When the decision has been made to tie the knot, it can be an exciting time. While it can be fun to bask in the well-wishes that come along with an engagement, you also need to start planning for the big day. One important aspect to focus on when first setting out is your budget. Though it can be frustrating, you need to have a clear idea of your financial situation before you can break ground and start putting together the details of your wedding.

Working with your existing finances can produce a bit of stress, but looking at what you can afford to spend is a crucial aspect of planning. Look at these tips and find a practical way of budgeting that works for you.

Out With the Old

Debt is a part of life for most people. From student loans to credit cards, debt has a way of accruing as the years carry on. While it might be commonplace, having too much debt attached to your name can be a big hindrance when it comes to your nuptials. Specifically, you want to make sure your credit score is in a good place. It stands to reason you’ll need to use your credit cards for wedding-related purchases.

Check your credit score and see your standing. If the number isn’t where you’d like it to be, see if you can make any adjustments to your lifestyle that will help improve it. Paying down your debts as much as possible is a practical way to get started. The more you pay down your credit debt, the more of your balance you will be able to apply to planning your wedding. When you and your partner both do this, it can make a world of difference with your budget moving forward.

Lower Your Expenses

Next, you want to look at what your current monthly expenses entail. For most couples, the biggest financial burdens will be rent or monthly mortgage payments, utility bills, phone payments, car payments, and insurance payments, as well as necessities like food. While you might not be able to eliminate most of your monthly bills from the equation, you can definitely make some helpful adjustments to your budget in regard to how you are spending your income each month. The biggest area to focus on is the way you spend your funds on food.

Currently, more couples are opting to eat out or order in. While it can be nice to patronize local businesses and enjoy favorite dishes, this tends to eat away at a budget in no time. If you and your partner like to dine out regularly, then you need to reevaluate your habits before tying the knot. Start making more meals at home and reserve going out as a once-a-month event. This will help you save a nice chunk of change and even let you and your partner bond a bit in the kitchen.

Plan It Out

Finally, it can be useful to come up with a list of the most expensive aspects of your coming wedding. Write down all of the important and costly features, and start coming up with a plan based off of your monthly income. This will help you see what you can afford on your own, what you might need help paying for, and what is too much of a financial burden to keep included.

Paying for a wedding can be a complicated endeavor. Luckily, it is a lot easier to take on when you have a general idea of how to keep control of your budget by paying off debts, setting aside funds, and learning what aspects of your big day are worth spending the money on.