A Wedding B-B-B-Budget

Engagement season has passed and wedding planning season is well under way. In the beginning stages of planning your wedding, the first topic you consider should be the budget. This may sound very elementary, but it is astounding how many couples start their planning without determining even a range for their budget.

If you are currently in this situation, I highly recommend you read three blog posts that will help put things into perspective for you.

First, Money Matters Not So Much was written by Monica to explain to brides that a budget is inevitable. If you don't talk about it, you are putting yourself at serious risk. Once you set your budget, you have at least some sort of framework in which to start your planning. Prioritization will obviously be necessary with any budget. Visit Monica at The White Box of Wedding Design if you need further inspiration or ideas.

Second, The $28,000 question: Why are we all hypocrites about weddings? was written by Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. Ramit takes a very realistic approach in this article as to how wedding budgets escalate as the planning process progresses. His biggest point made is for those who are currently not planning a wedding, but foresee one happening in the not-too-distant future...Plan Ahead! Start saving this month if you know you are going to be paying for the wedding yourself. This applies not only to weddings, but to cars, houses, furniture, appliances...anything!

Third, Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs wrote Your Wedding Budget Does Not Define You. Don't be ashamed of your budget. Work with what you have and be fabulous no matter what. Liene will show you how.

SO, the moral of the story:

1. If you're engaged, set a budget for your wedding.
2. If you're engaged and live in Milwaukee (or are visiting), check out The White Box. You will certainly NOT regret it.

The Dollar Dance

Whether you had one of these at your wedding reception or not, I don't really care. There are many other blogs that will debate the etiquette and/or audacity of them.

I am here to discuss the post-nuptial dollar dance. The wedding is over and the honeymoon bliss is a fading memory. Two bank accounts have now become one. In this blog I will talk about the many different questions and issues that arise not only for new marriage relationships, but for anyone who wants to do it right.

It's time I put my finance major and love of this topic to use. As we go, please email me any questions you would like me to answer regarding banking, investing, credit, budgeting, and the like.

The purpose of this blog is to stop dancing around the subject of money and to start making educated decisions that will lead to a brighter, more financially independent future.

Let's go!