A wedding might be the first time you'll ever have to go through planning a big event and a wedding budget. You think about the wedding you want, how much you want to spend and then you hope those two match. The problem? The only way you will know how much your dream wedding will cost until you start getting your hands on the planning. The best way to figure this out is to plan ahead and do your research. No matter how big or small your budget is, keep these tips in mind. What kind of wedding you want Do you and your partner want an intimate party, a huge shindig with friends and family or a small picnic/dinner at the park? There are so many ideas, but before you get overwhelmed, don't get in too deep on the details. Focus on figuring out the general feel you want on the wedding. Think about weddings you've attended and put together phrases that describe what you liked about, what you didn't and what you would do differently. The numbers A lot of times it's hard to stick to a number and that's ok. Sit down with your partner and discuss how much money you are ready and willing to spend. Will you have other people contributing financially to your wedding? It's important to also discuss with them how they will be helping so you can add this amount to your budget. Another number to consider is your guest count since this number will have a huge impact on your wedding budget. Sit that and make a list of all the people you plan to invite. Your priorities You and your partner should each pick your top three priorities for the wedding. For example, the music, the food, the photographer, the cake or even serving a late snack. These are important because so that you know where you want to focus energy and money. Write down this list separately and then pick your top three together. Reality check By now, you should have an idea of the number of guests you will have, how much money you will spend and a vision for your wedding. Now, it's where you start finding out if it's all possible. The truth when it comes to weddings is that not always everything you want works out. This is the time to get real and figure out what you will have to sacrifice and compromise to fit your guests and your budget. Review, Guess and Execute Do your research, check if your original plans and your numbers don't match and re-evaluate. Will you be able to spend more money to make your ideal wedding happen? Can you consider another type of venue or the look and feel of the wedding so it fits your budget? Are you willing to DIY or remove some elements to save? There are always ways to save money but if your budget and vision don't match, you have to find ways to level your plan.