Bridal Budgeting: How to Avoid Buyer's Remorse

There's one thing we at For The Bride cannot stress enough when it comes to wedding planning- make a budget and hold on tight to it! A wedding, just like any other major purchase, should have a limit as to how much can be spent. While flexibility is necessary (you will wear those expensive shoes after the wedding right?), it's important to know where to draw the line. So without further lecture here are our top three tips to avoid buyer's remorse when it comes to planning your big day...

1. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'MUST HAVE' AND 'I CAN LIVE WITH-OUT'
You've always had your ideal wedding in your mind but have you listed all the elements of that wedding on paper? Jotting down everything you need from food (really) to custom invitations and classifying it as 'must have' and 'I can live with-out' will help you quickly realize your budget's give-and-take. This way you can see that by downgrading to non-custom (yet still beautiful) invitations you can upgrade from buffet to a plated dinner or town car to Rolls Royce.

2. CHECK AND UPDATE YOUR BUDGET AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE
Create a document that has your total budget, necessary purchases, budget per purchase, and amounts actually spent. Keep this document handy and update it often to track where you need to be strict and where you have wiggle room. Put your 'must haves' at the top of the list so you will focus on making those purchases first. Print the budget out and put it in your purse as a reminder when you are shopping so you won't have to make any guesses when it's decision-making time.

3. GIVE IT A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE COMMITTING
You didn't choose your fiancé in a day so why should you choose your dress in less than 24 hours?Taking time to think through decisions will give you the chance to rationalize about what is the best choice for you. Call your fiancé or a friend to tell them the pros and cons of getting the more expensive flower arrangements, the pricer handbag or the luxury table linens. You might change your mind when your husband-to-be tells you the extra $1000 you would spend on taller centerpieces could be used for a down payment on the new car you've been eyeing.

By Stacy Holz