Wedding Finances
We maybe can’t help with your finances but we could possibly help offer some advice on how to prepare for the expenses heading your way ready for your big day….
Weddings are renowned for being one of the biggest expenses a couple can make throughout their lifetime other than their home. From popping the question, to engagement parties, choosing the venue, wedding dress, centerpieces and so on…. The lists of expenses, add ons and unexpected costs really can go on and on if not kept under control in some way.
The constant financial decisions and unexpected expenses can often cause so much stress and disagreements throughout families before the wedding has even happened.
We are not financial experts but we have seen many couples through their wedding journeys and we have been on these journeys ourselves with families and close friends, even including a few weddings amongst the Thief Hall team ourselves and we have learnt so many tips and tricks along the way.
Hopefully some of these insights might be able to help you to navigate these financial decisions as they pop up…..
- Setting a budget is almost impossible before you dig in and know the actual costs of everything. Everything you ever dreamed of can quickly add up but you always have options… You can either start saving early or find a way to DIY and save costs.
- Be completely honest with each other. You both might have different opinions as to how much you want to spend your wedding or money. Find out what is a priority spend and what isn’t between you. You could do a vision board for your wedding each and then see how they both look – Surprise!
- Could you be open to accepting financial help? If you are lucky enough to have family or friends who can help financially with the wedding, are you willing to accept this help? Watch out though as this could lead to them wanting an opinion on the wedding or what the money is spent on…. Mmmm!
- If you are both alone without any financial support or help, could you use a credit card? If yes, research to make sure you’re not choosing the wrong option for you but you can always add up credits and gifts via a clever credit card system like AMEX. MAKE SURE YOU CAN PAY IT OFF THOUGH OR THIS IS VERY COSTLY! (However please be aware some of your suppliers may not accept credit cards or AMEX so it is worth finding out and doing research and getting quotes asking these questions before diving in).
- Try not to be influenced by other people and what they think you should spend money on, especially family! This is YOUR WEDDING SO PLEASE MAKE IT YOUR WEDDING!
6. Ask favours…. There are 2 ways of seeing this…. Imagine if you were a florist or a chocolate maker and your best friend was excited about her new engagement ring. All you can think of are all the ways you want to help…. All they can think of is how they want you to enjoy their day without working too hard or giving too much. Friendships can be broken either way. They can be hurt because you didn’t ask and you can be embarrassed asking in the first place. Tread carefully but friends want to help, they want to show off what they can deliver and give you the best day! Asking them can help finances and a friendship. The worst they can say is no and you both know where you stand.
7. Last but not at all least…. Maybe even saving the most important thing to last…. Make sure you know exactly what you want and prioritise these things over others… For example…. Some people LOVE a wedding cake but are not too bothered about a lot of bridesmaids.. Or maybe your wedding dress is a huge priority and you maybe even want a dress change into a 2nd dress? But to be able to afford this you need to swap real flowers for fake bouquets you could do yourselves and save ££££s
Easy ways to save £££££s
– Less day guests = less tables, less centrepieces, less alcohol and meals
– Some venues charge for ceremonies – Could you look at a church to save?
– Asking family and friends to support certain things or offerings they can cover?
– Less bridesmaides/groomsmen can save so much especially if you are buying
dresses/shoes/hair and make up etc….
– DIY your decor, stationary, flowers – more. There’s so much you can do yourself.
– Decide what is important to you, could a cake from a supermarket do just as well?
– Could a donut wall & homemade sweet cart be enough for desserts?
– Could a food van instead of a 3 course meal work for you?
– Maybe an iPad playlist could do the job instead of a DJ or Band?
– Could you do without a videographer if someone videos your speeches?
