Oh, yes, wedding costs can soar along with inflation. Last thing anyone wants is maxing out their credit cards, and going way over budget. Enjoying the wedding experience doesn’t have to mean spending more than you initially planned. You can easily avoid overspending while still achieving your dream wedding.

Here’s how!

This is an important discussion to have before you officially start planning your wedding and booking suppliers. It’s good to be honest with each other about your financial circumstances, then figure out how much of your income you’re willing to set aside to cover the wedding costs. Identify your priorities and stick with them! A nugget of wisdom we’d like to share is to not spend beyond your means just to impress other people. The bills won’t be worth it! This brings us to our next point:

Once you’ve set your budget, stick to it. That extra piece of decor or that little detail you saw online will rack up expenses. Ask yourself first if an item is necessary or not.

There’s also nothing wrong with choosing installment options or flexible payment arrangements for as long as you can pay everything off in a timely manner. If you’re anticipating cash gifts from loved ones, try to reserve these funds for your future needs or to help cover some of your wedding expenses.

Invest in the suppliers that matter to you the most. Be on the same page about which suppliers to prioritize, then adjust your budget allocation for the rest of your suppliers accordingly. Ask yourselves what you’re willing to compromise on. Do you really need to send a full bag of goodies to propose to your entourage or would a handwritten letter be enough? Is a ceiling treatment something you need or is it just nice to have? Also, don’t forget to factor in the small expenses, like courier services, because these can add up.

Loved ones, like your parents, will probably contribute to your wedding funds. Ninangs and Ninongs might even be willing to sponsor things such as your attire or wedding rings, while friends would offer their services to make your celebration extra special (like singing for your wedding or DIY-ing your invitations minus the talent fee!). It’s absolutely okay to say yes to their generosity. These are gestures coming from the bottom of their hearts, genuinely because they care about you and want you to have a memorable wedding. You can always express your gratitude in kind afterwards!

In the words of our Head of Content, “An excel file is the key to a happy marriage.” Much like how you track your personal expenses, have a dedicated file/planner/document for your wedding. Having a system also allows you to carefully track and remember where your money is going and how much you’ve already spent.

Now, remember, there might be instances when unexpected expenses pop up. So, plan for a bit of wiggle room in your budget to accommodate these costs. You can also put a price cap on how much you’re willing to extend your budget so you wouldn’t have to spend beyond what you can afford.

There you have it! These are some of our practical tips to help you budget your wedding! Do you have other wedding budget hacks to share? Help your fellow brides and grooms out in the comments.