available online. Customize it to suit your needs and preferences.
Managing your wedding budget is a creative act that will empower you and your partner. By understanding your financial boundaries, prioritizing your must-haves, and making informed decisions, you can create a celebration that's both stunning and affordable. Remember that your wedding is a reflection of your love story, and staying within your budget doesn't mean sacrificing your dream day. By implementing these practical tips and strategies, you're crafting a wedding that's not beautiful and financially balanced. We look forward to celebrating your special day with you!
