{ Tasks } The Budget

Know what this is?

It's about the third version of a budget I've created. I think this one is going to work! I think that it's a little depressing how much weddings cost, but at least by tracking our expenses we can see where we are at and what we have left of our budget. We can make better choices when we book vendors and track what and how much has been paid.

At first, I decided not to create a budget tracking tool. I figured we would just wing it and plan as we went. Pfft! Who needs a budget? We would be able to just sort of keep track in our head of what we'd spent so far, right?... HA! Now, three months into planning... I realized the Type-A monster in me just would never be satisfied with that.

Yes, it's the first task after getting your parents and future in-laws to meet... And it is one that will constantly need re-working. I spent a lot of time pulling budget tips and info from The Knot and Wedding Wire and the books I've purchased on wedding planning... Not to mention scouring the message boards on Wedding Bee! And after a full night of hard work... ta da! Out came our spreadsheet. Personalized to us and what elements we will need for our wedding.

I look forward to using this spreadsheet to track our everything... I also dread it a little. I know the first bug purchase is going to instantly make me feel like I can't afford anything else and make my freak out a little about 'all the other things we need to buy yet!' But I think having this done and in place early on will help prevent any major over spending or even... under spending (can you under spend?)

I'm currently tracking our actual expenses, how much is left in our base budget, and how much we are paying for 'out of pocket' (I'm not counting my dress toward our baseline budget, I bought that for me!). I think it will help me keep my DIY spending in line, too! I know I can go a little overboard when it comes to crafting. I have so many good ideas... Just not enough time or money to make them all come to life!

Hopefully working with this tool will help us have the wedding we love at the budget we can afford.

Did you create a formal budget to track your spending? How did you count your costs and track your purchases? Did your budget include your personal splurges or did you keep those separate?

{ Planning } Getting Back on Track

Welcome to 2012! You know… this means it’s 7 months until the wedding. Wow. How did that happen? The holidays certainly made a lot of time zoom by.

Seven months… I got to thinking. I should probably check in on the check lists in my books! What am I behind in (because I know that I certainly am behind in at least a bit of planning…) So far the list doesn't look too bad:

1. Draw up a guest list
   Uuuugh the guest list. Does this ever really get set in stone? I'm about 2/3 done collecting names and addresses and I just sort of gave up until the holidays were over. We'll call it a half check.
2. Determine a budget
   The budget was another painful but easy task. I think we have a firm idea of what we are willing to put into the event, and my spreadsheet it helping track all spending so we know if and when we go over budget on anything. So far, a nice check in the box.
   
3. Get engagement ring appraised and insured
   I let this one slide, even though it was, like, the second task in my wedding planning guides. Carl and I have an appointment with an independent appraiser for the 11th of this month, so we can call this in process.
4. Set wedding date
   Well, we all know the saga that was setting the wedding date, so we can check this off the list for certain. It's nice to have a solid date that is ours... It has made planning and focusing so much easier.
5. Book venue for ceremony and receptionWe, at least partially, let our venue determine our date. There was no use in getting our hearts set on a place when our date might not have even been available, so we went looking with an open mind. We're booked at the venue for our ceremony and reception, so that's another check!
6. Hire a photographer
   The good news is that we have a contract in hand to sign with Tracey Joy Photography. I was sort of stressed trying to find a professional wedding photog, but Tracey was referred to me by one of my bridesmaids. We clicked on the phone, did a photo session with her and the rest is history. Check!
7. Book and officiant
   There is some debate still open on this. Perhaps we want to have a friend get ordained and officiate. Perhaps the pastor from my family's church whom I used to babysit for should be the officiant... There are lingering thoughts in the air on this one, so really that means that nothing has been decided at all.
8. Choose bridal partyAaaall done. This one was easy-peasy!
   
9. Book rooms at hotels for out of town guestsYou know... I keep saying I'm going to call the hotels, and then I don't. I hate phones. I hate calling people. This task seems hard yet so very simple. Mer.
10. Finalize guest list
    -sigh- see #1.
11. Start designing invitationsI have ideas. Some thoughts. A vague inkling... Does that count?
12. Choose save the date cards
    While I am determined to make them, I really like the idea, at this point, or ordering them. We want to get them out by the end of the month or at least before the end of February, so I guess I better focus on this one. Knowing people's addresses might help...
13. Book DJ for reception
    We know who we want to book. Meet our DJ:
    
    
    

    Ok, crazy cat lady jokes aside, we do need to sit down and just send in our request for the DJ company. Another one that we keep saying we are going to do and then we just never seem to get around to...
14. Begin looking at wedding gowns
    Done! So very done. I was done with this before we even had a date and a venue.
    
    
    Now it's just time to focus and get back on the planning train. Who's with me? Hopefully with the time I have now that he holidays are over, I will be able to get a move on some of these things. I would hate to fall too far behind and just end up stressing myself out more. I know me. I do that to me a lot. Lets add that to the list -- don't stress myself out. Think it'll work?
    
    

{ Tasks } Making the Lists

I feel a little like Santa right now…
 

By that, I mean I’m making lists and checking them twice. Ok, three, maybe four… All right, all right FIVE times. I am in a strange cycle of making and remaking the same lists over and over again. Vendors that still need to be secured (cake!), out standing (not outstanding :P) DIY projects. Upcoming meetings. Tasks that haven’t been taken care of (picking readings… writing ceremony… re-checking the budget).

I sort of feel like I am making a list to double check the list and the last item on the list is to triple check the list.

Yikes! 86 days to go and it’s all starting to move so, so fast!