When it comes to setting up your budget it is always a good idea to get some real quotes from suppliers for each item. That way you know that you can realistically get what you want although you know with shopping about you may get it for less.

When you get in quotes always allow 10% per year for the prices going up as many services hike up their charges each year. This includes registrar, church fees etc.

Work out how many guests you will be inviting and find out what you can realistically afford per head to make it easier to find a venue within budget and the room size to suit.

Use a spreadsheet to show estimated costs for each item, actual costs, deposits paid and balance left to help you keep track of payments made and what is left to pay. It means there will be no nasty surprises. You can use formulas in excel to do running totals.

Make sure you include all the little things like favours, place cards, ribbons as these little things soon add up

Always allow for a contingency of 10% of your total budget for unexpected costs like price hikes but try not to go over your budget set for each item if you can help it or it will spiral out of control.

Once you have set your budget stick to it!

If you are paying as you go make sure you work out what you can afford each month and work out how long it will take with these payments to pay for everything. You don't want to get to your wedding day and be short of money.

When you go to look at venues find out what extras will be added onto the basic costs before you hand over any money. Will they charge you for corkage, sweetie buffets, chocolate fountains, cutting of cake etc? You don't want to be stung for extra costs.