When it comes to living within your wedding budget, you'll find that impulse will be your biggest enemy.
Pressure will run a close second.
Pressure will come from friends and family (who think they are helping you) and vendors.
They will all have ideas that will cost you plenty.
It can be very easy to give in to impulsive behavior and get drawn into the fantasy aspects of your wedding.
So, just how can you build up immunity to these outside pressures and your impulses? All you have to do is keep this Acronym in mind: WEDDING! W Wait! Never make a purchase or sign a contract until you wait at least 24 hours.
This will give you time to think and talk it over with your spouse to be.
E Evaluate Never make a purchase or sign a contract without getting at least prices or bids from three other vendors.
And be sure that all bids / quotes / contracts have as much detail in them as possible so you will be able to compare prices, the services provided and the value associated with each bid.
D Define Be sure to define exactly how a particular purchase or expense fits into you having the wedding of your dreams.
If a purchase doesn't fit into that ultimate goal, don't make the purchase or sign the contract.
D Discuss Discussing purchases and various options with your soon to be better half, friend or family member.
Go over the pros and cons.
Sometimes the opinions of others can confirm what you were thinking yourself, or present an opposing view that may get you to change your mind.
I Insure Yep, insure.
You've got to have a backup plan in place in the likely event that there are glitches or expenses that were forgotten about or unexpected.
One way that many a wedding days have been saved is by having a nice suit on standby for the groom in case the rented tux doesn't fit for some reason.
Consider starting an "insurance" account / side bank account to cover for things that go over your planned and agreed upon budget.
N Negotiate Always be prepared to ask for what you want.
Understand ahead of time what you are willing to give in a bit on and what you will stand firm on.
A prepared negotiator always fares better than an unprepared one.
Also - he or she who mentions price first usually ends up on the losing end.
G Get Away Be sure to take breaks often from planning your wedding.
Do something else you enjoy - even if it's only for a short period of time.
Take a walk, play a game, watch TV, etc.
Take a break as often as you feel its necessary.
If you don't, you just may go mad! There are some additional tips that are worth mentioning that don't fit into the acronym...
Always keep your budget, written list of priorities and your financial goals with you at all times.
The more you see them, you'll realize these were agreed to by you and your spouse to be.
This way, you'll be less likely to conveniently forget about them at a wedding show or meeting with one of your vendors.
Post these things on your refrigerator, at your desk, on your bedroom mirror.
Anywhere you'll see them regularly.
Always take your wedding budget with you when you go out shopping for wedding related items.
Continually refer to it.
Remind yourself regularly what you and your spouse to be agreed on spending.
This works very well when you are meeting with a vendor and will get them to back off when you show it to them.
"Hey Mr.
Vendor, here's my budget - this figure is my absolute max.
You may find that if your wedding is during an off peak period, many vendors will be willing to adjust pricing when asked.
Pass the buck! This works great in a lot of situation, but especially so in this situation.
Anytime a family member, friend of vendor trays to get you to spend more money, simply tell them that all expenses for the wedding have to be discussed between you and your spouse to be prior to making a commitment.
This will help you in pressure situations as well as a cure for impulsive behavior.
Never take your checkbook or credit cards with you when you have a vendor meeting! Do this, and you may just get your wedding to come in under budget.
This will allow you to step back from all the excitement and you'll be less likely to let impulsive behavior get you into a situation that you'll regret later on.
Keep in mind that your wedding day is only one day.
It's the foundation on which you'll start building your life with your spouse.
Discussing goals and priorities ahead of time and ensuring that you adhere to the plan will give you great practice as these are the kind of skills that will go a long way to ensuring your marriage is a long and happy one.
Pressure will run a close second.
Pressure will come from friends and family (who think they are helping you) and vendors.
They will all have ideas that will cost you plenty.
It can be very easy to give in to impulsive behavior and get drawn into the fantasy aspects of your wedding.
So, just how can you build up immunity to these outside pressures and your impulses? All you have to do is keep this Acronym in mind: WEDDING! W Wait! Never make a purchase or sign a contract until you wait at least 24 hours.
This will give you time to think and talk it over with your spouse to be.
E Evaluate Never make a purchase or sign a contract without getting at least prices or bids from three other vendors.
And be sure that all bids / quotes / contracts have as much detail in them as possible so you will be able to compare prices, the services provided and the value associated with each bid.
D Define Be sure to define exactly how a particular purchase or expense fits into you having the wedding of your dreams.
If a purchase doesn't fit into that ultimate goal, don't make the purchase or sign the contract.
D Discuss Discussing purchases and various options with your soon to be better half, friend or family member.
Go over the pros and cons.
Sometimes the opinions of others can confirm what you were thinking yourself, or present an opposing view that may get you to change your mind.
I Insure Yep, insure.
You've got to have a backup plan in place in the likely event that there are glitches or expenses that were forgotten about or unexpected.
One way that many a wedding days have been saved is by having a nice suit on standby for the groom in case the rented tux doesn't fit for some reason.
Consider starting an "insurance" account / side bank account to cover for things that go over your planned and agreed upon budget.
N Negotiate Always be prepared to ask for what you want.
Understand ahead of time what you are willing to give in a bit on and what you will stand firm on.
A prepared negotiator always fares better than an unprepared one.
Also - he or she who mentions price first usually ends up on the losing end.
G Get Away Be sure to take breaks often from planning your wedding.
Do something else you enjoy - even if it's only for a short period of time.
Take a walk, play a game, watch TV, etc.
Take a break as often as you feel its necessary.
If you don't, you just may go mad! There are some additional tips that are worth mentioning that don't fit into the acronym...
Always keep your budget, written list of priorities and your financial goals with you at all times.
The more you see them, you'll realize these were agreed to by you and your spouse to be.
This way, you'll be less likely to conveniently forget about them at a wedding show or meeting with one of your vendors.
Post these things on your refrigerator, at your desk, on your bedroom mirror.
Anywhere you'll see them regularly.
Always take your wedding budget with you when you go out shopping for wedding related items.
Continually refer to it.
Remind yourself regularly what you and your spouse to be agreed on spending.
This works very well when you are meeting with a vendor and will get them to back off when you show it to them.
"Hey Mr.
Vendor, here's my budget - this figure is my absolute max.
You may find that if your wedding is during an off peak period, many vendors will be willing to adjust pricing when asked.
Pass the buck! This works great in a lot of situation, but especially so in this situation.
Anytime a family member, friend of vendor trays to get you to spend more money, simply tell them that all expenses for the wedding have to be discussed between you and your spouse to be prior to making a commitment.
This will help you in pressure situations as well as a cure for impulsive behavior.
Never take your checkbook or credit cards with you when you have a vendor meeting! Do this, and you may just get your wedding to come in under budget.
This will allow you to step back from all the excitement and you'll be less likely to let impulsive behavior get you into a situation that you'll regret later on.
Keep in mind that your wedding day is only one day.
It's the foundation on which you'll start building your life with your spouse.
Discussing goals and priorities ahead of time and ensuring that you adhere to the plan will give you great practice as these are the kind of skills that will go a long way to ensuring your marriage is a long and happy one.
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