Breaking Up with the Money!
Jan 06, 2022Creating your wedding budget can be a stressful experience, because there is always an amount of sticker shock when you realize how much it actually costs to throw a wedding. Most couples start questioning - “Should I spend this much money?” “Do I have this much money?” Also, in most cases, you are spending at least some money given to you by other people, such as parents. I have witnessed couples be plagued by financial stress the entire wedding planning process, but it DOES NOT have to be that way!
From the start, identify how much money you can spend. Do you have to spend that entire amount?! Heck no, but it tells you your limits as expenses add up (and they will), or if you get a brilliant idea that may cost a little bit more. Identifying this amount most often requires having a very honest, somewhat uncomfortable, conversation with a third party (aka, your parents). Schedule a specific time to have the money conversation, tell them ahead of time what you would like to discuss, and then make sure a clear amount is determined before the conversation is over. Don’t be afraid!
Now that the money related conversations have been had, the most important thing you can do for your emotional planning health is BREAK UP WITH THE MONEY! You have to view that money as already spent, so that you don’t have spending guilt with every expense. Remember, you have identified how much money you can spend, you have had the conversations needed, now you can spend with clarity. Need help “breaking up” with the money? Below are some quick tips:
- Create a separate bank account for the money you will use to plan your wedding
- Determine ahead of time who will be physically paying vendor invoice
- Determine ahead of time who will be physically paying for the smaller expenses
- Discuss who will have a say in how the money is spent
- Discuss your options if you are over budget
- Always circle back to your wedding priorities to ensure your spending supports those priorities
Don’t let money steal your wedding planning joy! Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event, so your budget, no matter how big or how small, is worth it.