3 "C" secrets to planning your budget-easy dream wedding

Even if you’re extremely organized, budgeting for your wedding can be very difficult. Here are three "C" secrets to help you plan your dream wedding and avoid unexpected costs.

Each partner has his or her own idea of the perfect wedding day. It's really important to take the time to discuss every detail of the ceremony and reception so both parties are on the same page.

• To avoid going overboard, come up with a realistic budget (and stick to it) so the money spent can make your dream wedding a reality.
• There are several good websites that offer wedding budget templates and models. They can be very helpful to remember everything and help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

With all the excitement surrounding the planning of the ceremony and reception, you might forget to include a few unavoidable expenses in your budget such as:

• Place setting and linen rentals: You may think the cutlery, crockery and tablecloths are included in the price of the reception room. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some reception halls offer a variety of place settings at various price points to choose from.
• Tipping: In addition to the salary you will pay them, it is recommended you also tip your photographer, as well as musicians and any other staff.
• Rehearsal costs: At times, the costs associated with the reception rehearsal dinner are left out of the original wedding day budget. It would be wise to determine and include this in the expense as it’s usually more than you’d think.
• Buffer budget: Lastly, always leave a portion of your budget for unexpected expenses as they will inevitably come up. Anticipating additional costs will reduce the impact of any “surprises” that arise along the way and will lower your stress level as you plan for your big day.

There are many ways for you to avoid financial ruin in planning for this special day. Substantial savings can be made on the following:

• Photos: Ask a friend or a family member who knows their way around a camera to take your wedding photos. Renting a high-performance camera will probably cost you a lot less than the services of a professional photographer.
• Decorations: Instead of buying them, you can make the reception hall decorations yourself. With the help of a few of your friends you can also do all the preparations to set up the reception hall for the wedding. These two suggestions might take a little more time and energy, but they will save you a bundle of money in the end.
• Music: Hiring a DJ or a band can be very expensive. A possible alternative is to create your own playlist/compilation on a CD, complete with all the songs that you’d like to hear at your wedding. Press play and enjoy the party!
• The location of the ceremony and reception: There is a very good chance you can get a discount on the reception hall if you’re getting married on a weekday or even in winter.