How to Pay for Your Own Wedding

The prospect of paying for your own wedding may be a bit daunting - but you'll be in the driver's seat from the get-go, and there are plenty of ways to save.

Instructions

STEP 1: Set a wedding budget. Be realistic about what you have to spend, and get creative to fill in the gaps. Use the following breakdown as a guideline: Allot 40 percent of your budget for the reception, caterer and rental supplies; 14 percent for wedding attire; 10 percent for a photographer or videographer; 10 percent for a DJ or band; 10 percent for a florist; 5 percent for a jeweler; 4 percent for invitations; 2 percent for gifts for attendants; 2 percent for transportation; and the remaining 3 percent for miscellaneous expenses.

STEP 2: Open a special wedding bank account that you and your loved one can contribute to.

STEP 3: Start saving as soon as the engagement begins. Cut down on daily expenses wherever possible, and set aside 15 percent from each of your paychecks to add to your savings.

STEP 4: Get your friends and family involved - utilize their hidden talents and connections. Do you have a baker friend who can whip up a great cake? Is your sister acquainted with a member of an orchestral quartet?

STEP 5: Do it yourself whenever you can - be your own music coordinator, florist, maybe even your own chef (with some help, of course).

Tips & Warnings

--Consider hiring a wedding consultant. Doing so may seem like a luxury, but a good consultant can save you money in lots of unexpected ways, as well as time.
--Keep the 10 percent rule in mind: You may have to pay 10 percent more than what your budget calls for.

 

Send mail to KeysDAN@keysdan.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1986-2012 KeysDAN Enterprises, Inc