So Over Budget

brandichamberlain

Well, I figured I'd probably go over a little... but I just added it up, and I've doubled what we originally wanted to spend.  I think I was a little naive about the budget in comparison to what I wanted anyway.  How many of you have gone over your budget?

KarleeKrause35

That is really not good. In my mind, budgets are there for a reason. They outline what you can afford. To me, this means you've spent twice as much as you could afford. If it were me, it just wouldn't sit well as beginning a marriage with debt is not healthy.

Are there any areas that you can cut in order to get back on track?

Avion22

We didn't have a firm budget to begin with, but we're definitely spending more than we set out to.  We can afford it, so it's not a big deal at all, and I'm really happy with what we are getting for our money.

The thing about weddings is that you don't write one big check at the end, it's a lot more spread out.  We've probably paid for about half of our wedding through deposits and stuff over the last six months, so it hasn't been as big of a burden as we thought it was going to be, which is why we're okay with spending more money.

brandichamberlain

Well essentially we set a budget for what we wanted to spend (we took what my Dad told us he wanted to help with and then added the same amount). Then, FI got a part time job and decided all of his paychecks were going into our wedding fund. I can afford it without any issues, I just didn't expect to spend this much.  In the area we are getting married to have a venue with a pasta bar dinner and beer/wine open bar was the entire amount of our original budget.  I've tracked every penny that I have spent, and had that sort of thing been less expensive (like I originally thought) we would have been much closer.

brandichamberlain

I even bought a lot of my reception things from the classified boards, and waited to get all of my invitations and STD with a coupon. I've shopped smartly, I just didn't realize the cost of everything. 

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:cbae9901-7bac-4762-804c-f9582b37bef4">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]Have you not been tracking your spending?  With 8 months to do, I'd be afraid you'll just keep spending.   <strong>Start an Excel sheet and make sure you know where the $ is going and what is left to pay on things you've already committed (signed contracts for</strong>). If there are items that can be scaled back/cut out, I'd do it. We made a deal that if we went over in one area, we'd cut another area back.  In the end, we were about $1400 under budget.
Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]

I have a separate checking account as well as a list of everything that we have left to pay.  When I say we're over budget: I'm calculating all of the things that we still have to pay for (photographer, rehearsal dinner, flowers, and cake - just about everything else is paid for that can be) not necessarily what we have already spent. The excel idea is great though. It might be easier than all of my sheets of paper :)

KarleeKrause35

It is very easy to let the numbers creep up, but like Duds said, you've still got 8 months to go. Have you really planned your whole wedding already or are there still things you have to purchase?


ETA: I just saw your response to Duds.

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:0f587bb4-ae90-4af9-8ee0-bdec305bc3be">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]It is very easy to let the numbers creep up, but like Duds said, you've still got 8 months to go. Have you really planned your whole wedding already or are there still things you have to purchase?
Posted by KarleeKrause35[/QUOTE]

The last few things to do are the flowers and cake ( we're doing that this weekend) get FI's suit, get my hair done, and pick the place for the rehearsal dinner.  I have budgeted in my total for those things.

Now, were there any last minute items that any one else had come up that they never would have thought of? That could happen. 

KarleeKrause35

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:17a03ea1-1aa6-4d42-9691-8bc041dba369">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: So Over Budget : The last few things to do are the flowers and cake ( we're doing that this weekend) get FI's suit, get my hair done, and pick the place for the rehearsal dinner.  I have budgeted in my total for those things. Now, were there any last minute items that any one else had come up that they never would have thought of? That could happen. 
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]

I tried to factor in everything I could when making my budget, even little things, so there was so surprises. Have you accounted for bridesmaids/parents gifts? It's good to know what you're willing to spend there as well. I also accounted for accessories like my cake topper and serving set. I factor in every detail as I go along.

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:5a5b7c28-953e-436a-8cd4-5b25bc096642">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: So Over Budget : And is your budget for these things as accurate as your initial budget?  If so you're in trouble.
Posted by LingerLonger1[/QUOTE]

No. I've talked ahead with my baker, florist, and hair dresser already.


Duds- I will definitely put down some pre ceremony snacks. Thanks.

ETA: Yes I've also added in for gifts.

blgrout

Pre-ceremony snacks!  Why didn't I think of that? 

We're under-budget for our wedding, but we planned on spending about half of what we actually had for our wedding, because I knew I'd overspend.  That said, we're over what I was hoping to spend, but still far under what we have "officially" budgeted for the wedding, if that makes sense. 

OP--I know what you mean about thing being more expensive than you originally intended on.  There are certain things that were more than I orginally thought they would be, like photographers, DJ, etc. 

HobokensFury

We almost tripled our original budget.  But that's a little deceitful because I didn't know how much weddings in my area cost and my original budget wouldn't even pay for a venue.  We currently over 5k of our realistic budget.

Ballet513

I am in the same boat as the OP. Honestly we didn't really sit down and hash out a budget originally and maybe we should have. However, we can afford it so why not do what we want? That doesn't mean we aren't being smart with our choices and are just spending without thought but we are really getting what we want.

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:db8e102a-cb82-4b08-a4b4-755ce6d14b86">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]I am in the same boat as the OP. Honestly we didn't really sit down and hash out a budget originally and maybe we should have. However, we can afford it so why not do what we want? That doesn't mean we aren't being smart with our choices and are just spending without thought but we are really getting what we want.
Posted by Ballet513[/QUOTE]

Pretty much where I am at. At least I am not alone :)  I did get a ton of great stuff from Davids Bridal today for super cheap! (flower girl basket, guest book, ring bearer pillow, cake set, some bridesmaid gifts, two garters, and an aisle runner for 130.00!)

Ballet513

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_over-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:428f9e62-11af-43a3-99c8-1b26d22c523cPost:13fd2bfb-f0d3-4591-b401-b6798a837026">Re: So Over Budget</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: So Over Budget : Pretty much where I am at. At least I am not alone :)  I did get a ton of great stuff from Davids Bridal today for super cheap! (flower girl basket, guest book, ring bearer pillow, cake set, some bridesmaid gifts, two garters, and an aisle runner for 130.00!)
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Definitely not alone!! Good to know about the deals at DB, thanks :)</div>