Here’s how to talk about a wedding budget with your partner.
Talking about money with your significant other can be tough. When it’s your wedding day, you’d probably love an unlimited budget to indulge in every luxury. But since no budget is truly limitless, you and your partner will need to discuss how much you can spend and how to divide that money among the different purchases you’ll need to make. Here’s how to talk about a wedding budget with your partner.
Get Familiar with Your Finances
If you and your partner will be contributing significantly to wedding costs, talk about your incomes and what your joint income looks like. If you haven’t discussed each other’s finances before, this is an opportunity to be honest about monthly expenses, debts, and other financial responsibilities. Determine how much you can set aside for monthly wedding expenses.
Know Where the Money is Coming From
Are your parents paying for the entire wedding, and if so, what is their proposed budget? Are you and your partner contributing significantly, or do you have to pay for everything yourselves? If you’re unsure how much money you’re receiving from your parents, confirm those figures before you have your budget discussion.
Seek Professional Advice
Not everyone is adept at handling money well and wisely. If you and your partner need some help, you may want to ask a professional. You could also visit a financial counselor together or take a couple’s course on budgeting and joint finances. Money issues are a top reason for marital stress, so getting on the same page about budgeting and sharing the responsibility of life’s expenses is important
Determine Priorities
Couples often find that their wedding priorities differ. One partner wants to spend most of the money on food and drinks while scaling back on the venue and flowers. The other may view the wedding venue as the most important and largest expense and prefer a more straightforward menu instead. Check online for sample breakdowns of wedding budgets to get an idea of what percentage couples usually spend in each category.
Don’t Stress
Both of you are under some stress, whether related to the wedding, family issues, career events, health problems, or other factors. If the two of you find yourselves fighting about the wedding budget, take a step back and look at the stressors in your lives. Find ways to alleviate or cope with the stress; have dinner, take a walk, enjoy a hobby together, or do something new. When you’re feeling less stressed about life, you can talk more calmly and reasonably about the wedding budget.
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE
Nestled in a peaceful wooded area in the heart of downtown Columbia, Historic Oakland Manor stands proudly in natural splendor. Elegant Oakland is the perfect setting for ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal showers, holiday parties, family celebrations, business meetings, or retreats. Schedule a tour today with our expert venue coordinators! Please call (410-730-4801), email ([email protected]), or visit our chat on our homepage to book a tour appointment.