The Wedding Budget Blues

Getting engaged is so exciting. The first thing that you will want to do is run out and tell the world (and flash your ring!). Once that is done, it is time to start thinking about your wedding of Lowest Price Gold Jewelry,10k Gold Citrine Ring(AB0078). Brides-to-be love reading wedding magazines, watching wedding shows, and surfing the web for ideas. Sooner or later, though, reality starts to set in (often known as Dad!), and the eager young bride realizes that the wedding she is envisioning may be a bit beyond her budget. What is a girl to do?

The first step is to make an honest assessment of your total budget. This may require having a sit-down with both sets of parents and asking them what they are willing or able to contribute to your "future happiness on the most important day of your life" (phrase it just like that for the best results!) because 925 sterling silver necklace,925 jewelry,925 silver jewelry,925 sterling silver jewelry,wholesale fashion jewelry,jewelry set. Sometimes it is best to do this in the very beginning, but not always.

You may find that taking your mother to the bridal shop and showing her your dream gown will result in more flexibility than in asking her to choose a number up front. You certainly don't want to bankrupt your parents or yourself, but I have often seen that there is a difference between what someone wants to spend and what they actually would spend to get exactly what they want.

Once you have a clear picture of the financial state of your wedding, it is time to start prioritizing. When the couple is paying for everything themselves, they will probably make all the major decisions, but if your parents are paying, it is a good idea to consult your benefactors before signing any contracts. They may want to have a say in how their money is spent.

The priorities are different for every bride and groom. If music is very important to you, you may feel that a 20 piece band is mandatory, but an art school photographer would be just fine. An avid gardener might be very particular about the flowers, but be satisfied with California sparkling wine instead of French Champagne. How to allocate your funds is completely up to you.

With the average wedding costing $28,000, it might seem like there should be plenty to cash to go around. However, that investment will be split up before you know it. It can easily cost $10,000 just for the tent and associated rentals. Suddenly, the bride and groom might find that the wedding they desire is beyond their means.

Don't despair, though, because there are ways to save in one area so that you can splurge in another. One really simple idea is to buy beautiful blank invitations that you can print yourself at home. Imprintables are available in very high quality papers, and can cost ¼ or less of engraved invitations. Another very simple way to save money is by selecting flowers that are in season. You can also use fewer flowers and more candles for a romantic, but less expensive option.

A great place to save is on the wedding jewelry for the bride and her attendants. You can get fabulous bridal and bridesmaid jewelry sets handcrafted from Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, and sterling silver. Elegant bridesmaid jewelry sets also make affordable but impressive gifts for your attendants. With the money that you save, you can get those designer bridal shoes that you have been craving!

If you have crunched all the numbers and still cannot imagine how to pull off a wedding within your budget, you may have to be creative. Sometimes the original plan may have to be scrapped altogether. Instead of a seated reception for 200 guests in your hometown, consider a destination wedding with only your immediate family and closest friends. Destination weddings can actually be fairly reasonable, because they are usually on the small side. Also, the resort does a lot of the work for you, and the gorgeous tropical backdrop means that you will have minimal decorating costs. Best of all, when the wedding is over, you will already be at your honeymoon spot.

Talking about money is never easy, but it is a necessary part of wedding planning. The wedding planning process will be much more relaxed and enjoyable if the bride, the groom, and their families are not squabling over finances for a year. With a clear picture of your budget, you will be able to plan a wedding that is perfect for you, but also within your means.