The Smart Money Wedding Guide - Step 1 - Identifying Priorities

This post is the first step from my e-book, "The Smart Money Wedding Guide - 7 Creative Ways to Save Money on your Wedding Without Sacrificing What You Want Most!" which is: Identifying Priorities.  

How to Identify Priorities:

1. Reflect on Your Values :

   • Take the time to talk out your values and overall vision for the wedding with your partner.
     
     Ask each other questions like:
   • What do we Value?
   • What aspects of the wedding hold the most sentimental value for us? 
   • Do we value a beautiful venue, or, will we be happy with a nice backyard wedding? 
   • Do we value exceptional gourmet food for us and the guests,  Or will we be happy with appetizers that our family can make?
   • Do we value expectational photography, or will we be happy with everyone's phone images?
   • Do we value fresh flowers, or will we be happy with fake flowers?
   • Do we value exceptional music by hiring a band or DJ, or will playing a blue tooth speaker be good enough for us?

2. Create a Wish List:

   • Develop a wish list that includes all the elements you envision for your wedding day. Include everything from the venue and catering to attire, decor, and entertainment.

3. Consider Your Guest List:

   • The number of guests directly influences your budget. Assess the size of your guest list and understand that a smaller wedding can often mean a more intimate and personalized experience for everyone.
   • If having a large number of guests is important to you, allocate a significant portion of your budget to catering and venue expenses.

4. Research Average Costs:

   • Familiarize yourself with the average costs associated with different wedding elements in your location. This will provide a realistic understanding of how much you might need to allocate for each category.
   • The venue and the catering will be the most expensive items on your budget.  Followed by Flowers, Photo, Video, then DJ

5. Discuss Non-Negotiables:

   • Communicate openly with your partner about the aspects of the wedding that are non-negotiable for each of you. This could be the dream venue, a specific photographer, or a particular style of attire.
     
     
6. Lastly - Assign the Money!

• After all of the above has been done, next assign most of your budget to your top 3 priorities.  Then assign less money to the bottom 3 items on your list.  This allocation will help you get what you want most!

By carefully identifying your priorities and allocating your budget based on what matters most to you as a couple, you can create a wedding day that is not only beautiful but also aligned with your values and vision. Remember, the key is to make intentional choices that reflect your unique love story.