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How to plan a wedding budget – Calendar system

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Wedding. Budget. Two words that cause stress on their own. Combine them? Perfect storm of stress and anxiety.

But wait.

Stop and think. How many couples have done this before you? Friends… family… the weird couple down the street… they all survived. You can too!

For those that don’t know me. I have a slight (major) tendency to be obsessed with spreadsheets. I use them for eeevvveeerrryyyttthiiinnnngggg. Seriously. Don’t stop reading though. I’m not going to scare you away with formulas and crazy math. Setting up a wedding budget is s.i.m.p.l.e. No spreadsheets needed.

wedding budget system using calendars

courtesy of: thetomkatstudio.com

All you need for this budgeting system is a calendar… you can print one right from Microsoft Word, or find one here, here, or just do a google search for more if you don’t like any of these.

Print out a monthly view of every month from now until your big day, and then print two more months after the wedding as well (just in case). With each page, you should write in your expenses as they arise, on the dates they are due. For example, if you have booked a reception venue, your contract will tell you when you owe payments. Write those bill amounts on the calendar for the days when they are due.

Calendar_Handwritten

Many vendors require a deposit early, and then full payment a week or two before the party. When you have caterers, a DJ, a florist, reception venue, etc … the list of expenses and due dates will grow quickly. This calendar system will give you an overview of when everything is due, and help you keep (some of) your sanity.

As new costs arise, pencil them into the date where they will be due. Once you pay each bill, write over them in black ink, cross them out, do something to help you enjoy the satisfaction of being one step closer to financial (and wedding) bliss!

Other good things to add to your budget calendar are paydays, credit card bills (usually the same day every month), and any large non-wedding expenses that could affect your bank accounts. Having a comprehensive understanding of your money will be tough, but it will alleviate TONS of stress later on. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather spend time to figure things out 8 months before the wedding, rather than find out that the bank account is on “E” with a few weeks to go!

The two most important parts of budgeting are to:

  • Be honest with yourself. Numbers don’t lie, and credit card companies don’t care how much you want to get married. Stay within your means!
  • Make sure you understand it! If there is a system that works for you, then use it! If these calendars aren’t your thing, that’s fine, just find something that does work, and stick to it!

Have a budgeting system that works for you? Share in the comments!

-Brooks


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