Creating A Wedding Budget You Both Agree On
One of the most important things you will do throughout the process of putting your wedding together is creating a budget and keeping things on track. Create a budget together so that you are both “in the know” and agree on how much is going to be spent. Many couples who don’t do this end up having unnecessary arguments about it down the track - some even continue for years once they’re even married, referring back to “the wedding that put us into debt” type of conversations. You do not want to start your married life like this.
Create it together and it’s up to both of you to keep it on track. Be honest about it and realistic. Don’t keep seperate budget form your partner for extra things that you don’t want them to know about - just create one budget for the two of you.
To help you with the process I have put together a budget template here that you can download.
Your 1st step is to add in what your wedding budget is in the top right.
Your 2nd step is to establish your budget. Add in all the costs you ESTIMATE you will be up for along the way. The spreadsheet will automatically keep track of a running total for each section as well as a grand total in the second row on the top far right.
Then in the rows below that, your spreadsheet will automatically calculate how much is left in your budget.
Your 3rd step is to add in the actual costs once you firm them up (even before you’ve paid for them), and ADD them in the Actual column for each item. This will automatically add up all of the Actual costs for each section as well as the Total Actual Costs in the 4th row on the top right. This will let you see how you’re going with your actual budget.
Always keep it updated and refer to it often and stick to it.
To download a version in Apple’s Numbers or in Excel for PC, click the links below.
Steve Mummery is a celebrant based in Perth
You can find him online at smcelebrant.com.au or facebook at smcelebrant, Instagram @smcelebrant or you can find lots of wedding inspiration on his Pinterest page @smcelebrant including wedding & engagement rings, dresses, shoes, groom's attire, flowers, arbours, the lot.
Call Steve to chat about your wedding ceremony today on 0418 897 215 or email steve@smcelebrant.com.au