Wedding Planning Guide That Will Support Your Financial Wellness

Wedding website Bridestory.com reports that a majority of Filipino couples are engaged for 1 to 2 years before their wedding. Once you begin checking things off your wedding to-do list you’ll realize why: the best wedding vendors are usually booked out a year in advance. It pays to get a head start and give yourself more time for planning.

Start by creating a list of wedding priorities in order of importance. Without exception, the venue should be at the top of your list since many other things depend on where you get married. The rest of the list will be different for every couple. Some people think that delicious food can make or break a wedding, others want only the best photos to remember their special day by.

Once you’ve secured a venue, research and book vendors related to the next two items on your priority list. Having the top three priorities of your wedding squared away early will let you relax and take more time sorting the rest of the details.

Many couples say that creating a budget and sticking with it can be a top contributor to wedding-related stress. Balancing your dream wedding with financial realities can be tricky, but careful and early planning can help you get around roadblocks.

First, determine who will pay for the wedding. If family members have offered to pay, ask them to commit to a specific amount so you know what you’re working with. If you will be paying for your own wedding – or if you’d like to supplement what your family has offered to cover – decide how much you and your partner can contribute between now and the wedding date.

Once you have a set budget, pull out that priority list and allocate your funds accordingly, spending more on things that are important to you and compromising on items lower on the list. Rather than expanding your budget, find ways to adjust your costs.

Become a AIA Vitality member and see how our rewards partners can help with your budget. Perhaps our PAL partnership can get you to a destination venue for less, or our discount with Marriott hotels can lower costs on accommodations.

Throughout the planning process, keep in mind that the wedding is only the beginning of your life together and not the end goal. Going deep into debt or depleting long-term savings are some mistakes that couples make to fund their wedding. To stay within budget, constantly ask yourself if you would rather be happy for one day or have a financially healthy start to a lifelong marriage.

Aside from getting a head start on booking vendors, it pays to start early when it comes to wedding fitness. Too many brides starve themselves the weeks right before their wedding thinking it will help them look their best. When you throw hunger on top of all the other stressors, it’s no wonder so many brides turn into Bridezilla.

A slow and steady approach will help you achieve your best self without unleashing the 'hangry' monster inside. At least six months before your wedding, book a nutrition consultation and fitness assessment at Gold’s Gym through the AIA Vitality rewards program. Discuss the fitness and weight goals you’d like to hit for your wedding, and create a plan to get there. Leverage AIA Vitality's partner discounts on items such as a Gold’s Gym membership and a Garmin fitness tracker to help you reach your goals.

Three words to help you maintain your emotional well-being while planning a wedding: delegate, delegate, delegate. If you can afford a wedding coordinator, whether for the whole wedding planning process or just for the wedding day as a more affordable option, then by all means hire one. But family, friends, ninongs and ninangs can also provide a huge amount of help for free; they may even offer financial help. Seek out volunteers and distribute responsibilities wisely among them.

Choose loved ones that you know are responsible and give them tasks that play to their strengths. Check up on them every few weeks to make sure things are getting done, and so there are no surprises on the big day. Finally, learn to let go if things aren’t exactly to your liking. Just think that it’s better that things get done imperfectly rather than not get done at all.

Spending a year or more focused on one thing can take its toll on a couple and the people around them. Every so often, taking a break from wedding planning will help you keep things in perspective and help energize your loved ones to keep helping along the way. A date night with your fiancé where you promise not to talk about the wedding can do wonders.

AIA Vitality is a wellness program that rewards a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy an upfront 20% additional life coverage and supplementary benefits by making healthy choices. Plus, avail of discounts from a range of partners as a reward for living healthy.

To find out how you can take the first step in living longer, healthier, and better, check the BPI AIA Wellness Series, and pick up more tips about getting married.