 TITLE: How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget CONTENT: The first step to crafting your wedding budget is coming up with a number you feel comfortable with spending for the occasion. Starting to plan with an unclear spending limit could lead to overspending since seemingly small expenses can add up quickly.\nWhen making your wedding budget, consider how much you've saved up so far, your wedding timeline (and how much more you may be able to save between now and then), and any outside money, such as from one or both families, you plan to have. Be as specific as possible.\nOnce you have the budget number in mind, write down (or add to a spreadsheet) all of your potential wedding expenses in order of priority. Here are some expenses that may be involved when planning a wedding:\n*   Ceremony space\n*   Reception space\n*   Catering\n*   Photography\n*   Flowers\n*   Wedding attire\n*   Wedding planner\n*   Officiant\n*   Rings\n*   Wedding cake\n*   Transportation\n*   Hotel rooms\n*   Makeup artists\n*   Hairstylists\n*   Videography\n*   Decor\nNext, allocate funds from your budget to different areas of the wedding. You may want to do some price shopping for flowers, catering and venue space at this stage to figure out a ballpark price for each expense.\nIf you don't have the funds to cover every wedding cost on the list, you may have to make a few tough decisions about what's necessary and what you can sacrifice to stay within budget.\nTypically, caterers, photographers and other vendors require a deposit upfront to secure the date, and you pay the balance later. Saving up before the final bill is due can help you avoid relying on credit. To build up your wedding savings, you could consider opening up a separate savings account and contributing to it every week or biweekly when you get paid. END