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It’s a nice initial thought that you’ll set a wedding budget and stick to it. But what you’ll find happening, slowly but surely, is that the more and more you plan your wedding, the more things you’ll find to spend money on — and you’ll start to see that vendors were much more expensive than you ever thought. So before you rip up that wedding budget you set and head down the road of wedding debt, it’s time to get back on track with your wedding spending. Here are four ways to hold yourself accountable with your wedding budget and keep it in check.
1. Reward Yourself
Wedding planning can be dauntingly stressful, especially when you’re trying to negotiate with vendors and find the right ones who fit into your budget. Make yourself a promise that if you stick to your budget, every few months you’ll reward yourself with a trip to a spa or a dinner at your favorite restaurant. Give yourself little incentives to stay on track.
2. Up the Stakes
Pick one big wedding must-have that may cost a little more than you can afford. Tell yourself that if you find a way to go under budget with everything else, that you’ll splurge on that one wedding must-have item, whether it’s a 7-piece wedding band or a high-tech photo booth.
3. Involve Someone Else
Get an accountability buddy who will review your budget and make sure you are staying on track. Maybe it’s a former bride who can shed some insight — or a financially savvy family member.
4. Save Even More As You Go
Try to start a side fund of little savings along the way. Perhaps cut out daily trips to the coffee shop or expensive concert tickets and use that money to help pad your wedding budget when you go over here and there.
See More: How to Get the Wedding Photographer of Your Dreams (and Still Stay in Budget)
Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.