Congratulations on your engagement! Now the big day is fast approaching and there are a million things to think about and coordinate. One of the most important details, and undoubtedly one of the most stressful, is your wedding budget. Follow this advice to help you save money and keep your sanity while you plan the stunning Minnesota wedding of your dreams.

Create a detailed budget as soon as possible

The first step is to create a detailed budget which includes all possible expenses related to your wedding. Sit down with your partner, parents, or whoever is helping you finance the wedding, and be realistic about what you can afford to spend. Factor in the cost of the venue, catering, decorations, flowers, invitations, favors, transportation, music, photobooths, rentals, etc. Nothing should be left out. Once you have a number in mind, you can start looking at ways to save money in each category.

Be mindful of hidden costs that can add up quickly such as service charges, gratuities, state taxes, permits, and alcohol. Many couples forget to factor in these additional expenses when they are setting their budget which can lead to big problems down the road. Creating a detailed budget at the start will save you a lot of headaches later on.

Choose Your Priorities

There are so many aspects of weddings that it can be difficult (and costly) to include everything that you want. That’s why it’s important to sit down with your partner at the start and decide what aspects of the wedding are most important to you. Is it crucial that you have an open bar? Or is photos more important? Once you know what means the most to you as a couple, you can direct more of your resources towards those areas skimping in other areas where it won’t make as much of a difference.

Planning a wedding is no small feat but by following this advice and getting organized from the start, you can pull off your dream wedding without breaking the bank. Decide what aspects of the wedding are most important to you as couple and focus your resources there while being mindful of hidden costs that can easily add up. With careful planning and execution, your perfect day will come together perfectly without blowing your budget.

Happy planning.