It is helpful to keep in mind that the more time you have to plan your wedding (and hence the longer your engagement) the less stress you are going to feel as the big day approaches. Nothing spikes blood pressure like last-minute planning.
But creating adequate time to plan will also give you adequate time to save for your wedding—and to formulate a financial outline that can guide you through the months preceding the wedding day.
Likewise, it is helpful to keep in mind that a wedding is also a gathering of your family and friends—the people you love the most. This realization can be a source of strength and comfort to you as you think about your wedding day. There is no need to be nervous in the company of those who love you. And where love is found, there is no need to prove yourself to others, to put on airs, or to buy the favor of those who are closest to you.
Concentrate on the people rather than the “stuff” and you’ll be much happier for it. Don’t allow your purchasing power to overtake your people power—just be yourself in your wedding plans and don’t feel that you have to prove anything through the gown you select, the flowers you choose, or the band or DJ you hire.
What Matters to You
It is helpful to keep in mind that the more time you have to plan your wedding (and hence the longer your engagement) the less stress you are going to feel as the big day approaches. Nothing spikes blood pressure like last-minute planning.
But creating adequate time to plan will also give you adequate time to save for your wedding—and to formulate a financial outline that can guide you through the months preceding the wedding day.
Likewise, it is helpful to keep in mind that a wedding is also a gathering of your family and friends—the people you love the most. This realization can be a source of strength and comfort to you as you think about your wedding day. There is no need to be nervous in the company of those who love you. And where love is found, there is no need to prove yourself to others, to put on airs, or to buy the favor of those who are closest to you.
Concentrate on the people rather than the “stuff” and you’ll be much happier for it. Don’t allow your purchasing power to overtake your people power—just be yourself in your wedding plans and don’t feel that you have to prove anything through the gown you select, the flowers you choose, or the band or DJ you hire.
And don’t forget that a wedding is also a sacred moment. I like to remind couples that a wedding—at its foundation—is actually rather simple. A wedding is an invitation offered by a bride and groom, requesting the presence of their friends and family as they join in union before god—usually in a church or synagogue.
keep these things in mind as you plan your wedding. Or, rather, plan your wedding with these things in mind. These considerations will serve you well in the years to come.
Just ask Frank and Elly. About a year before their wedding, Elly started planning
the special day. She created a list of accessories that needed to be purchased—including her dress, the flowers, and the candles—but quickly became overwhelmed by the myriad of possibilities for the wedding ceremony and the reception. Although she had a good job as an elementary teacher in a public school, her income level was anything but extravagant, and because she was going to be paying for most of the wedding expenses herself she felt limited in her ability to produce the kind of wedding others might expect.
She was also bombarded by friends and family—all well-meaning— who insisted that she consider a particular reception hall, a caterer, or a jeweler. everyone seemed to have an opinion about every aspect of the wedding—as if cost was of no concern at all.
Elly “re-created” her list. This time, however, she began with other considerations in mind (other than just the “stuff” of the wedding). She asked questions like:
What aspects of the wedding are most important to me?
How many guests must I invite?
How can I create a simple yet elegant wedding?
How can I have the wedding of my dreams without sacrificing my future?
How can I get the most wedding for my budget?
Through careful planning, Elly was able to save enough money
to maximize her wedding plans and even include a few extras that she didn’t think possible. Moreover, she actually returned home after the honeymoon debt-free.
Perhaps, like Elly, you too have a desire to make the most of your wedding without jeopardizing your future. But you wonder… how can I do it? Is there a plan that I can follow?
The answer is Yes! As you explore the following chapters you’ll discover that you can
have the wedding of your dreams and—at the end of the day—maybe even a little cash left over in your bank account. And really, wouldn’t that be a grand way to begin your marriage? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a financial cushion, rather than a financial burden, as you enter into your honeymoon year?
There is a way.
