before we get married, but what is a good budget? our parents dont have a lot of money either, but they arent poor. should we take out a loan even though we both have student loans out? Oh, I will be done with school for 9 months before we get married.
2006-09-26 05:38:40 · 18 answers · asked by flutterflie04 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I will have been engaged for 21 months before I get married and I am in my 30s. Nothing wrong with that! Don't let people tell you otherwise. The extra time can be a killer because you have SO much time to plan and think about it... but it's a big help if you are trying to plan a big wedding or if you are trying to save money. We have a big wedding so it's nice to have the time.
A loan? Not such a great idea. I don't believe in going broke for a wedding. HOWEVER, a $5000.00 budget like someone else suggested may not cover what you want / need. I could never have a wedding with the guest list I have for $5000.00 unless I served punch and sent everyone home.
A budget is really tough to decide. You should do the following:
- Tentative guest list (at least a rough # of guests)
- Type of wedding you want (high end classy affair, casual BBQ style, something in between?)
- Time of year you are getting married (season does affect price, at least here in the North East)
- Size of wedding party (the more people, the more expensive the wedding will be - attendants gifts, transportation may be needed, etc).
So put some of those things down on paper. Then you can see what type of wedding budget you may need.
If you go to www.theknot.com and register yourself in there you can put together a wedding budget. It lists all of the things (or most) that you will need to consider when putting together your budget (cake, reception menu, entertainment, gifts, favors, etc).
Good luck!
2006-09-26 07:44:48 · answer #1 · answered by PT&L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like between the two of you, you should be able to set up a good budget for the wedding, as you'll both have time to work, before the wedding to get some money. I think small weddings, backyard weddings, beach parties, stuff like that, is awesome! I don't think you need to have a big place, a big wedding that you have to take a loan out on. You already are going to start in some debt from your school loans, so I think it is more important to talk to one another as to what kind of wedding you want, how many people there, what size bridal party, keep it small. It's just as fun! The more important fact here is that the two of you, have found one another, a celebration is nice, but you have a life to start together, and you don't want to start off in financial trouble. I would play it smart and have a quaint, smalltown wedding, no matter where you live unless somebody else wants to help you pay for it, or of course, there's always that money tree I am waiting for to grow! ; ) Good luck! Congratulations!
2006-09-26 08:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by Laurie S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it first kind of depends on where you live (big city or small town) and it also depends on what your guest list looks like. our guest list was about 300 with just immediate family, aunts/uncles and 1st cousins. Our wedding was about 5,000 without our rings. we had a medium to large wedding in our small hometown. Taking out a loan isn't too smart, you really don't need the sit-down, fine china, $20 a plate meal if you can't afford it. Since you have so much time until the wedding try to use it to your advantage. call around and get quotes from people, also concider doing some things yourself or having some of your crafty friends help. we made our own invitations out of a kit at Michael's and we also made all of our own flowers. these two things helped save us a lot of money, and were just as good, if not better than store bought.
also, keep in mind that you will be recieving gifts from your guests, and most people do give money for the wedding. (depending how much is on your registry) you can always use some of that money to pay for the hall, we deposited all of ours the monday right after the wedding to cover our check to the reception hall. you could also put it on a credit card and then use the gift money to pay it off as soon as you get the first bill. be cautious though, keep to whatever budget you pick. it's easy to say that something only costs a few cents, but muliply that by how many you have invited and it adds up soon.
2006-09-26 06:00:53 · answer #3 · answered by christina k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A loan for a wedding is not such a great idea. First I would figure out what you are really wanting for a wedding. Decide on this first. Do you want an outside or indoor wedding? Then estimate how many guest? Just in your head don't need to write it down or anything. Then get together with your parents and decide what they are willing to do for your wedding you might be surprised what they are willing to do. Then go from there, and start saving money up!! Wedding's can be expensive if you have to take a loan out then you can but try to pay for everything that you can so that you aren't miserable with all of these loans. Good luck and congratulations on your engagement!! I would start planning slowly but go ahead! I started planning early on and it was well worth it!! I wasn't stressed out at all.
2006-09-26 05:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by glitter3317 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't take out a loan. Why start your married life further in debt. Sit down and write down all of your ideas for your wedding. See how much this will all cost. If you can afford it great if not go back over the list and see where you can cut a little. It's possible to have a very nice wedding with little cash. Ask your friends and family if they or someone they know can take the pictures, make the cake or even deejay the event. Just remember not to let the money issue override the fun of the event. Congratulations.
2006-09-26 06:42:54 · answer #5 · answered by LJ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your parents and see what they are willing to spend on the wedding. If your fiance's parents will contribute too that would be great. Take the amounts they are willing to spend and plan a wedding within that budget. If, while you are working before you get married, you feel that you can contribute a little, then do so. Don't go into debt for the wedding. Marriage is hard enough without money problems.
Good luck to you both.
2006-09-26 10:23:59 · answer #6 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT take out a loan for a wedding. Live within your means. Getting into debt is a terrible way to start out a marriage. Have a wedding that you can afford. If that means going to the courthouse, then that's just fine. Paying back that loan plus your student loans will follow you for years and be a source of stress on yourself, your marriage, and your future.
2006-09-26 09:39:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why wait so long. I was engaged 2 months (I was not pregnant...we had a baby 18 months later)...now I have been married for 3 years.
For peace of mind you do not want anymore debt. pay cash
I spent less than $1000 on everything (honeymoon included) I had the dress made, the reception was at the church. The wedding was very small and private but it was more beautiful and anything.
I would say that a realistic budget is less than $5,000. Just enjoy the day, no one will remember what type of cake was served or what food they ate, they will remember you and how happy you look. Keep it simple. You can find a awesome things for not so much. Keep your eyes pealed and shop clearance.
2006-09-26 05:51:10 · answer #8 · answered by EmmaGee 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would strongly advise against taking our a loan on top of your student loans... Start saving up what you can (a jar for lose change for example) and buy things along the way. For example, on your next trip to Costco or Wal-Mart buy a few decorations or something for the reception. When you're only spending $20 here and there it's much easier to pay for a wedding!
2006-09-26 07:11:10 · answer #9 · answered by twelvegrains4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
21 months isnt that long. I am having a 2 year engagement. Im getting married July 4 2008, I wanted to enjoy our engagement and not deal with all the stress of trying to plan in one year. Also im in the same boat with the money. I picked up a second job, and believe or not have friends or family save their bottles and cans i made $1000.00 last year from it and hopefully i wil make more this year. Evry way you can save is great. Also we took our money from our enagement party and used that to book our reception site. Goodluck and enjoy your engagement!!!
2006-09-26 06:30:02 · answer #10 · answered by SO In LOVE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋