One of the first steps in planning a wedding should be determining the
budget. Weddings can be very expensive, so it is a good idea to know what to expect ahead of
time. If you don’t keep up with all the costs from the start, you could commit yourself to more than you
realize. Even extra long distance phone calls need to be factored in to the budget to avoid expenses getting out of hand.
Traditionally, the bride’s family has incurred most of the cost of the
wedding. The groom’s family traditionally pays for the rehearsal dinner and the
honeymoon. However, if one family is better able to absorb the costs, it is certainly acceptable for that family to volunteer pay for more than their customary share. This matter should be handled delicately and tactfully to avoid any pre-wedding related tension and hurt feelings.
The following is a list of many of the possible expenses you may incur in planning your wedding. Keep in mind that not everyone will use everything listed. Determine your budget first, decide which items are mandatory and figure the total cost for those items. If you have any money left, go back and review the list to see if you wish to include any of the optional items. If you do not have enough money for the mandatory items, reassess your list. Maybe you can eliminate something or find a bargain somewhere.
Remember, a wedding should be a joyous occasion for everyone. Try not to make money a divisive issue. Simple can be elegant and beautiful. Be sure to involve your parents in planning discussions, not only because it will mean a lot to them to participate, but also because you will need to base your decisions on both yours and their particular circumstances.
