Weddings: Let's Talk Money

Make the right choices and you'll avoid countless unnecessary complications or upsets as your plans develop.  The two key areas are communication and budget; you and your fiance should know the direction you're going in from the start, and understand the need to keep a close eye on your finances. 

Don't forget your fiance!
It's all too easy for a bride to get wrapped up in her own grand plan, almost completely forgetting to consider her fiance's vision of the Big Day.  This is made easier still by the groom's seeming lack of interest in the finer details. Don't take this as a bad omen - he just hasn't been planning this since he was six years old - but don't cut him out of the process altogether.  There really are aspects that he will (and should) want to have input on, so be sensitive to including him in making those decisions.

Keep it real
make sure you choose something that you are both happy with.  There is no point arranging a beach party if the idea of a hot sun and sand is the bottom of your list for comfort; if you prefer casual get-togethers with friends and family, tuxedos and evening gowns may not be for you.  On the other hand, if you love the idea of  cocktail party, make this your starting point and expand the theme from there.

Don't overdo it
While there is no doubt that it is the sum of all the details that will eventually create the day of your dreams, there's a real danger of going way overboard in your eagerness to create the "perfect" wedding.  Keep the various aspects of your theme simple and make sure there are no hideous clashes.  Rather than trying to have a little of everything, concentrate on liking the ceremony and celebrations with a few key elements for maximum style.

Tips for saving money

• The most obvious consideration is the size of the guest list.  For couples with limited funds, think about hosting a small wedding with just your immediate family and closest friends, and having a special party for your larger circle of friends at a later date.
• The scheduling of your wedding can also have a direct effect on costs if you select off-peak times.  You could choose to be married on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon to avoid the premiums placed on Saturday affairs.  Alternatively, opt for a daytime celebration rather than an evening one and take advantage of serving a brunch or lighter meal at the reception.
• Rather than reaching out to professionals to produce all the elements of your wedding, you can take on some of the parts yourself with the assistance of family and friends.  Enlist the help of your sisters, cousins, and bridesmaids to help out with the simple but laborious tasks.  
• A few words of caution, however, is to not take chances on the quality of what you can do for yourself, especially for the parts of the wedding that are most important to you.  

By making some smart decisions on the front-end, you'll be able to make some money-saving choices that do not compromise your original dreams for your wedding day.

MCB xo