August 15, 2022

9 Common Wedding Budgeting Mistakes You Need to Avoid

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to budgeting. There’s no doubt that weddings can be extremely expensive – and if you’re working with limited funds, it can be tricky to fit everything in.
There are so many things to consider when it comes to wedding planning – not only the obvious expenses such as the venue and catering, but also the little details that really make the day special, such as the wedding stationery, decorations and accessories. It can be easy to make mistakes when budgeting for your wedding that can end up costing you a lot of money.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the most common wedding budgeting mistakes that people make, and how to avoid them. By following these tips, you can ensure that your wedding is affordable and within your budget!

1) Not Having a Budget

One of the most common wedding budgeting mistakes is not having a budget at all.
Without a budget in place, it can be very easy to overspend on your wedding. Costs can spiral out of control without you realising, and before you know it, you're running out of money before you've paid for half of the things you need. So, before you plan anything, budget it first!
When creating your budget, it’s important not to just set an overall amount that you’d like to spend on the wedding. Instead, be sure to separate your budget into each anticipated expense. Set a specific amount that you’re willing to spend on each of the different costs associated with your wedding, such as the venue, catering, dress, flowers, and photography.

2) Not Sticking to the Budget

This sounds pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a very important point to make. Once you’ve made your wedding budget, and separated it by each expense, it’s absolutely vital that you stick to your budget like glue.
It’s all too easy to go over by £20 here, £50 here, £100 here – because on their own, these extra little splashes here and there don’t seem that big of a deal. But added up, each overspend will start to eat into the budget for everything else. You may end up not being able to afford something really important to you, or going into debt.

3) Never Compromising

Another common mistake that couples make is never compromising. You need to be prepared to make some sacrifices if you want to stay within your budget.
For example, if the venue you love is out of your price range, consider choosing a different one that is more affordable but which might have some of the features you're looking for. Or, if you want to have a band at your wedding, but they're too expensive, consider hiring a DJ instead.

There's almost always something you can compromise on depending on what kind of wedding you want. If you want a smaller wedding, you simply won't need a big venue. If you're not that bothered about getting perfectly arranged photos, hire an amateur photographer or get a friend or relative to do it.

4) Putting All of Your Budget into the Dress

This is something that the bride needs to watch out for in particular: spending all (or most) of your wedding budget on the wedding dress. While it's important to look your best on your wedding day, you don't need to break the bank in order to do so.
There are plenty of beautiful and affordable dresses available, so don't feel like you have to spend a fortune on a gown.
There are many ways to save money on your wedding dress, such as shopping online or choosing a less traditional style that suits your personality. There are even second-hand wedding dress sites where you can grab a bargain on a designer dress. So, don't be afraid to get creative and shop around for the best deal!

5) Not Planning for Unforeseen Expenses

Something that often catches out unsuspecting newlyweds-to-be is failing to save room in their budget for emergencies, and unforeseen expenses.
Weddings are notorious for being expensive already, but beyond the basics, things can go wrong. Suppliers back out, things break or aren't as good as you'd hoped, and so on.
You should always budget some cash on hand in case of emergencies. This can come in handy if something goes wrong in the lead up to your wedding and you need to cover extra costs, or if you encounter a surprise expense that you hadn’t thought of when creating your budget (such as the cost of the stamps you’ll need to post your save the dates and invitations).

6) Not Shopping Around

Another common mistake that couples make is overpaying for wedding-related services, suppliers, accessories and décor by not shopping around.
For example, if you're hiring a wedding planner, be sure to get quotes from several different planners to find the best deal. By shopping around and comparing prices, you can save a lot of money on the services you need for your wedding.
Don’t forget that you can also order your wedding essentials online from a site such as Bride and Groom Direct – this is often cheaper than visiting dedicated wedding stores, but the quality is just as good.

7) Not Taking Advantage of Discounts

One of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding is to take advantage of discounts. There are many different discounts available for couples getting married, so be sure to take advantage of them!
Some of the most common discounts include those offered by hotels, airlines, and wedding suppliers. So, be sure to ask about any discounts they may offer before you book anything. You can also find discount codes online, so be sure to do a quick search before making any purchases. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can save a lot of money on your wedding budget.
At Bride and Groom Direct, we offer a range of wedding stationery at very affordable prices. You can even order free samples so that you know exactly what you’re getting before you buy!

8) Not Being Prepared to Negotiate

Another mistake that engaged couples often make is not being prepared to negotiate – or not knowing that you even can, or how to do so. You’ll find that the vast majority of wedding suppliers’ rates aren’t set in stone, and there is always some wiggle room.
For example, if you're hiring a photographer, you could ask for a discount if you book early, or pay in full several months before the big day. Or, if you're booking a hotel room for your wedding night, be sure to ask about any discounts they may offer for couples getting married. Even if it's not in your nature to haggle, you might just surprise yourself, and save yourself money to the tune of hundreds of pounds!

9) Forgetting About the Honeymoon

Last but not least, one of the biggest mistakes that couples make is forgetting to include the honeymoon in their wedding budget. You might be so focused on the big day itself that you forget about what comes afterwards. Big trips, especially all-inclusive ones, can be eye-wateringly expensive!

A honeymoon doesn't have to break the bank. There are all sorts of budget options available that would still make for a beautiful and romantic holiday! City breaks in Paris or Rome, for example, are as romantic as it gets. And if it's a sunny beach holiday you'd prefer, why not go to the Canaries or Azores rather than the Caribbean? Whatever your plans, though, the most important thing is that you remember to consider them while you’re figuring out how much to spend on your wedding.

Save Money on Wedding Stationery and Accessories with Bride and Groom Direct

Nobody said that budgeting is easy. That's why, at Bride and Groom Direct, we want to make it as easy as possible for you!
We offer a beautiful range of wedding stationery, professionally printed and delivered to your door at competitive prices. We stock a huge range of save the dates, invitations, thank you cards and more, all designed to fit with various wedding themes and colour schemes.
All of our stationery stock can be fully personalised, is easy to order, and is cheap enough to leave more of your budget free for other expenses. We also sell a range of affordable wedding accessories such as favour boxes, aisle runners, guest books and more.