create a wedding budget spreadsheet
It's interesting:"They say that a wedding is a sapling that grows into a mighty tree called marriage . Well ... In a way, the jubilation of today's wedding reminds me of the recent ...""
Creating a dream day can be done if you are patient, optimistic and, above all, organized. There are many details to consider when you create a wedding. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, scattered and ready to throw in the towel. A wedding budget spreadsheet, however, can relieve a lot of that stress.
Things You'll Need
- Spreadsheet or word-processing program
Instructions
Create Your Document
1
Open up your computer's spreadsheet program. If you have Microsoft office, simply open up a new document, and, instead of choosing a word-processing document, choose an XL spreadsheet. If you are unsure where to find a spreadsheet program on your computer, enter "spreadsheet" into the search function.
2
Label the columns. The first column will be titled, "item." The second column's title should be "estimated cost," and the third column's title should be "actual cost." The fourth column can be "notes."
3
Label your rows. Take the first box on the left under "item," and fill it in with "venue," which is where you will be holding your wedding. Then, under "venue," continue to list all of the expenses of your wedding, including the following (if appropriate): apparel, gifts for bridesmaids, music, bouquets, announcements, invitations, reception meals, reception-hall rental fees, transportation costs and any others that may apply to your wedding.
4
Make the spreadsheet longer than you think you will need. There will always be expenses that you don't think of until you are in the throes of planning, so leave a few blank rows at the bottom of the chart.
Fill in the Chart
5
Update the chart each time you get an estimated cost. You may want to enter the name of the person giving you the cost estimate in the "notes" column, so you have a go-to contact in case of any disagreements later.
6
Print the chart and carry it with you when you are out looking at dresses, flowers, sites, invitations and other wedding details. Fill in the appropriate amounts on the chart, and update the electronic version when you get home. It also helps to have wedding professionals, such as the caterers or florists you may be working with, glance at the chart and offer their opinions on whether anything is missing.
7
Keep a running tally at the bottom of your spreadsheet, so you always know what the ballpark total is. Twenty reasonably priced items can still blow a budget, so have an idea of what you are willing to economize on or even cut out of the wedding if push comes to shove.
Tips &- Warnings
Not only does a wedding budget spreadsheet keep you from breaking the bank, but it's also a handy list of everything that needs to be taken care of for the wedding. If you want, you can add an additional column to your spreadsheet that lists the names of any friends you may have delegated certain tasks to.
If you have no spreadsheet application, simply open a word-processing document and create a table with four columns across and at least 20 down.
Tags: budget spreadsheet, wedding budget, wedding budget spreadsheet, create wedding, your wedding, column titleSource: www.ehow.com
