Rule #2: Prioritize

This is something that I have known since before I was old enough to even be thinking about planning a wedding. My mom told me this rule: You pick one or two things that you find most important -- that's where you spend your money. Not all of it, obviously, but those one or two things are the areas of your wedding to which you devote more of your budget than maybe the normal budget percentages call for, and maybe the places in your budget that you don't work so hard to find the best deal or the DIY option. On the flip side, the other areas are the areas in which you are going to have to be prepared to sacrifice.

For example, I've known for years that my splurge was going to be my dress. I never really got that "perfect" prom dress experience that so many girls get in high school, so I didn't want to settle for anything less than "perfect" for my wedding dress because of the cost. Is that kind of selfish? Maybe. Did it mean that I spent $3,000 on my dress? No. I still obviously went to a place that I knew I could afford (David's Bridal!) and told them my budget. But I wasn't quite so concerned about trying to fight tooth and nail for the best, lowest price for my dress, like searching the thrift store for my wedding dress or buying off of ebay, which are some options that budget brides like to search.

The flip side of this is a little bit harder. You have to realize that on a wedding with a tiny budget, most of the aspects of your wedding won't be done in the traditional, professional way that most brides have things done. Thankfully, that doesn't mean it won't be any less beautiful. Just think about what you really want to get out of your wedding. First of all, you want to get married. Duh. If that's accomplished, it doesn't matter how much money you spent. But what are the important things to you? Maybe it's that your guests have a great party -- you'll probably be wanting to focus your budget on a professional DJ, good food and drinks, and a comfortable venue with the atmosphere you want. Maybe it's the lasting memories -- you'll probably want to avoid skimping on a good photographer and videographer, and spend money on things that will end up in photographs that will be hanging on your wall, like your dress or your flowers. Is it necessary to spend $500 to get programs professionally printed? Not for me -- that's something that is super simple to do on your own. Is it necessary to pay hundreds of dollars for a 5 mile limo ride between your venues and hotel? Not for me. That's just one detail in a huge day that becomes insignificant when I think of what is really important.

Prioritizing is key. What are the most important things that you will remember about the day? What will your kids be looking at in 20 years? That's for you to decide. Will you still be married to the love of your life at the end of the day, whether you spent $5,000 or $30,000? Yes. And that is the most beautiful decision of all.