Image by Fennel & Fox Photography via Carla & Matt’s Glamorous St Kilda Wedding

3 ways to kick your finances into gear before your wedding

If you’re anything like the average person, your wedding will most likely be the most expensive event you’ll ever host. Making sure your finances are in a good place before your wedding is one of the most important parts of the wedding planning process.

With a whole lot of different expenses to budget for, you’ll want to feel prepared. Here are three things you can do to help stick to your plan so that you can enjoy your big day without the financial hangover afterwards.

Image by Black Bird Tale via Candice & Alex’s Classic Romantic Wedding At Aravina Estate

Save and then save some more

The obvious thing to do before your wedding is save. As a ballpark figure, you want to be saving around 10-20% of your income/s. However, don’t let your savings sit in an everyday transaction account. With wedding planning generally taking at least six months, let interest build up in a high interest savings account so that you can grow your savings balance even more. You can also set up an automatic transfer from your everyday transaction account to your savings account every time you get paid so that you don’t have to think about it.

You should also consider having an emergency fund in place. Set aside three months’ worth of savings on top of your regular wedding savings as a “rainy day” fund in case something goes wrong. Although it will mean you have to save more, having a security blanket in place is absolutely crucial for newlyweds.

Image by Michael Briggs Photography via Kristy & Damian’s Gorgeous Country Wedding At Flowerdale Estate

Get help from friends and family

While you don’t want to assume that your parents or loved ones will be able to help you out financially, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Even if they can’t give you a large sum of money outright, they may be willing to give you a loan. That way, you can save yourself the stress of having to pay interest to a bank.

You might also be able to get friends and family members to help you with photography, makeup, decor or even the cake. A budding photographer or baker might be more than happy to help you out in exchange for building their portfolio. You can save heaps on wedding expenses this way.

Image by Lucie Zeka via Boho Country Wedding Style

Use templates, tools and apps

The last thing to do is remember that you don’t have to do this all on your own. Wedding planning may have gotten a little more complicated in some aspects, but there are definitely more tools available now than ever before.

For instance, try using a free wedding planning app such as WeddingHappy, or make your own budgeting spreadsheet to keep organised. Don’t forget all the different resources that you can find online like the The Colour Book! And if you’re willing to spend a little money to save in the long run, sites like Etsy have a wide variety of tools and templates available for you to use.

Image by Kevin Lue via Emily & Tim’s Classic Blue Mountains Wedding

At the end of the day, you want to feel comfortable enough financially to enjoy your big day without stressing out over how you’ll make ends meet. Use these tips to ensure that your wedding goes off without a hitch.

Ms Zigzag says: There’s no fun in planning a wedding that is way out of your budget and one that is going to cause you to pull your hair out. Work within your budget and forego the things you really don’t need. Thanks Bessie for these handy tips! 

About Bessie Hassan: Bessie Hassan is a Money Expert at finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything. Bessie is an experienced commentator who often appears on national radio, TV, and throughout online publications sharing her best money-saving tips and advice. Bessie is passionate about helping people improve their personal finances, particularly during milestones throughout their life, such as their wedding day.