If you are expecting a baby and are also planning a wedding, then there are some things you need to do to prepare your budget. The market size of the wedding industry by revenue in America is $70.3 billion in 2023 alone! Keep these budget tips in mind before you plan your wedding.
1. Know Your Wedding Budget
Before you start preparing the budget for your wedding, know exactly how much you have to spend so that you don’t exceed that number. That could mean that you have to give up a lot of the frills and more expensive items that you were considering, but you don’t want to be wedding-poor after the event. One of the biggest expenses is the rental property. Consider moving the wedding to a public place where you don’t have a large cover fee to pay.
Another way to stay within the wedding budget is to limit the spread of food for guests. If you have a wedding in the afternoon and not during a normal dinner time, you can get away with offering finger foods and small self-serve dishes instead of large dinners and full-course meals.
2. Rent a Dress and Suit
One of the biggest expenses of most weddings is the wedding dress purchase. Instead of just suit rentals on that day, take advantage of dress rentals so that you don’t have much money invested in the dress. You can wear it for the ceremony, then change it for the reception after the pictures are over. You will want something more comfortable anyway for this part of the wedding, and you will save thousands on this expense.
3. Separate Your Budget for Your Baby
Once you know that you’re planning a wedding and a baby simultaneously, establish a separate budget for your baby. They should take most of the savings since they will have more expenses over time. Separating this account from the one you use for the wedding is a good idea so the funds aren’t confused. If you put them all in the same place, you could accidentally go over the wedding budget and not have enough for the baby.
Thousands of women attempt to be surrogates every year, and you may be using one through a surrogacy agency. Since this is a costly process, keep all the costs in mind as you establish a wedding budget and strategize what you will need as new parents, too.
4. Secure a Babysitter or Nanny
If your baby will be born by the time you have the wedding, it is a good idea to have a babysitter or nanny available throughout the day. It will be hard to be away, and you may want the baby as a part of the wedding party. Make sure that person knows this will be an all-day job and they will see to the baby’s needs during the prepping, ceremony, and reception.
5. Make Your Own Bouquets
Another one of the largest expenses that go into wedding budgets are flowers and bouquets. These bouquets have a long history in weddings, as wedding bouquets in 19th century England are similar to the ones used today. To fit your wedding budget, consider purchasing faux flowers from your local craft stores, and build your bouquet. You can do this as a fun bonding experience with family members and your wedding party. These bouquets will stay in good condition, no matter how early you make them, and you can take them home to use around your home and the nursery long after the wedding is over.
Whether you are having your own baby or acting as a surrogate, you can easily plan a wedding and have a baby at the same time. With these budgeting tips, you will find that you can separate the costs and make things more simple and affordable so that you aren’t having too much financial stress during this time. Take advantage of these options and have the best big day possible with your family.