Money can be the most stressful part of planning a wedding.  This deals with the budget, who’s pocket the money is coming out of, and where the priority is to allocate funds.  Although your wedding planner can advise you on this, it ultimately comes down to the couple and their parents allocating the big bucks.  Here are some tips to help maintain your cool and stay on track:

• Discuss where the money for the wedding will be coming from.  Is it you and your fiancee, your parents, grandparents, or a split between multiple parties?
• Set a budget for the ENTIRE wedding based on how much you are WILLING to spend (not on all your savings).  In this, make sure you include the cost of smaller things like invitations, party favors, centerpieces, beverages, etc.  Those side costs can add up to some major bucks.
• Get all involved parties to agree on the budget (bride, groom, parents, grandparents…etc.)  This is important because the people paying for the wedding should be happy with how much they are spending on it and what they’re spending their money on.
• Strictly stick to the budget that was set.  Spending “a little” extra money here and there can often set spending over the top.
• Discuss the more vital components that may be allocated a greater amount of money.  Some people think the venue is most important, while others would rather splurge on entertainment, so make sure that everyone is on the same page
• Take into consideration the cost of your honeymoon when setting your budget.  Don’t spend all your money on the wedding and forget about the honeymoon, it’s pretty expensive too.
• Having a firm budget helps make choosing vendors easier.  This way your wedding planner can show you venues and caterers that fit into your budget.
• Collect and save all receipts for wedding expenses.  This is especially important if you’re splitting the costs because it avoids any possible confusion.
• If you need to reduce the money you’re spending on the wedding, the best way to dramatically lower your spending is to cut the guest list.

Keep these simple tips in mind and control your budget before you start planning your wedding.  Enjoy your wedding planning experience!  Remember, it’s not ALL about the money.