Are you overburdened with all the bills with no one to help you out? Or, are you worried about a long to-do list with numerous ‘advisers’ but no help in sight?
This is one time to pause and breathe! Yes, Breathe in…Breathe out…
Now that you’ve taken a breath, here’s what to do to get control of your wedding expenses three months before your wedding:
1. Make two lists; a Must-Have List and a Nice-to-Have List. Grab your fiancé to do this with you.
Your Must-Have list contains things you know you need to make the wedding the most successful to you.
Your Nice-to-have list is for anything else that will be good to have but does not determine your wedding’s success or your happiness. Let’s not deceive ourselves, not everything is a must-have so be true to yourselves as a couple and make that clear from the beginning.
2. Review your Must-Have list and put a timeframe to each item with the corresponding cost. Thankfully, I have created a wonderful Wedding Budget Template to help.
3. Make notes of when the next stream of income will come and plan for it. If you earn monthly, plan ahead on how much of it goes into your wedding.
4. According to priority, review your Nice-to-Have list and add the maximum you can spend on each item.
5. When money comes in, check off something on your Must-Have List. Repeat until everything is checked off.
6. Use extra income to start checking things off your Nice-to-Have list, in order of priority.
7. When help is offered, as long as you have items on your Must-Have list, channel all help to this list first before anything else.
8. Repeat as often as required. In my line of business, I’ve realised that the smartest brides are those who always stay on top of their finances.
Remember, the whole essence of this is for you to take one day at a time. There is no need getting so frustrated about what isn’t available or living beyond you.
You’re on your own budget! #NoComparison.
Always remember, you’re not alone and I’m always here to help.