With the average engagement period of 14 months, young couples may feel pressured to save up for both big-ticket events in a short period of time. Here are a few financial planning tips we at DFW Properties wanted to provide so you and your partner can strategically save for the wedding and home you both have always dreamed of:
1. Choose a Priority
With two large costs looming on the horizon, you and your partner need to sit down and decide if one takes priority over the other. If it’s the house, then plan for a smaller wedding or a nuptial celebration later on down the road.
“I’ve worked with a lot of couples who have saved for both, and it’s because one partner wants the wedding and the other partner wants the house,” says Kristin Carleton, a financial advisor with Towne Investment Group. “When you have one partner who really plans for the house and the other who is planning for the wedding, you end up trying to do both at the same time.
“You generally have to make a choice,” Carleton adds. “It’s very difficult to save for a big wedding and a large down payment at the same time.”
2. Set a Budget
First and foremost, you and your partner need to sit down and set a realistic budget for both the wedding and the house, so you know the exact amount you need to save.
“Part of that process should be talking to a mortgage broker or banker to find out what program you can fit into and how much of a down payment you want to put down on a house,” says Carleton.
Inquire with your mortgage broker on what terms you and your partner qualify for in a mortgage loan—for example, whether you need to put down 20 percent, or if you can put down 5 percent because you qualify for a first-time homebuyer program.
If family members are helping out with the wedding costs or down payment, be clear with them and communicate the amount of money that you will need.
3. Factor in Personal Finances
Once you have set your wedding and house budgets, organize your personal financial budget. Figure out how much you and your partner should spend and save each month, along with where you can make sacrifices.
Make sure that you are able to pay for your necessities (such as rent, utility bills and groceries), and consider what you can live without. This may mean no more happy hours with friends, Friday night dates or romantic weekend getaways until after the wedding and the move.
4. Open Savings Accounts
To stay organized, open two different savings accounts: one for the wedding and the other for your down payment.
Separate accounts will ensure that you and your partner are saving money consistently from month to month. Unlike a down payment, which is a one-time expense, a wedding requires lots of smaller expenses that add up quickly—everything from the dress to the catering fees to the wedding rings. Giving your wedding its own savings account allows you to keep an eye on how much you’ve spent so far.
6. Hold Yourself Accountable
After planning out your budget and timeline, you both need to keep each other on track.
“This is a really good exercise for couples to start communicating frequently,” says Carleton. In other words, it’s perfect practice for marriage.
“It’s a good way to set goals and see how you do working towards a big goal,” Carleton adds.
Carleton advises scheduling monthly check-ins with your partner to look at your financial progress. She also suggests meeting with a financial advisor each quarter to make sure you are on track.
“I think a financial planner is the best person to keep you accountable during this time,” she says. Finding a financial advisor who can work closely with your mortgage broker is also important for problem-solving when you’re ready to purchase a home.
Additionally, budgeting apps like Mint and computer programs like Quicken are easy-to-use tools that can keep you on track toward your financial goal.
“The last thing I would say in terms of keeping people accountable is to make sure that you are on the same page,” says Carleton. “I think it’s important that each person gets spending money built into the budget. Spend it with no questions asked, and make sure your budget is realistic.”
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