The most important thing when you’re sitting down to create your wedding budget is to think about your overall vision for your wedding. What do you want your guests to remember and take away from your big day? What images come to mind when you think about it? This will drive how you decide to spend your money. Maybe the dress is the most important thing to you, then that will be a category that you decide to splurge on to make sure it is absolutely perfect. Maybe the food is what you want to be the focal point of the day or perhaps it’s the décor and the ambiance you want to stand out. Whatever you decide, make sure you plan and budget accordingly. My personal advice, pick three categories that are most important to you. Then pick three categories that you can save a little money on by budgeting to accommodate accordingly. The rest will fall into place. However you decide to go about starting your budget, it is important to start planning with a goal in mind. This will make sure that everything is accounted for and nothing shows up at the last minute as a surprise expense. Start with a checklist! Check out the basic categories outlined below however feel free to make it your own as it is your big day. Personalization is key to make your wedding as unique and special as the two of you.