You and your fiancé are so excited to plan your wedding! But where do you start? As you begin to budget and save for your big day, don’t forget these essential tips.
First, create a joint account for wedding savings. This will make tracking your progress easier and avoid confusion about who is responsible for what.
Second, be smart about the expenses you choose to splurge on. There are many affordable options for wedding essentials, like catering, decorations, and invitations.
Finally, be creative! There are many ways to save money on your wedding without compromising on style or quality.
Use these tips as a starting point and get creative to find the best way to save for your dream wedding.
Figure Out Your Priorities
The first step in saving for your wedding is figuring out your priorities. What’s the most important to you? Is it the venue? The food? The photography?
Sit down and make a list of all the things that are important to you and your fiancé. This will help you figure out where to start when it comes to saving. For example, if photography is a top priority for you, then you might want to start by saving for that first.
Set a Budget
No one ever said saving for your wedding would be easy, but it’s doable if you set your mind to it. Start by sitting down with your partner and coming up with a budget. Figure out how much you can realistically save each month, and what expenses you can cut back on.
There are a lot of creative ways to save money on your wedding, from choosing a less-expensive venue to DIYing some of the decorations. You can also save on the essentials, like catering and photography, by shopping around for the best deals.
If you both contribute to the wedding savings fund and stick to the budget, you’ll be well on your way to having the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Decide How You’ll Save
Now that you have an idea of what your wedding will cost, it’s time to start saving. How you save is up to you, but there are a few ways to make it easier. One option is to open a joint account with your fiancé and deposit a set amount of money each month. This takes the guesswork out of saving and helps you stay on track.
Another option is to split your expenses evenly. This can be tricky, but it ensures that no one feels responsible for the entire budget. You can also save on the essentials of your wedding by shopping around for deals, using coupons, and taking advantage of sales. Whatever route you choose, make sure to start saving as early as possible, the closer you get to your wedding day, the harder it becomes to save money.
Automate Your Savings
Saving for your wedding doesn’t have to be a chore, you can actually automate your savings so that you’re putting money away without even thinking about it.
One of the best ways to do this is to set up a separate savings account that’s dedicated to your wedding fund, and then set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This way, you can ensure that you’re putting money aside each month without having to remember to do it manually.
Another terrific way to automate your savings is to use a service like Digit, which analyzes your spending habits and then automatically transfers small amounts of money from your checking account to your savings account based on what it thinks you can afford. This is a great way to boost your savings without feeling like you’re depriving yourself.
Invest for the Long Term
When it comes to investing for your wedding, you’ll want to think about the long term. This means considering things like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably thinking that you don’t have enough money to invest, and that’s fair. But the truth is that you can start small. invest $20 a week into a mutual fund, and over time, which can really add up.
The key is to start now and to stay consistent. If you do that, you’ll be in good shape when it comes time to pay for your wedding.
Know When to Splurge and When to Save
You’re probably wondering whether you should be splurging or saving on certain wedding-related items. Here’s a general guideline:
- Your wedding dress: Splurge
- Your groom’s tuxedo or suit: Save
- The engagement ring: Splurge
- The wedding band: Save
- The wedding cake: Save
- The flowers: Splurge
Of course, this is just a guideline, and you can choose to splurge or save on whatever you want. But if you’re trying to stay within a budget, these are some good general rules to follow.
So, there you have it, the ultimate guide to saving for your wedding. Now that you know all the ins and outs of how to save, it’s time to get started. The sooner you start saving, the less stressful the wedding planning process will be. And, who knows, maybe you’ll even have money left to put towards a honeymoon or a down payment on a house.
About Bank Independent
Since 1947, Bank Independent has taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most. With 30 traditional Sales Offices across North Alabama, an on-campus Deshler Tiger Branch, and the Digital Sales Office, we’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products, and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All our team members reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering. To become part of a bank that makes a positive difference in people’s lives, visit us at bibank.com.
