Wedding Day Checklist: Don't Break Your Wedding Budget

Birchwoods Banquet FacilityPlanning a wedding budget is almost never easy. There will be hard decisions to make and you may find yourself crunching numbers right up until the last minute. It's easy to lose track of all the things that need to be paid and go over budget.

It's important to realize where you can go over your budget and stay within the budget limits.

Be on the lookout for the following budget pratfalls:

Inviting too many people. Creating a guest list bigger than what you can afford is a sure-fire way to go over budget. Food and drinks are very expensive so be certain that you can afford the number of people you want to invite. If not, you've got to whittle down that guest list.

Brunch the next morning. This does not mean you need to eliminate the gathering the morning after the wedding, it just means don't forget to include this in your wedding budget. This could be an expensive item to overlook.

Don't forget the accessories. Special jewelry bought specifically for the wedding should be included in the wedding budget. If you want to save some money here, consider borrowing such accessories.

Decide on a meal plan. Will it be a buffet or plated meal at the reception? Check with your wedding reception venue to go over the pricing of the meal plans.

Keep an eye on the little things. Those special napkin holders you want for eating setting at the wedding reception will add up. So will those flowers at each table. Be careful when adding those extras. Everything has to be part of your budget. It something send you over budget, it's time to trim.