Saving for a wedding, without paying everything at the last minute.

How much to put aside?

Change the amount and the date: the pace follows.

What the wedding costs

List the items before setting the amount:

• the venue and the caterer, often the biggest share;
• the outfits and the rings;
• the photographer, music, flowers, invitations;
• guests’ accommodation, if you are covering it;
• a margin of about 10% for the unexpected.

The honeymoon makes a good goal of its own: it has its own date.

Choosing the date

Deposits come early: the venue, the caterer and the photographer are often booked a year ahead, against a deposit. The balance is usually paid in the weeks before.

So set the goal’s date at the suppliers’ last payment, not the wedding day. And count the deposits already paid as progress.

Keeping the pace

1. As a couple, one goal: agree on who notes the progress, so it is all in one place.
2. A gift, a bonus: note it the same day, it brings the departure closer.
3. If the budget grows along the way, change the amount: the pace is worked out again, without pretending to be on time.

An example

€9,000 in 18 months is €500 a month. Halfway there, €4,500 should be put aside: that is when you know whether you are on time.

How much should you save each month?