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Weddings cost a lot – that’s definitely not news to you! But what might come as a surprise are all the smaller associated costs on the periphery of the big day. And there are a lot!
You’ve accounted for the cost of the flowers but have you thought about displaying them? You’ve considered which wedding invitations you want to send and how many people you want to invite but have you checked the cost of postage? You know you will be feeding your guests a main meal but have you considered a buffet later on?
Weddings can easily get out of hand and keeping your budget reined in is one of the greatest challenges of organising any event. So how can you manage all these unexpected costs?
Always Have a Contingency Fund
The first rule of any project costing a significant sum is to have a contingency fund. A contingency fund is a pot of money you can use to cover unexpected costs. While you should never plan to spend this pot of money, it is there to ease any issues you might have. Around 20% of your overall wedding budget is a good contingency to have.
Every wedding will have a few unexpected costs and it’s likely that you will have to spend a little more than you thought. However, don’t see the contingency fund as money you might as well spend. Be strict with yourself if you don’t want your wedding to get out of control.
Aim to Save in Every Area
If you aim to save in every area, you are much more likely to be able to handle any unexpected costs as they arise. Even if you only save a little bit on a few areas, this adds up quite quickly and the money can either be spent on other things or you could put it towards your honeymoon or simply hold onto your cash.
Wedding crafts are booming and, once you start looking, there are lots of ways you can save. You can make all your decorations yourself, you can do simple flower arrangements in jam jars and you could even make your own wedding cake. Get all your friends involved for a day of crafting and you’ll be surprised how fun these wedding chores can be.
Be Reasonable With Your Expectations
The minimum amount of money you can spend on your wedding is around £154. This includes all the stuff you need to be legally married but probably won’t live up to your expectations of a modern wedding. With people spending thousands of pounds on luxurious weddings, the bar is rising all the time.
It’s very easy to get swept up by wedding fever and the pressures to design the perfect day. But ultimately, getting married isn’t about wearing the perfect dress, drinking expensive cocktails and being extorted by caterers who double the bill because you said ‘wedding’. This is your day to celebrate your love and commitment and there’s nothing more beautiful than that.
