Smart Weddings: Three Ways to Plan for Your Perfect Wedding

“A low-budget, elegant wedding is within the reach of every couple.” -Polly Clements

It has always been a given that when a girl gets engaged, she starts envisioning what her wedding would be. She would be planning everything to meticulous detail—from the elaborate wedding invitations down to the kind of color scheme she wants to utilize in her wedding venue.

However, while all these sounds like an excellent idea on paper, bringing them into fruition would require hard work—as well as deep pockets (depending on the type of wedding you want to have). While the prospect itself sounds intimidating in itself, know that planning the perfect wedding is very much possible.

It might be a huge project, but with the right effort as well as a good support group, you can very much accomplish it. Wedding days might make you feel like swooning, but wedding plans tend to put a damper on that feeling. However, while weddings are potentially expensive and might even be fraught with drama, know that it is a once-in-a-lifetime beautiful event that is going to give you lasting memories.

If wedding expenses are the highlight of your worries, know that you can always compromise by looking for an affordable wedding venue instead. In any case, if you wish to survive the wedding planning phase, here are some of the things you need to do:

1. Balance it with your other goals

While marriage is a significant goal in life, do know that it is not the only goal in your life. Marriage is often regarded the first step towards many life goals and in this regard, you might be planning an elaborate wedding to make a significant mark on this first step in your brand new life. However, what else do you want to achieve after you are married?

Do you want kids? Build a career? Buy a new house? These are also things that you have to take into consideration and balancing them can be quite difficult. Keep in mind that while your wedding might seem like the only priority you have in mind, there are other things you would inevitably have to spend for. Do not go overboard with your expenses and know how to budget wisely.

2. Define your dream wedding

After you have figured out where your resources are going to be coming from, have a moment of introspection. Try to figure out what it is you want out of your wedding and resultantly, make a list of things that are absolute needs for your wedding and wants which you can compromise on. After you have zeroed in on the aspects of your wedding that are paramount to you, make these your priority and make a plan around them.

However, be realistic about your expectations and consider all the possibilities. Your dream wedding may be starkly different than the weddings you have attended or what bridal articles might suggest. But this does not mean that your wedding would be any less beautiful.

3. Finally, start crunching numbers

By now, you are already ready to estimate your costs. Think of all the expenses you are likely to incur, itemize them and start filling in the blanks. Of course, you would not have an idea how much the prices are likely going to be so talk to the vendors and professionals in your area and get quotes. Do not forget to pencil down the expenses that would right before and after the day itself.

Remember, the rehearsal dinner, the cleanup fees and your honeymoon are not going to pay for themselves so write those down. Once you have an approximate idea of how much your costs will be (both in time and money), you can revise it as much as you want until it can closely or accurately match your priorities for your dream wedding.