From Engaged to Married: How to Budget for Your Big Day

Weddings come to life in all different shapes and sizes, from intimate “micro-weddings” to more traditional celebrations. Here are some ways you can make your budget work for the wedding of your dreams.

Talk It Out

You already know the importance of communication when it comes to building a strong relationship, and the same goes for wedding planning! Have frank conversations early on to determine who will be paying for the wedding—and what that looks like.

If either of your families decides to contribute, make sure everyone has a clear understanding of how that will work and what it will entail. Are they covering specific elements, or writing a check for a particular amount or percentage of the total cost?

And if you and your partner will be footing the bill, consider how that might impact your budget. The earlier you begin saving, the more time you’ll have to build up your reserves. 

Budgeting and Priorities

Start researching the costs of different wedding vendors to avoid being caught off guard by just how expensive a wedding can be—and don’t forget the bling! Decide on a ballpark figure for the total cost that you and your partner (and any contributing family members) feel comfortable with and work backward from there. Your number should reflect what you could comfortably afford, rather than what you would like to spend.

Establish priorities. Determine what elements of the wedding are most important to you as a couple so that you are prepared to make any necessary trade-offs. If you have your heart set on a particular vendor (e.g., a photographer or caterer), be sure to reach out for an estimate and work that into your budget.

Be proactive when it comes to family. If there are certain aspects of the celebration that are particularly important to either side, discuss these upfront to avoid unexpected or uncomfortable asks leading up to the big day. These last-minute changes could also have a huge impact on your budget and logistics.

Honeymoon Hacks

Your honeymoon is an important time to relax and unwind after the whirlwind of family, friends and celebrations. It can give you and your partner a moment to reflect on the transition into a new phase of life as newlyweds. Planning for a big trip following such an expensive event can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it more budget-friendly:  

• Use credit card points or frequent flyer miles to book or upgrade travel.

 

• Consider a honeymoon registry, in which guests can choose to give alternative wedding gifts, including contributing to your travel fund or paying for specific activities such as a snorkeling excursion.

 

• Explore all-inclusive options to manage costs upfront and avoid the “why not get a third bottle of champagne, it’s our honeymoon!” rationale that could put a damper on the trip once you receive the bill.

 

• Check out discount sites such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith(opens in a new tab) that can give you access to perks such as room upgrades, if available.

 

• Drop the honeymooner hint to the hotel or airline staff. You never know when someone will feel extra generous and decide to upgrade your reservation on the house.

 

Planning the big day and establishing a wedding budget begins with communication. By understanding expectations, setting common goals and being thoughtful about how to bring your vision to life, your wedding can be memorable without breaking the bank, so you can kick off this new chapter on strong financial footing.