It’s the peak time of year for engagements and couples are getting down to the nitty gritty of launching some serious wedding planning.  And most couples are also realizing that those picture-perfect weddings à la Martha Stewart can come with a pretty hefty price tag!  So I’ve got a few tips for sticking to that budget as you commence your wedding planning:

Image courtesy of Big Wedding Tiny Budget

1. Know your budget and stick to it! It is never a good idea to start your new marriage with mountains of debt!  This means knowing what is feasible for your budget and being honest about that with your vendors from the get go.  A good vendor will similarly be up front with all of their pricing and will not hesitate to answer any questions you have about fees and service charges.

2. Research, research, research! Don’t make the all-too-common mistake of thinking you can book your dream vendor now and then try to renegotiate the pricing or ask for a discount later.  Once you’ve signed your contract, you are committed to the agreement.

3. You get what you pay for: Don’t fall for the temptation of hiring the least expensive choice in venues or vendors!  Good vendors go a long way in making your day stress-free.  I too often hear brides complaining that this vendor they got a “great deal” on doesn’t return their phone calls promptly.  If they are hard to get on the phone before they have your deposit, it is not going to change once you sign the contract and give them your money!

4. Consider value above price: From a budget standpoint, you should carefully consider what services are included for each vendor versus how much you are willing to arrange on your own.  This is particularly key when researching venues. For example, some venues provide all of your tables, chairs, silverware, glassware, and etcetera while others don’t.  If you’re trying to plan from out of town or if you don’t plan on hiring a professional wedding coordinator, then it is going to be much less hassle to pick a place that will take care of those little details for you.

5. Crunch the numbers: The cost of a “more expensive” vendor that includes more services in their base fee very often is actually less in the long run.  For example, do those discount wedding invitations come with reply cards or other accessory pieces that you need?  Carefully calculate all of the costs for “less expensive” vendors so you can feel confident you’re comparing apples to apples and getting the most for your money.

6. Sleep on it: Don’t feel pressured to make any decisions on the spot.  Giving yourself the distance of a good night’s sleep (or two) can go a long way towards removing the often pricey emotional component from budget-impacting decisions.