Saving for the Wedding

[mochamamasita]

So, I decided that instead of just waiting around for my boyfriend to propose, I''m going to focus on saving for the wedding. I was going to various websites and they said that the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is about $20,000. I don''t know about you guys, but I certainly don’t have an extra $20k lying around. So.... I''ve decided that I''ll just focus all of my energy on saving (which I have some control over), rather than worrying about when he''s going to propose (which I have no control over). Anyways, I was wondering if any of you guys have started saving for the wedding even though you’re not engaged yet?

 

[TooPatient]

Great idea.

I have my dress already. Other than that, haven''t saved yet. I need to start. Stuff always seem to come up and get in the way.

 

[UnderBlue]

I''ve thought about it some, but we haven''t included it in any kind of budget.

I''m thinking our budget is going to be about $2k, $5k at the most, so it hopefully won''t be too much of a burden.

 

[Amzizzle]

Sorry to threadjack! but does anyone have any great tips on saving for the wedding?

 

[TooPatient]

Date: 10/22/2009 7:49:15 AM
Author: Amzizzle
Sorry to threadjack! but does anyone have any great tips on saving for the wedding?

I tried to start saving for taxes and B''s birthday present. All I did was stick it into the savings account linked to my checking. (have 2 checking & 2 saving -- this one had been empty and never looked at)

Things were going okay until some expense came up (broken appliance?). Then I took the money out -- just for a few days, I''d put it back as soon as I got my paycheck. (Of course never did)


Linked savings doesn''t do so well. Especially if you do online banking and can see it in your balance.


Maybe a separate savings account that is tucked out of site and NEVER touched (except deposit)?

 

[Amzizzle]

Yeah,I would like to save anywhere from 5-10K.I just need to be good about it.

 

[mochamamasita]

Wow, with all of the people who viewed this post, I''m surprised that we''re the only ones who''ve started saving. Here''s an interesting article that I found about saving for the wedding.... http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/the-28000-question-why-are-we-all-hypocrites-about-weddings/.

Amzizzle: I think the website will answer your question

TooPatient: Oh, that''s exciting that you got your dress. Do you have a picture of it that you could post?

 

[TooPatient]

Date: 10/22/2009 11:45:34 AM
Author: mochamamasita
Wow, with all of the people who viewed this post, I''m surprised that we''re the only ones who''ve started saving. Here''s an interesting article that I found about saving for the wedding.... http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/the-28000-question-why-are-we-all-hypocrites-about-weddings/.

Amzizzle: I think the website will answer your question

TooPatient: Oh, that''s exciting that you got your dress. Do you have a picture of it that you could post?

My grandmother bought it before she died. She never got to see it on me. It is so beautiful. (even though it needs to be cleaned and fitted)

I''ll post pics as soon as I can get my mother to come visit again.

 

[lilyfoot]

Well, we don''t plan on having a traditional wedding.

We''re doing a JOP ceremony here, and we''ve been kicking around the idea of doing a ceremony (just me & him) on our honeymoon as well.

We put money into savings every week, so there''s not saving going on specifically for a wedding, but rather it''s for our future.

 

[AustenNut]

I''m a saver by nature, so I just automatically sock money away. I haven''t though, started a special "wedding" fund, though I''m not planning on having an expensive wedding. I''m thinking around $5k, definitely no more than $10k. And my family may also donate to the cause. But if something occurs and I don''t have the budget that I envision, then I''ll just simply the wedding until it''s something that I can comfortably afford alone.

 

[mochamamasita]

TooPatient: Awww, that''s so sweet that she bought it for you. I''m sorry that she passed away, but I''m glad that she''ll still be able to be a part of your special day.

 

[laughwithme]

I was in this position at one time, as well. I knew we had a $20k+ expense looming in the future, and it''s definitely intimidating. I put together this really intense spreadsheet, where I listed every paycheck for the next 12 months and exactly how much would come out of it for expenses. In about 6 months, I was able to save about $3k working on my own and supporting myself. I had basic cable, cooked all my meals at home, brought a brown-bag lunch, and basically lived very frugally. Things got a lot easier when FI started working, as we now live on his income and mine goes entirely to savings. I guess my point is, start a budget that is realistic and cut out all discretionary spending...that is how I was able to start saving!

 

[sillyberry]

I''ve been meaning to set up an ING account for some time, but never managed...

So I just set one up! I probably won''t transfer much monthly until I''m out of law school and working, but it will be nice watch it grow!

 

[Sam82]

BF and I have a very tight budget of $5,000, which will not include our wedding rings. Also, the dress will be bought by my mother. We will not start saving until we are officially engaged. When we open up the wedding account, I''ll probably put about $1,500 to get us started. That''s still a lot less than he is paying for the e-ring.

 

[vc10um]

I''m officially going to start saving after the holidays!

I know I''ll be getting a generous gift from my mom...she set aside money for my wedding (as well as my sister''s) when we were both in High School, so I have that as a jumping off point, and she''s also offered to buy my dress and shoes. As of Wednesday, A has asked my mom for permission to marry me (and she gladly gave it!) so it''s now just a matter of time until it''s official. If he hasn''t asked by the holidays, it will be within a few months after that, so I''m eyeing June 2011 for our wedding (EEEEEK!!!) and that should give me plenty of time to save up the difference to have the wedding I want!

 

[UnderBlue]

Eating in and cooking for yourself is definitely a big way to save money. The more in the vegetarian camp you eat the better for your budget too. Look at your recent grocery bill, the most expensive things are the cheeses, meats, milk and eggs. We usually make huge batches of recipes and then have 4-6 servings we can put in the freezer for later. Little cooking now has a big pay off later.