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Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most memorable events of your life so, of course, you want to do it up right. That doesn't mean you should break the bank in the process of planning for your wedding day. It's important to sit down and work out at least the rudimentary outline of a budget before any planning begins.

By some estimates the cost of an "average" wedding these days is between $25,000 and $30,000. Whether your wedding is somewhere out in the stratosphere in terms of cost or a more scaled down version of this life-changing day, you'll want to develop a general budget and plan on sticking closely to it. After all, the wedding day, unquestionably a huge stepping stone on your life's path, is just one day. You don't want to go into debt for years afterward just because expenses got out of control.

The first step to determining how much you're willing to spend is to assess your financial situation. Are you and your intended going to foot the entire bill? Many couples do these days. Will there be money available from parents or grandparents to help defray some of the costs? Don't make assumptions that are not backed up with facts and figures. Even then, assume your estimates are probably on the low side and factor in a little more for a cushion.

Next, list those features of the wedding that you must have to make your dream come true. Does your perfect wedding day require an elaborate wedding gown? A huge reception with an open bar? An outdoor setting in a spring garden? Decide what you must have and what you may be willing to forego for the sake of economy. Perhaps your mother's wedding gown will fit you and the symbolism of walking down the aisle in her dress makes you feel honored and proud. This decision alone can save hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars.

Develop a guest list that includes only those people who really matter to you. Scratch distant cousins, casual acquaintances from the workplace or anyone you haven't communicated with in the last five years from the list. Ditto for neighbors on the street where you grew up and your old college roommate.

Contact at least three service providers for every aspect of the big day. Compare menu prices from different caterers; preview the bands you are considering; check out a few reception halls. Compare what you get with what it costs. You're not necessarily looking for the cheapest option here so much as the best value for the money. The best strategy to working up a fair contract with a wedding supplier to have two or three competitive quotes at your disposal.

Once you've established how you want to spend the money you have to work with, write out your budgetary guidelines on paper. Awareness of the limitations of how far your money will go is an important step in controlling your spending. When you see that you are about to exceed your available funds in one area it's time to put on the brakes. If you have to downgrade the menu options, have a cash bar instead of an open one, or trim the guest list, do it. Rework your plans until what you want lines up closely with what you have to spend. The happiness of your wedding day should not be overshadowed with the potential of years of debt trying to pay it off.

Learn more about this author, Leann Zotis.
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